6 Types of Custom Banners and How to Choose the Right One

3D Billboards

These billboards incorporate 3D effects to recreate the depth of a real-world object. Oftentimes, they use holograms or dynamic animations, which can be viewed from multiple angles and seem to pop out of the screen.

However, some 3D billboards use tangible displays, such as sculptures and other props to create depth.

1. Cat 3D LED Billboard

Located at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan, this 155-square-foot 3D curved billboard has become a popular tourist destination. This cutting-edge technology allows people to see 3D effects without special glasses and in broad daylight, too.

Although the giant calico cat is a crowd favorite, the billboard also shows other popular anime characters, including those from *Dragon Ball*, *One Piece*, and *Pokémon*.

The billboard’s content is updated frequently, from ads promoting local festivals and concerts to global brands such as Nike and Louis Vuitton.

2. Netflix’s Army of the Dead 3D Billboard

This 3D billboard was installed in central London in 2021 to promote *Army of The Dead*, a zombie-themed film starring Dave Bautista and Ella Purnell.

The billboard featured a 3D zombie tiger that appeared to step out from the ruins of post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. Renowned visual effects artist Marcus Taormina and his team tracked the movements of tigers at Big Cat Rescue to create animations that were both chilling and captivating.

3. Coca-Cola Robotic LED Billboard

Considered as the world’s first 3D robotic billboard, this Coca-Cola sign in Times Square, Manhattan, New York City is made of 1,960 moving and static LED cubes that produce this captivating three-dimensional coordinated effect.

The electro-kinetic sculpture-cum-billboard measured 210.22 m² (2262 ft² 117 in²) and could detect inclement weather conditions and temperature changes.

4. Infinity LED Wall by Nexen and D’strict

South Korean tire manufacturer Nexen commissioned D’strict to create a 30-meter wide and 7-meter high LED video wall that combined visual arts and technological innovations. The billboard was installed in the company’s main headquarters in Seoul, and it showed dynamic content, including a captivating waterfall and a multicolored tornado that transformed into different figures.

5. HBO’s House of the Dragon 3D Billboard

Although Times Square is peppered with 3D billboards, the one promoting HBO’s popular TV series *House of the Dragon* easily became a crowd favorite.

The billboard used naked-eye 3D technology, allowing viewers to enjoy dynamic animations, including a fire-breathing dragon that looked like it would fly out of the screen.

Interactive Billboards

Interactive billboards allow viewers to interact with the content through various technologies, including touchscreens, motion sensors, augmented reality (AR), and QR codes, just to name a few.

Although increased audience engagement is one of the goals of interactive billboards, they also allow marketers to collect data about how people interact with the content. This way, they can improve marketing campaigns in the future.

6. The Economist’s “Lightbulb” Billboard

Installed in 2005 by the renowned advertising agency BBDO, this minimalistic yet thought-provoking billboard featured a giant lightbulb on a bold red background.

The creative media design company used electronic motion sensors that caused the light bulb to illuminate as people walked in front of the interactive billboard. The design did not include any images or texts except *The Economist* logo.

7. British Airways Digital Billboard

In 2013, British Airways installed two digital billboards in London featuring a child who pointed his finger every time an airplane flew across the sky.

The signs were equipped with a surveillance system designed to track actual planes, ensuring that the video synchronized with them. The billboards also displayed the flight number and origin of a British Airways plane flying across the sky.

8. Netflix’s Daredevil Billboard

In 2016, Netflix installed an outdoor billboard at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square to promote *Daredevil* and encouraged fans on social media to “Join The Fight” by tweeting with the hashtag #DAREDEVIL, #PUNISHER, or #ELEKTRA, depending on their favorite character.

The character who received the most mentions would then “attack” the other characters, causing their images to have bruises, cuts, and bullet holes. The billboards were updated every 48 hours to illustrate the “damage.”

9. Reebok’s Speed Test Campaign

As part of their campaign to promote *ZPump 2.0* shoes, Reebok installed an interactive billboard in Stockholm designed to challenge pedestrians to run as fast as they could.

The interactive billboard used movement-tracking technology combined with a speed camera, and Reebok gave away new trainers to those who could beat the set time, which was 10.5 miles per hour.

10. KitKat’s Massage-Giving Billboard

KitKat’s famous slogan *“Have a break”* was the main inspiration for the massage-giving billboards installed at bus shelters in Bogota, Colombia.

When people leaned against these interactive signs, they activated built-in motors that produced pleasant vibrations. To make it even more interactive, local commuters could find these massage kiosks by typing in words like *“tired”* and *“stressed”* on Google Maps.

Artistic Billboards

These billboards focus on displaying creative and visually stunning content, instead of solely promoting products and services. As a result, they often feature unique and imaginative designs, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors.

11. Panasonic’s Creative Nose Hair Trimmer Billboard

In this billboard, Panasonic incorporated the cityscape, specifically the dangling cables and wires that were made to look like unsightly nose hair.

Designed by ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi Indonesia, the billboards promoted the Panasonic nose hair trimmer, especially its safety cutting feature.

12. BIC Razor’s Grass-Cutting Billboard

This creative outdoor sign for BIC razors proves that using ordinary landscape combined with a bit of creativity can deliver interesting and memorable visual effects.

The actual billboard only served as a backdrop for the giant-sized razor surrounded by freshly cut grass that resembled the appearance of a clean shave.

13. McDonald’s and Burger King’s Billboard Rivalry

This McDonald’s billboard used a humorous approach against Burger King, one of its biggest competitors.

The lighthearted rivalry and playful tone generated a lot of attention from customers. Although it was a risky move to mention one’s business rival, this billboard campaign was a success because it generated a lot of buzz without being offensive.

14. IKEA Christmas Campaign

Home furnishings retailer IKEA has always been known for its quirky and creative oversized billboards.

This holiday-themed outdoor sign used furniture pieces arranged in a way that spelled out the word *“JOY.”* The props created a nice 3D effect while featuring the company’s products.

15. Formula Toothpaste Billboard

Designed by Ogilvy and Mather, *“The Bite”* billboard successfully delivered a clear and simple message: The *Formula Tooth Care* brand can help strengthen teeth.

Advocacy-Related Billboards

These billboards are primarily designed to raise awareness, encourage support, or inspire action toward issues such as human rights, mental health, equality, hunger, climate change, animal welfare, and education.

Advocacy-focused billboards rarely promote products or services, or if they do, they typically do it in a discreet manner to avoid putting viewers off.

16. Women’s Aid Interactive Billboard

Launched by Women’s Aid, the *Look At Me* interactive billboard showed a close-up image of a woman’s face covered in bruises.

Interestingly, when people stopped by to look at the model’s face, the swelling and marks would slowly fade away. By contrast, the bruised face would reappear if no one was looking at the billboard.

This interactive outdoor sign was equipped with facial recognition technology to detect when people stopped and looked at the screen.

The message of this billboard is loud and clear: We can help victims of domestic abuse by not turning a blind eye.

17. Dogs Trust Billboard Covered With Plush Toys

To help raise awareness of the growing problem of dog smuggling trade, the dog welfare organization *Dogs Trust* installed a giant billboard covered with 750 plush toy puppies, which passersby could take home for free.

Once all the plushies were gone, a message warning the public about the dog smuggling trade could be seen.

18. Road Safety Billboard for NZ Transport Agency

Some people think they can forego the use of seatbelts when they sit in the backseat.

Unfortunately, this misconception caused a lot of serious injuries and deaths that could have been prevented if only people were better educated about seatbelt safety.

To demonstrate the danger of not wearing safety belts in the backseat and in turn encourage people to wear them regardless of where they are seated inside the car, the *New Zealand Transport Agency* installed a billboard featuring a rear seat that was attached to a giant slingshot.

19. Wave of Waste Billboard

To raise awareness about marine pollution, beer brand *Corona* commissioned a billboard called the *“Wave of Waste”* that incorporated actual plastic waste collected in the UK.

Australian actor *Chris Hemsworth* was also featured in the billboard, surfing on the towering wave of plastic waste.

20. Road Safety Billboard for the Colorado State Patrol

The *Colorado State Patrol* used a chilling and visually striking billboard to demonstrate the danger of tailgating.

Featuring an image of a car colliding with the back end of a truck, the pleated and torn sign really made a lasting impact on the viewers’ minds.

20 Creative Billboards That You Need to See

Restaurants

Some restaurants use indoor banners to display their menus, specials, and other promotions.

Banner Size: 3′ x 6′

Ideal Uses: Indoor Restaurant Banners

The smaller but sleeker vertical banners can be hung outside to attract passersby.

Banner Size: 3′ x 5′

Ideal Uses: Outdoor Restaurant Banners

The slimmer and taller restaurant banners are commonly displayed outside for directions.

Banner Size: 2′ x 6′

Ideal Uses: Directional Banner for Restaurants

Standard Banner Sizes Explained: How to Pick the Perfect Size for Your Needs

Standard Banner Sizes by Location

nationwide are calling for a crackdown on the use of e-cigarettes in public. Whether you’re a user of e-cigarettes or a public business looking to abide by the law, knowing the current regulations will help you know what’s allowed and what isn’t when it comes to electronic cigarettes. We’ll help you make sense of the current state and federal laws regarding e-cigarettes, how they differ from smoking laws, and whether or not signage has the rule of law.

What are e-cigarettes and how do they differ from regular cigarettes?

An electronic cigarette is a device used to deliver concentrated nicotine into the body. Unlike cigarettes which burn tobacco to produce nicotine, e-cigarettes use a battery-powered vaporizer to turn liquid nicotine into vapor (also known as electronic nicotine delivery system – ENDS), which is inhaled and absorbed into the lungs. This process, called ‘vaping’, is often suggested as a safer alternative to smoking because of the absence of tobacco; but, research is inconclusive on whether or not e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco based cigarettes.

This video offers a clear explanation of the science behind both vaping and smoking.

Why is there a need for regulations on e-cigarettes?

With research being uncertain on the health effects of e-cigarettes, government officials are cautionary on the use of these devices in public places. As of August 8, 2016, the FDA has established new e-cigarette regulations based on the fact that the nicotine present in the device is a byproduct of tobacco. As such, e-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products. Tobacco products are regulated to prevent purchasing by children under 18 years of age, as well as to limit the exposure of secondhand smoke in public places.

What are the FDA’s regulations on e-cigarettes? What’s the difference between smoking laws and e-cigarette laws?

In most states, e-cigarette regulations fall underneath the same regulations as state-by-state smoking laws. Since some states may not have similar regulations for both, it is best to check with local authorities on what regulations apply to e-cigarettes and what apply to smoking. With the FDA’s newly established regulations on e-cigarettes, states may decide to change their stance on how they approach such laws. We will address the state-by-state laws for e-cigarettes, as they stand now, in the next section.

The FDA has a comprehensive website that explains how the new regulations affect the sale and use of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. With e-cigarettes being categorized as a tobacco product, the sale of such devices is regulated as would the sale of tobacco cigarettes. In order to purchase e-cigarettes you must be 18 years or older and have a valid photo ID. Flavored e-cigarettes can also be sold and purchased by consumers 18 years or older. The FDA requires that by 2018, all e-cigarettes must be sold with the warning: “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.” Regulations are slightly different with tobacco cigarettes; no matter the age of the consumer it is illegal to sell or purchase flavored tobacco cigarettes.

What are the individual state regulations for e-cigarettes?

Though the FDA has standardized rules for e-cigarettes sales, the specific usage of them is regulated at the state level. The Public Health Law Center has gathered together every state’s regulation for e-cigarettes (as of June 15, 2016), which includes the specific state code / law reference. We’ve also compiled each state’s stance on e-cigarettes regulations with links to current information on current or forthcoming laws and potential no vaping signage templates. This state by state guide is the in the next section after these frequently asked questions.

Does signage protect a property or business from the use of e-cigarettes?

Signage laws for e-cigarettes are determined at a state and/or local level And typically fall into the same laws as smoking signs. We outline this in the state by state section further down this article.

Does the government provide signage for businesses?

As far as we have researched, there is no specific signage provided by the government. Signage may be available at the local level;  for example, the city of Beverly Hills provides a printable postcard with the city’s regulations on smoking and e-cigarettes.

Is there a specific logo that I need to use for signage?

There’s no specific e-cigarette symbol used on signage, but typically it looks like the logo below, which is similar to the no smoking symbol.

Where should signage be posted?

Signs should be conspicuously posted at all entrances of a property and in areas inside the building where smoking / vaping is prohibited.

Is e-cigarette secondhand emissions dangerous?

Any type of second smoke or emissions can pose a health risk. The American Lung Association states that e-cigarette vapor can be potentially harmful. Studies have found formaldehyde, benzene, and other carcinogens within the vapor of e-cigarettes. secondhand smoke of e-cigarettes is less harmful than the secondhand smoke of tobacco cigarettes.

Disclaimer

The information collected has been written according to our knowledge about current vaping laws and is subject to the laws of each individual state, county, or city. We are not experts, and, as such, are not held accountable if laws change or the information provided below does not reflect current legislation. We recommend those needing information confirm with local health officials and state authorities and/or law to verify the information below. Last Updated February, 2017.

Click on an individual state to view the corresponding state’s vaping law:

Alabama

Alabama state tobacco laws (Alabama Clean Indoor Act – 2003) do not place restrictions on e-cigarette use in public places or businesses. No smoking laws do not apply to e-cigarettes. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signs posted by businesses do not prevent the use of electronic cigarettes. However, it is advised that, if asked to refrain from using e-cigarettes in a business, you heed the discretion of property owners.

Alaska

Despite having tobacco laws throughout the Alaska State Code and recognizing the threat of e-cigarettes to the public at large, Alaska does not have specific regulations that restrict the use of electronic cigarettes in public places, nor are there any vaping signage laws that protect businesses from use on the property. Though we would assume that if the owner asks a smoker to stop vaping that the law would be on the private property owner’s side. As far as we can tell, no smoking laws do not apply to e-cigarettes.

Arizona

Arizona does have regulations on the sale and use of tobacco products in the Arizona Revised Statutes. However, Arizona does not have state-wide legislation on the prevention of electronic cigarette use in public or businesses. Also, it is inferred that smoke-free laws (Smoke-Free Arizona, May 2007) and signage do not prevent the use of e-cigarettes in public. We recommend checking with local government agencies to clarify any city-specific laws that may be in place.

Arkansas

In Arkansas, there are a few non-smoking laws that apply to e-cigarette use (Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act, 2006). The state enacted laws for smoke-free university campuses beginning August 1, 2010. Vaping is not permitted on school campuses, childcare or healthcare facilities (see Arkansas Code Annotated § 6-21-609). It is also unacceptable to use e-cigarettes near state park buildings. There are no current signage laws applicable to vaping, but we assume that you must abide by ‘no smoking’ signs posted at the mentioned locations.

California

California has clearly defined laws on e-cigarette use in the California Business and Professional Code. As of May 4, 2016, e-cigarettes are treated as tobacco cigarettes, meaning that vaping is banned wherever smoking is prohibited (see the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act). Areas include places of employment, restaurants, schools, day care and healthcare facilities. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage applies to both tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Colorado

Colorado state law (see Colorado Clean Air Act, 2005) does not prevent the use of electronic cigarettes in public places. The state does allow local governments to enact ordinances that ban using e-cigarette use public places. Check with your local authorities to double check if there are local laws that prevent use. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage that is posted in cities that do not ban electronic cigarettes do not prevent use, but no vaping signage posted in cities with a ban can prevent use.

Connecticut

As of July 6, 2015, Connecticut law (Public Act No. 15-206) regulates the use of e-cigarettes in public places. Areas that are prohibited include: restaurants, state buildings, healthcare facilities, school campuses and buildings, and child care facilities. The state does not provide signage for these facilities, but it is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signs do apply to e-cigarettes and vaping in mentioned areas.

Delaware

Delaware passed legislation in July 2015 to ban e-cigarette use in all areas where smoking is already prohibited. According to Title 16 § 2903 of the Delaware State Code, areas that are prohibited include: public buildings, restaurants, government owned and operated buildings, grocery stores, child care facilities, and sport arenas. Though the state code does not explicitly state that ‘no smoking’ signage applies to vaping, it can be assumed that such signage does restrict vaping in those designated areas. We are unaware of any no e-cigarette or vaping signage provided for free.

Florida

Smoking regulations are found in the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act (2003). Smoking is prohibited in enclosed indoor workplaces (unless otherwise stated within the law). The law explains that signage is required to designate that smoking is prohibited in enclosed workplaces. The state does not currently have any laws that prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in public places. It is assumed that no smoking laws or signage do not apply to e-cigarettes.

Georgia

There are no current regulations on vaping within the state of Georgia, nor does the Georgia Smokefree Air Act (2005) mention vaping or e-cigarette use. Local laws may be interpreted to prevent such use, but you will need to check with your local government for clarification. It is implied that signage posted that prevents smoking does not apply to e-cigarette use. We know of no agency that gives away free vaping signs or signage.

Hawaii

On January 1, 2016, Hawaii adopted a law in the Hawaii Revised Statutes (Section 328J) that places e-cigarettes under the same regulations as tobacco cigarettes. As such, the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) is prohibited in public places. This includes: businesses, retail stores, restaurants, and health care facilities. The Hawaii tobacco control website is an excellent resource to understand the regulations that apply to e-cigarettes. An example of a no smoking / no electronic cigarette sign is also provided on their website. We’ve also included several no vaping / e-cigarette sign templates below that can be printed on the material of your choice by clicking on them.

Idaho

The Idaho Clean Indoor Air Act (2007) outlines smoke-free laws within the state, which includes prohibiting smoking in public buildings, unless such building has a designated smoking area. The Clean Indoor Air Act does not set forth statewide legislation regarding the use of electronic cigarettes. State law does allow local ordinances to be passed, so we recommend checking with your city or town government to understand what is accepted. No Vaping signage is not mentioned in the law, but it assumed that no smoking signs do not have force of law for e-cigarette use.

Illinois

As of April 2016, the state employs a smoke-free law (Smoke Free Illinois Act) that encompasses both tobacco smoking and vaping. This act states that e-cigarette use is prohibited on school campuses. Vaping or e-cigarette signage posted on school campuses must be followed. There are no other regulations for public places or signage that prevents use. We recommend checking with local government authorities to understand local regulations.

Indiana

The Indiana State Code was amended on July 1, 2012 to include the smoke-free air law. This law includes the verbiage of “lighted tobacco smoking equipment” (which could be translated as an e-cigarette) within the ‘no smoking’ laws. As such, it is assumed that vaping is prohibited in areas where smoking is prohibited. These areas include: most public places, workplaces, and restaurants. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signs apply to vaping. We are unaware of any explicit mention of ‘no vaping’ signage or free templates. More information on smoke-free laws in Indiana can be found on the Breathe Easy Indiana website.

Iowa

The Iowa Smokefree Act (implemented in 2008) states that smoking is prohibited in public places, places of employment, in and near healthcare facilities, and where ‘no smoking signs’ are present. Though vaping is not explicitly stated in the law, it is assumed that ‘no smoking’ laws apply to vaping as well. The state does allow for cities to invoke their own ordinances to prevent the use of e-cigarettes. The city of Garner, for example, bans the use of electronic cigarettes in areas that also ban tobacco. It’s recommended that you check with your local government to understand specific ordinances that may ban e-cigarette use. We assume that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to vaping and as such vaping signs would not have the rule of law.

Kansas

Enacted on July 1, 2010, the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act prohibits smoking in public places, businesses, and restaurants. Though there are no state laws that specifically mention vaping or e-cigarette use, it is assumed that ‘no smoking’ areas also apply to vaping. No vaping signage is not mentioned in the Indoor Clean Air Act, nor are there provisions for obtaining free signage from the state. Major cities, such as Topeka, Lawrence, and Overland Park, have smoke-free laws that prevent the use of tobacco products in public (smoke-free laws have been in place since July 2010). If you live in these cities, it’s advised that you check with local government to see if no-smoking laws apply to e-cigarettes. For more information on the Clean Air Act, visit, the Kansas Smoke Free website.

Kentucky

Kentucky has limited smoke-free laws, which are found in the Kentucky Clean Indoor Air Act (1994). There are currently no regulations on vaping within the public places. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to e-cigarette use. Nor could we find any specific no vaping or no e-cigarettes signs or signage laws. There is currently a push to enact a smoke-free law that would protect workers.

Louisiana

The Louisiana Smokefree Air Act (Jan. 2007) outlines the current smoking regulations in the state. Smoking is prohibited in outdoor public places, public buildings, and businesses. There are no current state regulations that prevent the use of electronic cigarettes in public places. Local ordinances may differ from those of state law. All Louisiana restaurants and workplaces are smoke-free. Though not adopted under the smoke-free law, e-cigarettes may be prohibited by certain workplaces. To our knowledge, no vaping signage is not mentioned in state law. More information on the Louisiana smoke-free laws can be found on the Tobacco Free Louisiana website.

Maine

The Maine smoking laws can be found in Title 22 of the Maine Revised Statutes (2016). E-cigarettes are not explicitly mentioned in the anti-smoking laws in Maine, nor is ‘no vaping’ signage mentioned. It is assumed that ‘no smoking signs do not apply to vaping. More information about Maine’s stance on electronic cigarettes can be found on the government’s health and wellness website.

Maryland

Maryland smoking laws can be found in the Maryland Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007. This law does not explicitly mention vaping, but the state does allow local municipalities to enact laws regarding electronic cigarettes. The University of Maryland has a comprehensive guide to the e-cigarette laws in cities throughout the state. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage that is posted in cities where vaping is restricted does apply to e-cigarette use. We could not find any free templates of no vaping signage but have provided a few different ones below you can customize and print for your needs. We recommend that you check with local laws and businesses for more information on signage and restrictions.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts General Law (section 22) contains the smoking laws within the state. There are no state laws that prevent the use of electronic cigarettes in public. Local municipalities may enact laws that restrict use. ‘No vaping’ signage is not mentioned in any of the state laws and it is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signs do not apply to vaping.

Michigan

Michigan’s Smoke-Free Air Act of 2009 outlines the smoking laws within the state. The law does not specifically mention the use of electronic cigarettes. As such, it is assumed that ‘no smoking’ laws and signage do not apply to vaping. The state does have a comprehensive guide to current laws on tobacco products. ‘No smoking’ laws do prohibit smoking in public places, but these do not cover electronic cigarette use. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to e-cigarettes. We found no explicit mention of ‘no vaping’ signage and whether they prohibit the use of e-cigarettes.

Minnesota

In 2014, the Minnesota Indoor Clean Air Act was amended to include vaping regulations for schools, university, and healthcare facilities. In some cases, e-cigarette use is prohibited in public buildings. We recommend checking with local government officials to verify any restrictions on electronic cigarette use. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signs placed in schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and public buildings apply to e-cigarettes. Further, we assume that ‘No smoking’ and ‘no vaping’ signs can be used interchangeably. Areas that are not listed with ‘no smoking’ signage posted do not restrict e-cigarette use.

Mississippi

The Mississippi Clean Indoor Air Act (2013) sets forth the restrictions for smoking in public in Mississippi. It is unlawful to smoke in government and university or college buildings. E-cigarettes are not prohibited by state regulations or state smoke-free laws. However, state law does provide local governments with the power to regulate e-cigarette use. It is recommended that you check with local authorities on the use of e-cigarettes and vaping in public places. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to vaping. Not surprisingly we could not find any specific no vaping signs or templates provided by the state or local officials.

Missouri

The Missouri State Clean Indoor Air Law (2000) outlines the smoking regulations within the state. No statewide vaping bans exist in Missouri. Local governments are in charge of regulating e-cigarette use and, as such, may ban the use of them in public places. To find out if your city has a vaping ban, check with local government officials. It is implied that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to e-cigarette use. We found no specific examples of no vaping signs or signage that explicitly prohibited e-cigarette use. We’ve provided a few possible sign templates below that can be customized as needed.

Montana

Smoking laws are explained in the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act (2005). Montana does not impose statewide regulations on e-cigarettes, nor are there any signage laws that pertain to them. Smoke-free laws and signage do not cover electronic cigarettes. Check with local authorities to see if vaping is banned in your city or county and whether no vaping signs can help prevent use of them.

Nebraska

In 2008, the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act was instituted to regulate smoking within the state in public places and places of employment. There are no statewide bans on electronic cigarette use. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services does recommend that indoor businesses take initiative and ban the vaping in their establishment. With such recommendation, there may be businesses with signage banning the use of e-cigarettes. Local governments may also enact regulations, so we recommend double checking with local authorities on possible bans. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to vaping. Though with the possibility of local regulations no vaping signs may have the rule of law. We recommend checking at the local level to see whether this is true or not.

Nevada

Even with the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (2008) the state of Nevada does not regulate the use of electronic cigarettes. There may be local vaping bans that do exist . We assume no smoking signage does not prohibit e-cigarette use. If no vaping signs have the force of law it’d be at the local level. We recommend verifying whether this is the case as it will vary depending on your location. The state does have a guide regarding e-cigarettes that is very helpful on current laws.

New Jersey

In January 2010, New Jersey implemented a statewide vaping ban that prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping in all indoor public places and businesses. It is assumed that signage posted in all indoor public areas must be abided by.

New Mexico

As of December 2015, the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited on the premises of schools and at school sponsored events. No vaping or no e-cigarette use signage posted on school premises must be abided by. There are no other statewide vaping bans. Local regulations may also restrict the use of e-cigarettes. Check with local authorities for information on local vaping laws. More information on the smoke-free law can be found at the smoke-free New Mexico website.

New York

The New York State Clean Indoor Air Act (2003) sets forth smoking restrictions in the state. There are no statewide bans on electronic cigarette use. Smoke-free laws in New York City do apply to electronic cigarettes. This means that use is prohibited in office, parks, restaurants, and bars. E-cigarette signage posted in these areas must be heeded. New York City provides an example of ‘no vaping’ signage. We’ve provided several other templates below that are customizable.

North Carolina

North Carolina’s law to prohibit smoking in certain public places went into effect January 2, 2010. Smoking is only prohibited in bars and restaurants, and government buildings. No statewide regulations prevent the use of e-cigarettes. Check with local government agencies to see if there are city or countywide vaping bans in place. To our knowledge, ‘No smoking’ signage does not apply to vaping. Local officials would be the best resource to verify whether no vaping signs have the force of law with no statewide regulations in place.

North Dakota

As of August 2015, North Dakota has a statewide ban on electronic cigarettes (found in the North Dakota Century Code chapter 23-12) that prevents use in public places and places of employment, as well as within 20 feet of entrances, windows, and vents. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage that is posted in these areas applies to vaping. It is also assumed that ‘no vaping’ signage also has the force of law and must be abided by.

Ohio

Smoking restrictions in Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (chapter 3794). The use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited on the premises of state buildings. Other than that, there are no statewide vapings bans. Local cities or counties may restrict use. Contact local authorities to see if e-cigarettes are banned. There are no state laws regarding vaping signage and it is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to e-cigarettes. Local officials would be the best resource to verify the efficacy of specific no vaping signage.

Oklahoma

As of December 2013, E-cigarettes are banned on all state owned and operated premises. The state does not ban the use in other public places. Local ordinances cannot be enacted to prevent vaping. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to vaping. No e-cigarettes or no vaping signs would of course have rule of law in the state owned and operating premises.

Oregon

There is a statewide ban of electronic cigarettes in public places. The Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act (found in section 433.835 of the Oregon Revised Statutes) was amended in January 2016 to add prohibitions on the use of e-cigarettes in restaurants, workplaces, and indoor public places. ‘No smoking’ or ‘no vaping’ signage posted in all public places must be followed. The state provides examples of ‘no vaping’ signage. ‘No smoking’ and ‘no vaping’ signage displayed in public places and businesses must be heeded. More information on vaping regulations can be found on the Oregon Public Health website. We’ve provided additional signage prohibiting e-cigarette use below.

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 provides the laws for smoking regulations in the state. There is no statewide ban on e-cigarette use in the state of Pennsylvania. The city of Philadelphia does ban use in all enclosed workplaces and city parks. We assume ‘no smoking’ and ‘no vaping’ signage posted in Philadelphia must be obeyed. Likewise, we’d assume that no vaping signage in any other city that has enacted similar legislation would have the force of law. In cities where no ban is in place we’d infer that no smoking or no vaping signs would not be legally binding.

Rhode Island

Smoking regulations in Rhode Island can be found in the Smoke-Free Public Places and Workplaces  (August 2005). Smoking is restricted in all enclosed public places, including health care facilities, bars, restaurants, and shopping malls. There is no statewide vaping ban. It is best to check with local authorities to see if there are any local vaping restrictions. It is assumed that ‘no smoking’ signs do not apply to vaping unless of course there is a local law that clearly outlines the efficacy of no vaping signs.

South Carolina

Smoke-free laws can be found in the South Carolina Clean Indoor Air Act of 1990. Smoking is prohibited on public school campuses, healthcare facilities, and public transportation, as well as other locations. Electronic cigarettes are not regulated under state law or smoke-free laws. As such, signage does not apply to vaping products. Local municipalities may enact restrictions and, in such cases, we recommend contacting local authorities to find out about these laws and no vaping signage.

South Dakota

Smoking laws in South Dakota are found in the South Dakota Codified Laws (Title 34-46). Prohibited locations include in all enclosed workplaces. There are no statewide restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes. We recommend contacting local authorities to determine if there are region-specific restrictions. We assume that ‘no smoking’ signage does not apply to vaping unless there is a local law that states otherwise. For more information on tobacco-free laws, visit the South Dakota Be Tobacco Free website.

Tennessee

The Tennessee Non-Smoker Protection Act (2007) outlines smoke-free laws in the state. No statewide laws exist that regulate e-cigarette use, nor does signage apply to vaping. Check with your local government to see if local laws restrict the use of e-cigarettes and whether no vaping signs are legally binding.

Texas

All of the smoke-free laws in Texas can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services website. As of May 2015, specific locations which ban the use of such devices include school campuses, hospitals, indoor theaters, elevators, trains, airplanes, libraries, and museums. There is no mention about no vaping signage in the state law, but we assume that, if posted in mentioned areas, it must be heeded.

Utah

As of May 2012, Utah state law applies the ‘no smoking’ regulations in the state to vaping (see Utah Indoor Clean Air Act). This means that places where smoking is banned, e-cigarettes are also banned. Areas include all indoor public places and businesses with posted signage. It is assumed ‘no smoking’ signs posted in all smoke-free areas apply to vaping as well. If you are looking for specific no vaping or no e-cigarette use type signage look no further than the customizable templates below.

Vermont

According to Vermont state law (Act 135, beginning in 2014), e-cigarettes are prohibited on public school campuses, workplaces, indoor public places, state property, and in cars with young children. There are ‘no smoking’ and ‘no tobacco use’ signs from the state, but are only available to order via the link in this sentence. Signage posted at prohibited locations restrict vaping and must be followed. If you’re looking for a ‘no vaping’ or ‘no e-cigarette’ sign, click one of the customizable templates before.

Virginia

Smoke-free laws in Virginia can be found in the Virginia Clean Air Act (2009). There are no statewide bans on e-cigarette use. As of 2014, it is outlined in the Code of Virginia (section 22.1-79.5) that it is illegal to use e-cigarettes on school property, including school buses and school sponsored activities. Signage posted on school campuses that indicate that vaping is prohibited must be abided by.  Also, local governments are given the right to enact regulations regarding e-cigarettes. We assume that no vaping signage are effective in any locale that has enacted such legislation. It is recommended that you check with local officials to determine the legality of e-cigarette use and whether no vaping signage is legally binding.

Washington

Smoking regulations can be found in the Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 70.160. Though there are not statewide vaping bans, the use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited by state law on school campuses of higher education (see Washington Admin Code 172-122-310). No vaping signage posted in prohibited areas must be obeyed. ‘No smoking’ laws do not currently apply to e-cigarette use. It is recommended that you check with local government officials to verify if there are local ordinances that prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and whether you can use no vaping signs like you can on school campuses.

West Virginia

Information on smoke-free laws can be found in the 2016 West Virginia Code (section §16-9A). Use of electronic cigarettes is banned on school grounds and school-related property (ie. sponsored activities and school buses). Local laws may restrict the use of e-cigarettes in public. ‘No vaping’ signage is not mentioned in the state law but we would assume it is legally binding on school related property. Likewise, we would assume it is effective in any location that has enacted official legislation restricting e-cigarettes use in specific places.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Statewide Smoke‐Free Air Law (June 2010) explains smoking restrictions in the state. This law clearly mentions that e-cigarettes and vaping are not covered in the law and, as such, Wisconsin does not have any statewide vaping bans. Local governments have the authority to issue regulations on e-cigarettes, so it’s best to check with local authorities to verify if any restrictions are in place. There are no laws regarding vaping signage that we found. It is assumed that smoke-free laws and signage do not apply to vaping unless specifically stated at a local level.

Wyoming

There are no statewide bans regarding smoking or e-cigarette use in public, nor are there any signage laws in place. Local ordinances may be enacted to prevent vaping, which would require double checking with city or county government officials for signage implications.

Vaping Laws For All 50 States

We’ll work to answer that exact question in our latest series called “The Effectiveness of Signage,” where we cover the do’s and don’ts of sign advertising.

Our First Experiment

On our drives to work every morning, we see all sorts of signs. There are yard signs for political campaigns, security systems, realtors and so much more. Along the busier roads, there are signs plastered all over telephone poles and crosswalks.

Then there are the sign spinners. Those guys or girls who hold signs and dance like their life depends on it. We’ve all seen them, but does all that boogying really work?

At Signs.com, we wanted to find out. We decided to test a few signs of our own served to oncoming traffic in a Metropolitan area, with the simple invitation, “Honk if you see this sign.”

Our ultimate goal was to see whether a person being present with the sign made a real difference in completed calls to action. The results might surprise you!

Too Long, Didn’t Read

Before we dive into how we conducted our tests, here are some of the nuggets we’ve pulled out of our findings you can take advantage of right now. We’ll go over the specifics of how we arrived at these recommendations throughout the rest of the article:

• Signs get noticed despite repeated studies claiming we’re blind to ads.
• Using a person boosts engagement: if it is appropriate for your business, try having someone stand out by the sign to help attract customers—the human element will drive a greater response rate than just having a sign posted.
• Use color contrast.
• Make your message short and clear for drivers passing by to read.
• If you want to get more people to respond to your sign, make your call to action (CTA) as easy as possible (low-involvement) to eliminate barriers. (keep your message simple)
• Give oncoming drivers enough time to react to your sign.
• Location matters—make your sign as visible as possible. Place your sign in a well-trafficked area when possible.

How We Did It

A good experiment needs a sound method. We wanted to see how design, sign size and amount of text could affect the responses of drivers on their morning commutes. Take a look at each of the 11 signs below along with how we used each in the test:

For each variation, we used three different ways of presenting the sign:

1. Sign Standing Alone: just set up on the side of the road with no one near the sign
2. Sign Held: No Motion—where one of our employees held the sign, but didn’t move… at all
3. Sign Held: With Motion—where one of us played the role of the sign spinner.

For each test, we showed each sign to 100 oncoming cars, in a moderately trafficked metropolitan area, just outside of Utah’s Capitol, Salt Lake City. To make sure drivers only had enough time to read the sign while driving rather than stopped at a traffic light, we conducted the experiments a quarter mile from the oncoming stoplight and 200 ft away from the stop light behind us.

It would only take about seven minutes for each round of 100 cars to pass us. To make sure we were only counting completed calls to action from those who saw the sign, we ignored honks and waves from cars driving in the opposite direction who honked or waved without actually being able to read the signage. Keep that point handy: the people on the other side of the street offered an interesting insight!

It’s important to note that because it was an especially windy day, we could not put up the small sign by itself because it kept blowing away.

Results

And now, for the good part. We’ll look at the data in a couple of different ways and walk you through the most salient takeaways. Keep in mind that this isn’t a perfect study, but what we found does give us a glimpse of what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to small business advertising signs.  

Before we dive deeper, looking at the chart above, the “Sign Standing Alone” test received the least amount of engagement compared to either of the other two tests. Whether moving or not, having a person present with the sign increases responses by over 150%.

So if you’re wondering whether sign spinners are worth the extra money, the answer is yes! Without a doubt introducing a human element dramatically increased the response rate of the signage. We didn’t perfectly imitate sign spinners during our test—during the second round of testing we simply stood behind the signs, and for the third test, we waved the sign back and forth a little. Even still our presence with the sign made a dramatic difference in engagement. Assuming customers would act on a sign with a human element to it inside your store then we believe it is safe to say that the extra cost is worth it.

Adding motion to the sign, however, only increases responses by about 6% over no motion. So adding a sign spinner really does work! But don’t stress if your sign spinner doesn’t have great dance skills. Let’s take a look at the total responses across all tests for each sign.

Far and away our most completed actions came from waves (sign 6) compared to honks. On the other hand, responses to sign 10 was very low (95% fewer responses than the basic black text on white background). Some other things things that really stand out when looking at the results this way is that small text and small signs aren’t as effective as larger text and larger signage.

Digging Deeper

Using high contrast in text and color on your signs can boost responses by as much as 23%.

Short, concise messages are over 90% more effective at driving engagement.

Using a person in with your sign can increase engagement as much as 60%.

A few others to consider:

• Compared to its larger counterpart, the small sign received 30 fewer completions than the control. That’s a 75% decrease in response.
• By far the worst performing sign was the block text sign, which received only 2 total completions across all the tests.
• Switching to the CTA of waves instead of honks increased responses by 70% from the control.
• While adding an image to your design won’t hurt your response rate, having a complicated image proved to be too distracting. There were only 26 total responses for the complicated image compared to the 44 responses with the normal image.

So what does all of this data mean? Let’s take a look at the practical applications for small businesses and sign advertisers.

What This Means for You

One of the more obvious takeaways is that people notice signs while driving! Whether they pay attention or not relies heavily on design, copy, and size. As long as the text was legible, the design didn’t make a major difference, as long as it didn’t get too crazy (See the results for the sign with the “Complex” purple, orange and yellow design. )

Plenty of people saw our signs but for whatever reason, didn’t complete the CTAs. Maybe they were just reluctant to honk or wave; maybe they absent-mindedly read the sign. What was interesting is the place at which most drivers would complete the call to action. Let’s look at the graphic below:

About 20% of drivers would read the sign as they approached the green zone,
but wouldn’t react to the message (honk or wave) until approaching the red zone.
While in the yellow zone, it appears drivers are processing your sign’s message.

There is a clear delay in how information is processed when attention is divided. So it’s important to keep your messages short and legible. Additionally, you’ll want to place your sign spinner far enough ahead of the entrance to your business to give drivers time to connect the dots and turn into the parking lot.

And while our CTAs aren’t anything you would use in the real-world – comparing waves to honks – it seems people are more likely to react when there is less of a cost to doing so:

Waving is an easier response than honking as it is less likely to be noticed by other participants around them. So it’s important that your CTA when trying to reach drivers is low-involvement. Keep that in mind for your objectives, especially since this type of advertising is usually at the top of the sales and marketing funnel.

Final Thoughts

Another key takeaway is that people are drawn to other people. More specifically, they’re drawn to faces.  When people see someone holding a sign on the side of the road, they will see the person holding the sign, then they will read the sign. If you want to boost the visibility and the reactions for your sign, the best way to do that is have a person holding your sign. That’s all the more reason to keep your messages brief, as passerby will read the sign only after looking at the face behind it. But sign spinners do work!

One of our biggest surprises though: remember how we said we ignored the honks and waves from people coming the opposite direction of our sign? There were a lot of them. Part of this could be what’s thought to be the monkey-see-monkey-do phenomenon (apparent because some of the honking from the opposite direction was excessive). But some even stopped in the middle of the road to turn their heads to get a look a look at what they were missing.

So FOMO plays just as much a role on the road as it does online. Don’t know what FOMO means? You’re experiencing it right now: it stands for “Fear of Missing Out” and it’s a powerful insight that marketers can use to drive traffic and sales. Take advantage of it!

Conclusion

Are you interested in increasing your business traffic with signage? Signs.com has you covered! We have over 75 types of signs to choose from with free design services and quick turnaround times. Check out the selection and get your business seen with high-quality signs.

Fair Use Statement

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How To Drive Engagement With Outdoor Signs