Election Banners

Promote Your Candidate With Custom Election Banners

Election banners are a staple in any political campaign. Banners let you promote a candidate or cause in areas with high foot traffic, such as yards, street corners, and building entrances.

If you’re running for office, political banners remain an excellent way to promote your candidacy or announce upcoming rallies. They also boost name recognition: in a study we conducted in 2016, we found that 40% of respondents first learn of a local candidate through a sign.

How to Create Effective Political Signs and Banners

When running for office or campaigning for a cause, custom banners can be one of your most important promotional tools. Used correctly, they effectively get your message out and drum up support for your cause or candidate.

Here are a few tips on how you can design useful political signs and banners:

Keep it simple. Too much text or graphics can be overwhelming and drown out your message. Pare down the details to the essentials: the candidate’s name, a catchy slogan, and the date of the elections. If it’s for a cause, think of a witty catchphrase or tagline that will evoke curiosity.
Be consistent. Look at any campaign materials you already have. Don’t stray far from the colors and designs your party uses. Use colors that stand out and match your party’s branding.
Aim to be visible. Make sure the font in your banner is large enough to be seen by anyone passing by. Keep it easy to read, too. As a rule of thumb, remember that any text at least one inch (72 pt.) in height can be viewed from 10 feet.
Find the best place to hang or install your banners. Display your banner in different areas—against walls, on fences, or along busy streets—then see how it looks. Find a spot where the banner will be highly visible.

Think of banners as another channel for reaching out to voters. In addition to digital ads and print media like bumper stickers and flyers, include political banners on your list of promotional materials.

Design High-quality Election Banners With Signs.com

We’re all about signs! We love them, and you’ll love them, too. Create a banner you’ll be proud of with these steps:

Find the right banner size. Banners of the right size effectively get attention. If you’re not sure what size your banner should be, read our step-by-step guide to sizing.
Choose the right material. Choose high-quality materials that will withstand the elements and look great for years to come.
Create a design that pops. Do you already have an idea of what you want to see in your election banner? Use any of our templates that can be edited on our easy-to-use Design Tool, or get in touch with us for our free professional design services.
Print with a trusted online printer. Choose a vendor that knows how valuable signs are to a candidate’s overall election strategy. At Signs.com, we’re obsessed with signs—and we’ll get you the best one for your campaign.

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Election Banners FAQs

What are campaign banners?
These are banners used to promote a candidate running for office or raise awareness for a specific cause. Anyone can put up campaign banners and signs—but be mindful of any federal laws limiting where you can display campaign banners. Read our comprehensive article on political signs to learn more.

Is a political banner the same as a campaign banner?
Campaign banners are political, but not all political banners are campaign-related. Political banners are communication tools that can be displayed to promote a cause or raise awareness about a critical issue.

What is a campaign banner made of?
Campaign banners can be made of vinyl, canvas, or fabric.

Can you use banners to promote your business?
Yes, definitely! Banners are durable marketing tools that are easy to design, produce, and install. They’re affordable, too. Talk to us if you need help creating one for your business.

How much does a campaign banner cost?
The price of campaign banners depends on your order’s size, material, and quantity. Use the calculator on the vinyl banner page to find out how much each piece costs.

What is the best way to ensure compliance with local sign ordinances?
Every city and state have its own local sign ordinance. These policies help regulate signage, ensure that signs and their owners uphold fair marketing practices, and that the signages do not block people's right of way. To ensure proper compliance with the rules and laws, you must understand the area's sign regulations and obtain the necessary approvals to install your signs and banners.

Research the areas where you want to put your signs including zoning laws and signage requirements observed in the said location. Contact the point persons for each local government group and ask questions about the types of signs you can install in the area, regulations on banner sizes, content, and installation methods.

Are there laws governing where yard signs can be placed?
Yes. Penalties for violating election sign laws range from fines, removal, and confiscation of signs to lawsuits regarding the content of the signs. In worst-case scenarios, there could also be grounds for the candidate you support to be disqualified in an upcoming race.

In some areas, the violations can also stack and add up, imposing multiple penalties for violating signage regulations and election laws simultaneously. This is why you must observe the proper rules for the content, installation, and size of your political signs and banners.

Can I put election signs on utility poles or traffic signs?
You typically cannot put election signs on traffic signs and utility poles since these violate road safety rules. Election signs on traffic lights and signs can obstruct visibility or provide distractions that can cause accidents. Utility poles must also be accessible for repairs and maintenance, which can be hindered if signs are placed on them.

Violating these rules can lead to political sanctions and penalties, which will be detrimental to the candidate's campaign. Its best to follow the protocols and ordinances on where you can install your political signs and banners to avoid penalties.

Are there rules about the materials used for election signs?
Yes, there are rules and regulations about the materials used for election signs. These rules may vary depending on the city or area, but they generally aim to ensure safety, durability, and compliance with environmental standards.

The signs should be made using durable, non-hazardous materials that comply with public safety standards. Some preferences or advantages exist when using eco-friendly and recyclable materials for your signs and banners, such as priority for optimum locations with more people.

You should also follow the regulations on prohibited materials. Glass signs or banners made from brittle materials are banned since these may cause injuries or accidents when not installed correctly. There's also a limit on reflective banners since these could cause distractions at night, especially the ones installed along streets and roads.

What should I do if my election banner gets damaged?
Always check the durability of your election banners and make sure that these are adequately maintained, especially when set up. If your banner gets damaged, remove it immediately to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. Once taken down, check whether the banner can be repaired or needs replacing.

If the damage is minor, patch the banners up and then set them up again, following the rules for banner installation. If the banner is beyond repair, request assistance from the local government first before replacing the banner with a new one and adding measures so they don't get damaged in the future.

You also need to document the old banner's damage, especially if there are signs of tampering or vandalism. Take photos of the damaged banner and file a report to prevent similar cases.

Can I use testimonials from voters on my election banners?
Voter testimonials effectively build credibility and trust within a campaign, and these can be put on signs and banners to attract potential voters. That said, you should also note the content and ensure that these testimonials are accurate, timely, and appropriate as signs.

Quotes and testimonials work best for political banners since these are large enough to accommodate long texts. You can also integrate the messages into your banner design so that the content can be read easily and improve your campaign material's look.

A good strategy is to collect several testimonials and then put one testimonial per banner so that each material is unique and readers can read each of them quickly.

What are the environmental impacts of election banners, and how can I minimize them?
Campaign materials, including election signs and banners, often create environmental concerns, mainly because most use non-biodegradable materials for their election campaign. However, many sign production groups are trying out more eco-friendly and recyclable options for their banners and signs, and knowing these procedures can help if you want to minimize them in the future.

You can also donate your used campaign signs and non-biodegradable banners to recycling plants so they can be reused and made into other products.

Can I use social media handles or QR codes on election banners?
You can include social media handles and QR codes to bring digital promotions on your election banners. Digital elements like QR codes can give voters easy access to more information and engage them through digital platforms.

The best way to include these is by putting them in the banner areas that make them easy to scan or input with their mobile devices. You must also ensure the codes work and redirect to the proper links and social media sites. Try to create web pages and accounts that can be updated regularly without compromising the links and QR codes.

What kind of mounting accessories are needed for election banners?
Local sign laws and regulations encourage using durable and tough mounting accessories to hold and secure your signs and banners for promotions. These regulations are to ensure public safety and reduce sign-related accidents. Some of the mounting accessories you can use include:

Banner Stands. You can go for standard stands, X stands, and retractable banners for indoor promotions.
Rope and Grommets. Tie up and hang your banners using durable banner ropes, strung through metal grommets.
Poles and Stakes. Plant your signs firmly to the ground using trusted sign poles and stakes.
Wall Brackets and Velcro: Install your sign to the wall using secure brackets and Velcro.

Most banner printing groups offer these accessories to help set up your signs and banners, and you can trust their quality and durability.

How do I select the right location for my election banners?
Signs and banners aim to reach as many people as possible and promote their message and call to action. Laws and regulations aside, you'd want to place your election campaign materials in high-traffic areas and public spaces always filled with passing people.

You must also consider the banner distance placement, ensuring that while they do not hinder or block people's passage, they can also be seen by many, especially from a distance. To find the best locations to install your election signs, you can work with the local regulatory committees and city ordinances to learn the optimal spots and discuss which type of sign or banner works best for that area.