5 Tips for Designing an Eye-Catching Hoarding

Hoardings (or billboards) are one of the most effective forms of outdoor advertising. But because people view them while driving or walking by, you only have about 3 to 5 seconds to capture their attention. Here is how you do it right.

1. Keep the Message Short (The 7-Word Rule)

Since drivers only have a few seconds to read your hoarding, keep your main text to 7 words or less. If your message is too long, people will stop reading it halfway through. Make it punchy and direct.

2. Use High Contrast Colors

Contrast is crucial for visibility from a distance. A black text on a yellow background, or white text on a dark blue background, is much easier to read than similar shades placed together. Avoid pastel colors for text.

3. Make the Font Huge and Legible

Never use thin, elegant script fonts on a flex board. Stick to bold, heavy sans-serif fonts (like Impact, Arial Black, or Montserrat ExtraBold). The text needs to be readable from 500 feet away.

4. One Strong Visual Element

A hoarding is not a brochure. Do not clutter it with 5 different product images. Pick one high-resolution, striking image that conveys the emotion or the core product of your campaign.

5. Have a Clear Call to Action (But Don't Expect Note-Taking)

Include a short, memorable website URL or a simple phone number. Better yet, create a catchy hashtag or a directional cue (e.g., "Take the next left!"). Don't expect drivers to write down a long address or phone number.