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If you run a business in Vancouver — whether it's a café on Granville Street, a boutique on Robson, or a pop-up shop at a weekend market — you already know how competitive foot traffic can be. Every passerby is a potential customer, and sometimes all it takes to turn a glance into a sale is a clear, well-placed sign right at your door. That's exactly where frame signs and sandwich boards come in. They're one of the most affordable, versatile, and effective marketing tools a local business can use. And in a city like Vancouver, where the outdoor culture is strong and the weather has its own opinions, picking the right sign matters more than you'd think.
At Super Printers Canada, we've helped hundreds of Vancouver and BC businesses get their signage right — from the material to the print to the installation. In this guide, we're breaking down everything you need to know about frame and sandwich board signs: what they are, which materials hold up in our Pacific Northwest climate, how to size them correctly, and how to customize them for maximum impact.
Frame signs — sometimes called A-frame signs, sandwich boards, or pavement signs — are freestanding double-sided display boards designed to sit on the ground outside your business or at an event. The classic A-frame shape is immediately recognizable: two display panels connected at the top by a hinge or frame, angled outward like the letter "A."
They've been around for over a century, but modern versions are a long way from the old wooden blackboards outside corner shops. Today's frame signs use lightweight aluminum or steel frames, UV-resistant printing panels, and weatherproof materials that can handle everything Vancouver's seasons throw at them — rain, wind, and the occasional summer haze.
• Classic A-Frame / Sandwich Board — The most recognizable format. Usually 24"×36" or 18"×24". Works beautifully for specials, directional info, or promotions.
• Snap Frame / Poster Frame — A flat, wall-mounted or freestanding frame with a snap-open border that lets you swap inserts without tools. Perfect for menus or seasonal promotions.
• Chalkboard A-Frame — The rustic-chic option. A coated surface for handwritten messages, popular with cafés, restaurants, and boutiques in areas like Yaletown and Gastown.
• LED Illuminated A-Frame — A premium option with built-in lighting for visibility in the evenings — ideal for bars, restaurants, and businesses near Vancouver's entertainment districts.
• Swinger / Pavement Sign — A heavier base unit with a swinging display panel that rotates in the wind, reducing the risk of tipping during Vancouver's breezy days.
This is where a lot of businesses go wrong. They order a beautiful-looking sign, and then three weeks of Vancouver rain later, the print is bubbling, the frame is rusting, or the whole thing has warped. Vancouver's Lower Mainland climate is mild but wet — average annual rainfall exceeds 1,150mm — and businesses on the coast, in Richmond, Burnaby, or North Vancouver face even more humidity and wind.
Here's what to look for when choosing your sign materials:
• Aluminum — Lightweight, rust-proof, and strong enough to handle coastal winds. Our top recommendation for most Vancouver businesses. A well-made aluminum A-frame can last 5–8 years with basic care.
• Powder-Coated Steel — Heavier and more stable in wind. The powder coating protects against rust, but if the coating chips (which can happen on high-traffic sidewalks), you'll want to touch it up promptly to prevent corrosion.
• Heavy-Duty Plastic/Polypropylene — Budget-friendly and completely rust-proof. Best for indoor use or covered patios. Not our first pick for year-round outdoor exposure in BC.
• Wood — Great aesthetic, but requires regular sealing and maintenance. Best suited for covered entranceways rather than exposed sidewalks.
• Corrugated Plastic (Coroplast) — Affordable and lightweight. Fine for short-term promotions. Not ideal for permanent outdoor use as UV and moisture can cause fading over 6–12 months.
• PVC Foam Board — Better durability than Coroplast. Holds colour well, light to handle. Recommended for seasonal promotions.
• Dibond (Aluminum Composite) — The premium choice for outdoor longevity. UV-laminated print on Dibond can look sharp for 3–5 years outdoors in BC weather. Used widely in our commercial signage projects.
• UV-Laminated Vinyl Inserts — Used in snap-frame and swinger-style signs. Easy to swap, and UV lamination significantly extends the lifespan of the print in Vancouver's outdoor conditions.
The beauty of sandwich boards and frame signs is their versatility. No matter what kind of business you run, there's an application that fits. Here are some of the most effective ways Vancouver businesses are using them right now:
Daily specials. Happy hour timings. New menu items. A well-designed A-frame outside your café on Commercial Drive or your restaurant in the West End can pull in foot traffic like nothing else. In fact, studies from the Sign Research Foundation have found that on-premise signage — including sidewalk signs — can increase a retail business's revenue by up to 10%. For a busy Vancouver café, that's significant.
• Tip: Change your chalkboard message daily or weekly. Fresh content keeps regulars engaged and signals to new visitors that you're active and current.
Sale announcements. New arrivals. Events. Frame signs are a staple at markets like the Vancouver Farmers Market, Main Street pop-ups, and Robson Street boutiques. Their portability means you can take them to markets, trade shows, and street fairs — and bring them back inside at the end of the day.
Law firms, dental offices, salons, and real estate agencies in areas like Vancouver's downtown core use frame signs to direct clients from the street to their specific unit in a shared building. Clear directional signage cuts down on confusion and makes a professional first impression.
From the Vancouver Convention Centre to Tradex in Abbotsford, frame signs are event staples. They're easy to set up, easy to carry, and offer double-sided visibility — so your message reaches people coming from both directions.
Temporary A-frames work great for "Coming Soon" announcements at new developments across Metro Vancouver, Surrey, or Kelowna. Pair them with heavy bases for windy sites.
A generic sign is forgettable. A well-branded sign gets remembered. Here's what you can customize when ordering from Super Printers Canada:
• Full-colour digital printing with UV-protective laminate coating
• Custom graphics, logos, brand fonts, and colour matching (Pantone/CMYK)
• Double-sided printing so your message is visible from both directions
• Chalkboard-style panels for a hand-crafted aesthetic
• QR codes integrated directly into the design — great for menus and promotions
Choosing the right size depends on your placement and viewing distance:
• 18" × 24" — Compact. Ideal for tight sidewalks, boutiques, or indoor use.
• 24" × 36" — The industry standard. Works for most retail and restaurant applications. Legible from about 10–15 feet.
• 24" × 48" — Great for high-traffic intersections or event spaces where you need maximum visibility.
• Custom sizes — We can accommodate non-standard dimensions for branded installations or architectural fit.
• Weatherproof carrying handles and strap mounts
• Water-fillable or sand-fillable bases for wind stability in exposed Vancouver locations
• Ground spikes for grass or turf installation at outdoor events
• Wheels and handles for easy mobility
Ready to order? Here's a practical checklist to make sure you get it right the first time:
1. Define the primary purpose: Is this for daily specials, permanent directional use, or event-based promotion? This determines your material choice.
2. Measure your placement spot. Know the available sidewalk width — Vancouver's city bylaws (under the Street and Traffic By-law) restrict how much of the sidewalk a sign can occupy. A general rule of thumb is to ensure a minimum 1.5 metre clear pedestrian path.
3. Consider your wind exposure. Signs near False Creek, the Burrard Inlet, or exposed street corners need heavier bases or ground anchors.
4. Set a budget range. Entry-level aluminum A-frames with a printed insert start around $80–$150. Premium Dibond or LED versions run $200–$500+.
5. Prepare your design files. 300 DPI, CMYK colour mode, with bleed and safe zone. Our team at Super Printers can assist with design if needed.
• Always place your sign on a flat, stable surface. Use rubber feet or anti-slip pads on smooth concrete.
• On windy days (Vancouver gets sustained winds of 20–40 km/h regularly in fall and winter), use weighted bases or chain it to a fixed anchor point if your frame allows.
• If mounting insert panels, ensure they're fully seated in the frame before placing outdoors to prevent them from dislodging.
• Clean the frame monthly with a damp cloth and mild detergent — especially in winter when road salt from snowfall events can accelerate corrosion on steel frames.
• At end of business, bring your sign inside. Overnight Vancouver weather, particularly in November through February, can include frost, heavy rain, or strong winds that damage lightweight signs.
Ready to Order Your Frame Sign in Vancouver?
Super Printers Canada ships across Metro Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and throughout British Columbia. Whether you need a single sandwich board for your café or a full event signage package, we've got you covered with fast turnaround, weather-ready materials, and print quality you can trust.
