We receive calls daily from people who want to know how billboard advertising works and how much billboards cost. Most people think that if we do not have a location available, we can just put a billboard up anywhere. The billboard business is a little more complex than just picking a spot and building one.

First it is important to know that we are a licensed outdoor company. Anyone who rents billboards must be licensed both by the State and County and must follow all state and local regulations. Both the State and County regulate where billboards are permitted, what size can be built, and how close to other signs they can be.

Available locations vary from month to month depending on which customers renew and which customers may want to move to other locations. We can fax, e-mail and send you information with pictures of what is currently available. If you are interested in a certain traffic flow or area and we do not have anything available, we will put your name on a waiting list. When something does become available, we will call you.

Our signs are rented on a twelve-month contract. The monthly rental price of the billboard depends on size and location. So, no two billboards rent for the same amount. Your company will receive a monthly invoice for the space rental. The only additional charge is for the printing of the face, which depends on the square footage of your location.

After deciding on a location, we will meet with you to come up with ideas for the design. It is important to use your logo. It should be kept simple and bold. Designing a sign is just visual storytelling. You can use humor or direct marketing. Since billboards are full color you can use an image or full color logo. Just 10 years ago, full color images were expensive to do, but with the computer printing process it is no different than plain text.

Then we take your ideas back to the computer and do full color artwork and bring it back to you. We will make any final changes and send it to the printer. When artwork is approved, the printing charge is due. Your advertisement will be printed, by a large format printer, on a heavy vinyl banner. When it arrives, it is then taken to the location and stretched onto the sign.

When your sign is up and advertising for you, your billing starts. You will receive a bill once a month - net 30. We will contact you several weeks before the expiration of the contract to discuss the renewal.

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Jpg
• Tif
• Eps
• Ai
• Pdf
• Eps

SIZES

File Size: Photoshop files should be built to scale (i.e. 1” = 1’ scale). Set the p.p.i. (pixels per inch) to a number that allows the file to be between 200-300 megabytes.

COLOR

Customers send files in both CMYK or RGB modes. If a file is in RGB mode it is converted to 4-color process CMYK in the RIP software.
Please make sure your working space color profile is embedded in each file.
Make sure overprint is off if exporting files from Illustrator or InDesign. Elements of your art may disappear or change to an unexpected color if this setting is left on.
 

Photoshop files need to be flattened. This will eliminate any unpredictable effects that can result from merged filters. Also, please let us know if you have included bleed in your file.

OUTDOOR DESIGN TIPS
 

1. Visibility- Can the message be easily read? Where is it displayed? Use colors and images that will contrast with the surroundings. Use ample spacing between words and lines. Keep the message and design simple.
2. Viewing time- Outdoor advertising usually requires your message to be communicated in a very short time. An effective message can be communicated in ten seconds or less.
3. Font Size- Can the message be easily read from a distance? Most outdoor advertising is viewed from passing vehicles and should be clear, large fonts that can be read from a distance of at least 1,000 feet.
4. Short Copy- Less is more! By keeping the message short, the copy will be retained and more easily understood by the viewer.
5. Attractive Ads- Using imagery along with the copy will help to attract the readers eye to the billboard. The use of imagery helps the reader to retain the message in their memory by creating an association between the image and the message.
6. Simple Layout- Keep the layout simple. Cluttered messages will confuse the reader and the message will not be retained.