5 hot spots for outdoor signage at summer events

Summer events are full of opportunities for eye-catching outdoor signage that not only enhances the experience but also boosts brand visibility. For print service providers, the outdoor event season can be the perfect time of year to capitalise on the wide variety of large-format products utilised at these events.

From music festivals and sports events to artisan food fairs, outdoor theatres and carnivals, signage needs are vast and varied, and when done well they play a huge role in creating a memorable experience for attendees.

Print businesses that understand where signage fits into the outdoor event space can unlock new opportunities with customers. So, with that said, let’s take a look at five places that outdoor signage can be used to elevate events, both visually and practically.

How do you know you’ve arrived in the right place? Head for the branded archway or the bold welcome banner stretched across the entrance.

Event entrances are the perfect place to make a strong first impression. Whether it’s a community festival or a large-ticket music event, the use of signage at the entry point is essential for both function and flair. Heras fencing printed with mesh or PVC banners defines the event boundary while also providing branding and sponsor visibility. Crowd control barriers are transformed with custom-printed covers, guiding guests through queues and towards entry points.

Other impactful options include display/stretch polyester signage for festival maps or schedules, towering flags, roller banners for quick updates or sponsor recognition, and even branded floor graphics to direct foot traffic and create excitement as attendees arrive.

Branding opportunities that go beyond the physical event such as selfie spots and branded photo backdrops are another opportunity for signage to shine and impact to last. These designated areas are designed with shareability in mind, making it easy for attendees to capture and post content. 

Signage options here include heavy-duty banner frames, custom selfie boards, freestanding cut-outs, and weather-resistant roller banners featuring event hashtags, QR codes, or creative artwork.

The more unique and immersive the backdrop, the more likely it is to be shared online, giving sponsors and organisers extended visibility long after the event ends. And for events running over multiple days, durable materials like PVC and wind-resistant mesh ensure the signage stands strong in all weather conditions.

Great signage doesn’t just look good, it keeps things running smoothly. At any large-scale event, clear wayfinding signage is essential for helping guests navigate the space confidently and safely. From pointing runners to their start line at a sporting event to helping festival-goers find the bar, food trucks, toilets or emergency exits, well-placed signage makes all the difference. 

Some popular formats for directional signage include Fluted board signs fixed to railings, lampposts, or walls; Foamex boards on stakes for parking or entrance instructions; Flags or pop-out banners marking key zones like First Aid or VIP areas; and lightboxes for setlists or illuminated directions after dark. 

Functional signage doesn’t need to be boring, it can still feature branding, colour, and design elements to complement the event’s identity.

As well as marking the entrance of a music festival or the start and finish lines of sports events, flags come in all shapes and sizes and their compact and light-weight nature and the fact that they are easy to set up make them the ideal signage solution for all corners of an outdoor event. Think rows of flags lining the path towards the start of a sporting event, branded flags for each food and merchandise stall at street markets, or, as mentioned, highlighting important areas such as first aid areas or water stations. 

Available in a range of shapes from the classic right-angle Feather shape, the elegant and vertically-symmetrical Crest shape, and the slanted angle Blade shape to the Fin shape popular for beach and aquatic use cases and the striking and angled Teardrop flag shape, there is a flag to match any event theme and the range of shapes available also means different areas or functions can be differentiated using different flags for different areas. Plus, because flags can be printed double-sided, the desired message is visible from all angles.

If an event has a stage, it’s likely the focal point - and that makes it prime real estate for signage. Large-format printed backdrops and covers can completely transform the stage environment while reinforcing the identity of the event. AirMesh Polyester banners and Mesh PVC banners are ideal for stage backdrops as they allow wind to pass through, preventing damage and ensuring safety. These backdrops can feature the event name, sponsor logos, artistic graphics, or simply bold, on-brand colours that complement the show. For events like open-air theatre productions, children’s festivals, or local music stages, custom stage signage helps elevate the overall production value.

Outdoor events vary greatly, but what they all have in common is the need for durable and visually impactful signage to bring it all together and help things run smoothly. For print service providers, offering a curated range of event-ready signage options, supported by strong visuals and artwork guides, can help you win more of this seasonal work. As a trade-only large-format print partner, we support our customers in delivering impactful signage for all corners of outdoor events and making sure that when those events return year after year, so do the print jobs!

As a trade-only large-format print supplier, we are unable to use images of our customers’ fantastic projects, so we have used some stock imagery to illustrate the examples mentioned in this blog.