Sandwich boards, also known as A-frame signs, are a great tactic to add to your marketing mix. Despite having food in the name, they’re not just for bars and restaurants. Any local or brick-and mortar store can reap major benefits from sandwich boards, including luring new customers, alerting casual shoppers to special offers and deals, and branding your business.
Brief History of the Sandwich Board
Sandwich boards were the original mobile advertising unit. In the 1800s, it was common for a merchant to hire a man to wear two large signs and then stroll the streets, literally sandwiched between two boards. Charles Dickens referred to them as ‘sandwich men,’ and the name stuck. While sandwich men were mainly on foot, sometimes they’d ride through town on horseback.
As people started gaining mobility with cars and moving away from cities, sandwich boards gave way to billboards. Today’s sandwich board ads, supported on an A-frame, are printed on lightweight material that holds up to the elements and beautifully showcases full-color pictures.
A Good Sandwich Board Can Stop (Foot) Traffic
Even in today’s digital environment, nothing beats the stopping power of an attractive sign, and that’s what a good sandwich board does: it stands out and stops pedestrians. Sandwich boards are so versatile and effective, they can be used in many industries. They are a natural choice for businesses in malls, shopping centers, or other locations with a good amount of foot traffic, but they have so many other uses:
- Helping real estate agents draw attention to their listings.
- Wayfinding at community events.
- Strategically positioned at tradeshows to draw participants to a booth or event.
- Showcasing in-store offers and promotions.
Lasting Impact
Sandwich boards can be produced quickly, easily and inexpensively, but they’re not meant to be disposable! When properly cared for, they can last a long time. Because of their relatively low costs, sandwich boards are an excellent place to add creativity and experiment with messaging, while still reflecting your brand.
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