If you’ve read our other articles about lawn signs you’ve seen us say this before: lawn signs are one of the most affordable and effective forms of outdoor advertising.

Whether you're promoting a local business,  advertising a real estate listing,  supporting a political campaign, or directing guests to an event, professionally printed lawn signs help get your message noticed.

But have you ever wondered what actually happens between submitting your artwork and receiving your finished lawn signs?

At 1 Hour Signs Niagara, () we take lawn sign projects through a detailed production process that ensures every lawn sign is durable, vibrant, and ready for outdoor use.

how does lawn sign printing work

Here's a step-by-step look at how lawn sign printing works:

STEP 1: DESIGNING THE LAWN SIGN

Every lawn sign starts with a design.

The goal is to create a message that can be read quickly from a distance. Effective lawn sign designs typically include:

  • A clear headline
  • High-contrast colours
  • Minimal text
  • Large fonts
  • Logos or graphics
  • Contact information or a call to action

Our lawn sign design team can create custom artwork from scratch or prepare customer-supplied files for printing.

STEP 2: PREPARING THE ARTWORK FOR PRODUCTION

Once the design is approved, it moves into prepress production.

During this stage, our team checks:

  • Resolution and image quality
  • Colour accuracy
  • Bleed areas
  • Safe margins
  • Font compatibility
  • File sizing

The artwork is converted into a print-ready format that matches the exact dimensions of the lawn sign.

For double-sided signs, both sides are carefully aligned to ensure proper registration during production.

STEP 3: SELECTING THE SIGN MATERIAL

Most professional lawn signs are produced using coroplast. This is what we use here at 1 Hour Signs Niagara.

What Is Coroplast?

Coroplast is a corrugated plastic sheet made from polypropylene.

It looks similar to corrugated cardboard but is manufactured from durable plastic rather than paper.

Coroplast features:

  • Lightweight construction
  • Waterproof properties
  • UV resistance
  • Excellent durability
  • Cost-effective pricing

The material contains internal channels called flutes, which provide rigidity while keeping the sign lightweight.

Common lawn sign thicknesses include:

  • 4 mm coroplast (most common)
  • 6 mm coroplast (extra durability)
  • 10 mm coroplast (special applications)

For most residential and commercial lawn signs, 4 mm coroplast provides an ideal balance of strength and affordability.

STEP 4: DETERMINING FLUTE DIRECTION

One important technical detail in lawn sign production is flute direction.

The flutes are the hollow channels that run through the coroplast sheet.

When lawn signs will be installed using wire H-stakes (only used with 4 mm coroplast), the flute direction must run vertically so the stake can slide directly into the channels.

Proper flute orientation ensures:

  • Easy installation
  • Improved stability
  • Better wind resistance
  • Reduced risk of damage

This small production detail has a major impact on the sign's performance once installed.

STEP 5: PRINTING THE LAWN SIGN

After the artwork and material are prepared, printing can begin.

Most modern lawn signs are produced using large-format UV printers.

What Is UV Printing?

UV printing uses ultraviolet light to instantly cure specialized inks as they are applied to the coroplast surface.

Benefits of UV printing include:

  • Vibrant colours
  • Sharp graphics
  • Fade resistance
  • Weather durability
  • Fast production times

Because the ink cures immediately, the signs can move directly to finishing without long drying times.

STEP 6: LAWN SIGN CUTTING AND FINISHING

After printing, the signs are trimmed to their final size.

Standard lawn sign sizes include:

  • 12" × 18"
  • 18" × 24"
  • 24" × 36"

For custom shaped lawn sign projects,  signs may also undergo contour cutting.

What Is Contour Cutting?

Contour cutting uses a digital cutting system to follow a custom shape rather than a standard rectangle.

This allows for:

  • Custom-shaped signs
  • Logo-shaped displays
  • Directional arrows
  • Specialty promotional signage

The finishing process ensures clean edges and a professional appearance.

STEP 7: QUALITY INSPECTION

Before packaging, every order goes through a quality control inspection.

Our team checks:

  • Print quality
  • Colour consistency
  • Image clarity
  • Material condition
  • Correct sizing
  • Quantity accuracy

Any issues are addressed before the signs leave production.

STEP 8: PACKAGING AND DELIVERY

Once approved, the lawn signs are carefully packaged for pickup or delivery.

Depending on the order and thickness of the lawn signs, you may be supplied with H-stakes or other installation accessories.

Signs are stacked and protected to prevent scratching or bending during transportation.

STEP 9: LAWN SIGN INSTALLATION

The final step is installation.

For most lawn signs this is by far the easiest step of the lawn sign printing process, where an H-stake is inserted into the coroplast flutes and pushed into the ground.

Proper lawn sign installation strategy helps maximize visibility while ensuring the sign remains secure during changing weather conditions.

For commercial properties, event signage, and larger promotional campaigns, additional mounting methods may also be available.

 

GET PROFESSIONAL LAWN SIGNS IN NIAGARA

At 1 Hour Signs Niagara, we produce high-quality custom lawn signs designed to stand up to Ontario weather while delivering maximum visibility for your message.

From design and artwork preparation to printing and finishing, our team ensures every lawn sign project is completed quickly, accurately, and professionally.

Contact 1 Hour Signs Niagara today to discuss your next lawn sign project and discover how easy it is to turn your message into effective outdoor advertising.

 1 Hour Signs Niagara is here to help with your sign design and printing needs, custom lawn signs, business signs or anything else - please reach out any time with questions or to receive a quote.