Back to School Sign Planning: What Schools Should Order Before August

Back to School Sign Planning: What Schools Should Order Before August

Planning and ordering custom yard signs before August is crucial for schools that want to present a welcoming, organized, and easy-to-navigate campus from the very first day. Early preparation ensures you have the right mix of sizes, materials, and messages in place for open house, orientation, and the start of classes. From traffic control to school spirit displays, the right yard signage helps families, students, and staff feel informed and confident.

What School Signs to Order for Back to School

To get ready for August, most schools need a combination of welcome, directional, event, and safety signs. Here’s a straightforward checklist with practical advice on sign types, sizing, material, placement, and how many to order for your campus layout.

Essential Yard Signs for Back to School

Group your signs by location and purpose. Decide what information families or staff need as they approach the campus, walk to buildings, or attend events. Prioritizing these areas prevents confusion during the busy first week of school.

Recommended Sign Sizes for School Campuses

The size of your yard signs affects how quickly visitors can see and understand your message. Here are the most common school sign sizes and smart placement tips:

Material: Why Corrugated Plastic Signs Are Best

Outdoor school signs need to be durable, fade-resistant, and able to handle wind, sun, and rain. Corrugated plastic yard signs check all these boxes and are:

Legit Fast Printing specializes in custom yard signs using tough, high-quality corrugated plastic. You can order your preferred size and get vibrant, crisp printing that stands up to outdoor conditions.

How Many Signs Should Each School Order?

The number of signs needed depends on campus size and traffic patterns. Use this table as a baseline, then adjust for your layout:

Elementary School (up to 600 students)

Middle School (600–900 students)

High School (900+ students)

When unsure, start by counting all entrances, drop-off lanes, main paths, parking lots, and event spaces. Order at least one sign for each critical location, plus a few extras for event announcements or unexpected needs.

Effective Back to School Sign Messages

Keep your sign wording brief—ideally 7 words or less—so it stays readable as families drive past. Use a large, simple font and high-contrast color combinations for maximum visibility. For more design tips, check out our guide on designing a yard sign students and parents can read from the road.

Design and Customization Made Simple

Legit Fast Printing offers free design support. You can upload your own artwork, mascot, or colors or work with our team to lay out clear, colorful signs. Each sign is printed with bold UV-resistant inks on sturdy corrugated plastic, then shipped with the compatible wire stakes for fast installation.

Popular product options for schools include:

Custom + Personalized Horizontal Yard Sign

Placement and Installation Tips

All Legit Fast Printing custom yard signs come with the right size metal stake for easy setup—no extra trip to the hardware store. Order a few extra stakes, as they may bend in rocky soil or over repeated use.

For more practical guidance, browse our related post on yard sign installation tips for different soils and quick fixes.

When to Order Your Custom School Signs

Demand for school yard signs spikes in July and August, so finalize your order list as early in July as possible. Allow extra time for design approval, printing, shipping, and campus setup. Schools that order in July are ready for the first day and avoid last-minute rush jobs that may be generic or incorrectly sized.

Why Choose Legit Fast Printing for School Yard Signs?

You can reorder the same designs annually through our easy-to-use platform, making future years simple. Learn more about how schools and PTAs use our services in our post on yard signs for camps, tryouts, and PTA events.

Back to School Yard Signs FAQ

What is the best size for school entrance signs?

Most schools use 24 x 18 inch yard signs for entrances. Larger sizes, like 36 x 24 inches, are great for very busy roads, but 24 x 18 covers most needs. For walkways, use smaller sizes like 12 x 18 inches.

How many welcome signs does a typical school need?

Plan for 2 to 6 welcome signs. Start with one for each main vehicle lane and a separate one for the pedestrian or bus entrance, then add more for major events as needed.

Can we reuse custom yard signs next year?

Yes. As long as you use corrugated plastic and a non-year-specific message, school signs can be stored indoors and reused for several years. Avoid dates if you want them to last.

Do we need to order different signs for traffic and for events?

Yes. Traffic, parking, and procedure signs help prevent chaos in the first week, and event signs ensure families get to the right place for open house and orientation.

When is the latest we should order for August?

Order by late July at the latest. Ideally, submit your order in mid-July for guaranteed printing and shipping before the first teacher workday and orientation.

Action Steps for School Sign Ordering

  1. Walk your campus and list places where a sign helps
  2. Estimate quantities using the sections above
  3. Pick sign sizes: 24 x 18 inches for vehicles, 12 x 18 for walking areas
  4. Finalize messages, mascot, and any custom artwork
  5. Order custom yard signs—upload art or request design help before August

By acting early, your school can create a welcoming, safe, and well-organized environment for students, families, and staff. For even more detailed advice, or to see how other schools have used custom signage for everything from tryouts to fundraisers, browse our full range of custom yard sign options here. Let’s help you get your school ready—quickly and easily.