Customers circling your parking lot confused about where to park for pickup. Staff fielding constant "where do I go?" phone calls. Drivers missing your curbside area entirely and walking inside frustrated. Bad signage kills your BOPIS program before it starts.
Here's the good news: professional signage doesn't require a graphic designer or expensive print shop. You need clear templates, the right materials, and basic installation knowledge. This guide gives you all three.
You'll get free downloadable templates for every sign type your curbside program needs—directional A-frames, numbered stall markers, window decals, and arrival instructions. Plus printer specifications so your local shop (or office printer) produces signs that actually work. And ADA compliance guidelines so your signs are visible to drivers with vision impairments.
By the end of this guide, you'll have printable files ready to go and know exactly how to install them for maximum visibility. Total cost: under $50 for a complete signage system that looks like you spent thousands.
Don't over-complicate your signage program. Start with these three sign types and you'll solve 90% of customer confusion.
This sign catches drivers as they enter your parking lot and points them toward the BOPIS area. Without it, first-time customers drive past your pickup stalls and end up at your main entrance wondering where to go.
Purpose: Direct drivers from parking lot entrance to pickup stalls before they park in the wrong spot.
Text: "BOPIS Pickup →" or "Curbside Pickup →" with a large arrow pointing toward your designated stalls. Keep text huge and simple—drivers need to read this while moving.
Size: 24×36 inches minimum. Larger is better for visibility from a distance. If your parking lot entrance is far from pickup stalls (100+ feet), consider 36×48 inches.
Placement: Where vehicles enter the lot, positioned so drivers see it before making parking decisions. Typically near the entrance driveway or at the first decision point (where they choose between parking areas).
Format: A-frame standing sign (sits on ground, no installation needed) or post-mounted directional (requires digging/cementing a post). A-frames are easier and movable—start there.
These identify which specific stalls are for BOPIS pickup and number them so customers can say "I'm in stall 3" instead of describing their vehicle.
Purpose: Reserve parking spots for pickup customers and give each spot a unique identifier for easy communication.
Text: "BOPIS Pickup Only" or "Curbside Pickup" at top, then a large number (1, 2, 3, etc.) in the center. Add "Call [your number] when you arrive" at the bottom if space permits.
Size: 24×36 inches for standing signs, or 18×24 inches for post-mounted. The number should be readable from 50 feet—that means 8-10 inch tall digits minimum.
Placement: One sign per parking stall. Place at the front of the stall (where the car's nose will be) or mounted on posts at stall edges. Standing signs sit on the pavement in front of the stall; post-mounted signs go on poles marking stall boundaries.
Quantity: One per stall. Most stores need 3-6 stalls for BOPIS. More than 6 and you probably want a dedicated pickup lane instead of individual stalls.
This confirms customers are at the right location and provides contact information. It's the final reassurance before they call or text to announce arrival.
Purpose: Visible confirmation from parking area that this is the pickup location, with phone number for arrival notification.
Text: "BOPIS Pickup Here" or "Curbside Pickup" at top, your phone number prominently displayed (large, bold), and optionally "Text or call when you arrive."
Size: 18×24 inches minimum for window decals. Larger storefront signs can be 24×36 or bigger if you have the window space.
Placement: Front window facing your pickup stalls. Should be visible from inside a parked vehicle 30-40 feet away. If you don't have suitable windows, use a standing sign near your entrance visible from the stalls.
Material: Vinyl decal with adhesive backing for windows (removable), or weatherproof coroplast/metal sign for outdoor mounting.
This fourth sign type isn't essential but significantly reduces customer confusion and phone calls asking "what do I do now?"
Text template:
"WELCOME CURBSIDE PICKUP CUSTOMERS
1. Park in numbered stall
2. Call or text [phone number]
3. Give us your order # and stall #
4. We'll bring your order out!
Have photo ID ready"
Size: 18×24 inches, placed on your building near the entrance or on a standing sign in the pickup area.
For the complete operational context around your signage, see our BOPIS Holiday Playbook covering setup, policies, and workflows.
Every template below is designed for easy customization and printing. They're formatted for standard sign sizes and use high-contrast colors proven for visibility.
Our free signage template package includes:
Access the complete template package here: [Download Free BOPIS Signage Templates]
The download is a ZIP file containing all templates in PDF format (ready to print as-is) plus links to editable Canva versions where you can customize colors, phone numbers, and text before printing.
What you can customize:
What you shouldn't change:
If you want to edit templates before printing:
Step 1: Click the Canva link provided with your download. This opens an editable version of the template.
Step 2: Click "Use template" to create your own copy you can edit.
Step 3: Click on text elements to edit. Replace "[YOUR PHONE]" with your actual number. Change "BOPIS Pickup" to "Curbside Pickup" if you prefer that terminology.
Step 4: Don't resize or move elements—they're positioned for optimal visibility. Just change the text content.
Step 5: Download as PDF (high quality, 300 DPI). This is what you'll send to the printer or print yourself.
Total customization time: 5-10 minutes for all templates.
Our numbered stall marker templates use this proven layout:
Top section (30%): "CURBSIDE PICKUP" in bold, sans-serif font, high contrast
Middle section (50%): Giant number (1, 2, 3, etc.) —this is the most important element
Bottom section (20%): "Call (XXX) XXX-XXXX when you arrive" in readable but smaller text
Color scheme: Black text on safety orange background (hex #FF6600) for maximum daytime visibility. For nighttime, we use reflective materials (covered in printer specs below).
If you can't access our templates or need emergency signage today, here's a text-only approach you can create in Microsoft Word or Google Docs:
Directional sign text:
CURBSIDE PICKUP →
(96pt bold font, print on 24×36 paper or poster board)
Stall marker text:
CURBSIDE PICKUP
[NUMBER in 200pt font]
STALL [NUMBER]
(Print each on 24×36, laminate if possible)
This works in a pinch but lacks the design polish and visibility optimization of our templates. Use it to launch quickly, then upgrade to proper signage within a week.
These free templates get you started, but our Curbside Signage Mega Pack gives you 50+ premium designs including branded templates, seasonal variations, multiple color schemes, and specialty signs for specific scenarios.
Mega Pack Includes:
Instant download • Lifetime access • Commercial use license included
The right material makes the difference between signs that last six months and signs that fall apart in the first rainstorm. Here's what to specify when printing.
Option 1: Coroplast (Corrugated Plastic) — BEST for outdoor standing signs
Coroplast is corrugated plastic sheeting—think of it as plastic cardboard. It's waterproof, lightweight, durable, and the standard material for yard signs and real estate signs.
Option 2: Aluminum Composite (Dibond) — BEST for premium/permanent installations
Two thin aluminum sheets bonded to a plastic core. Professional, rigid, and very durable. Used by major retailers for permanent signage.
Option 3: Vinyl Banner Material — GOOD for large temporary signs
Flexible vinyl, typically 13oz weight for outdoor use. Often used for event banners and temporary signage.
Option 4: Laminated Paper/Poster Board — ACCEPTABLE for indoor/temporary use only
Regular heavy paper or poster board, printed and laminated for basic weather resistance.
For small quantities (under 50 signs), use digital printing. It's faster and cheaper for low volumes. Most local print shops and online services (Vistaprint, Signs.com, local FedEx Office) use digital printers for coroplast and vinyl.
Screen printing is only cost-effective for 100+ identical signs—not practical for most single-location BOPIS programs.
Bring or email your PDF templates with these specifications:
Print Specifications for BOPIS Signage
Material: 4mm white coroplast (or 6mm for signs larger than 24×36)
Quantity: [Your quantity—1 directional, 4-6 stall markers, 1 window decal]
Size: 24×36 inches for directional/stall markers; 18×24 for window decal
Print: Full color, single-sided (or double-sided for A-frames if desired)
Finish: UV-resistant inks; optional: reflective overlay or reflective inks for nighttime visibility
Mounting: Include H-stakes for ground mounting (directional and stall markers)
File format: High-resolution PDF, 300 DPI
Turnaround: [Your needed date]
Additional: Round corners optional for safety (prevents sharp edges)
Most shops will quote you $10-20 per 24×36 coroplast sign, including stakes. Aluminum costs more ($30-60). Get quotes from 2-3 shops or online vendors—prices vary significantly.
If your store is open after dark and you do evening pickups, invest in reflective signage. Two options:
Option A: Reflective overlay film — A clear reflective sheet applied over your printed sign. Reflects headlights back to drivers. Adds $5-10 per sign.
Option B: Reflective inks/vinyl — The print shop uses reflective materials in the printing process. More expensive but more durable. Adds $10-20 per sign.
According to parking sign visibility standards, Type III reflective sheeting is the minimum for roadway signs visible at night. Ask your print shop if they offer Type III or Engineer Grade reflective materials.
If reflective signage is outside your budget, add simple LED spotlights aimed at your stall numbers. A $20 solar LED flood light makes a huge difference for night visibility.
Can you print these yourself to save money? Depends on your printer and budget.
What you'll need:
Process: Print templates on cardstock, laminate with clear laminating sheets, mount to foam board or coroplast backing (buy from craft store), attach to stakes.
Cost per sign (DIY): $3-8 depending on materials. Time investment: 30-60 minutes per sign for cutting, laminating, mounting.
Verdict: DIY saves money but costs time and looks less professional. Worth it for temporary/testing purposes or if you have laminating equipment already. For permanent signage, pay for professional printing—it's only slightly more expensive and looks significantly better.
Your signage needs to be readable by drivers with vision impairments and meet accessibility standards. Here's what that means in practice.
According to ADA Standards for Accessible Design and parking sign compliance guides, parking signs must meet specific standards:
Mounting height: Signs must be mounted at least 60 inches from ground to bottom of sign. This prevents them from being blocked by vehicles. Maximum height is 84 inches to center of sign for readability.
Character height: Letters must be proportionate to viewing distance. For signs readable from 50 feet (typical parking lot), minimum character height is 4 inches. For stall numbers that need to be readable from 30 feet, 3-inch characters work.
Contrast ratio: Text and background must have at least 70% contrast. Black on yellow = 96% contrast (excellent). Black on white = 100% contrast (excellent). Dark blue on dark green = poor contrast, avoid it.
Font style: Sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Verdana) are more readable than serif fonts (Times New Roman) for signage. Avoid decorative or script fonts entirely.
Finish: Non-glare or matte finish prevents sun reflections that obscure text. Glossy signs can be unreadable in direct sunlight.
The free templates provided above are designed to meet or exceed these standards:
You don't need to modify anything for ADA compliance—just print and install as directed.
ADA standards are minimums. Here's how to make your signs even more effective:
Use color psychology: Yellow/orange = caution/attention (good for parking instructions). Green = go/direction (good for arrows). Red = stop/reserved (use sparingly, can imply "don't park here").
Minimize words: Drivers glance at signs for 1-2 seconds. They can process 3-5 words maximum. "Curbside Pickup →" is better than "Park here for curbside pickup service →".
Numbers over names: "Stall 3" is instantly recognizable. "Jennifer's Pickup Spot" requires reading and processing. Use numbers for stalls, save names for special cases (handicap, expecting mother, etc.).
Arrows matter: Use thick, bold arrows. Thin or fancy arrows get missed. The arrow should be at least 30% of the sign's width.
Test from a vehicle: Before finalizing placement, sit in a car 30 feet away and verify you can read every sign. If you struggle, the sign is either too small, too far, or has poor contrast.
If you operate past sunset, verify these elements:
The most common night failure: stall numbers that are invisible after dark. A $15 solar spotlight solves this immediately.
Great signs become useless signs if installed incorrectly. Here's how to mount each sign type for maximum visibility and durability.
Option 1: Freestanding A-frame (easiest, no tools needed)
A-frame signs sit on the ground with an A-shaped base. They're portable and require no installation.
Option 2: Post-mounted directional (more permanent)
Option 1: H-stakes (ground stakes) — Most common
H-stakes are metal or plastic stakes shaped like an "H" that slide into corrugated plastic signs and stake into the ground.
Option 2: Post-mounted stall markers
Option 3: Pavement stencil
Paint stall numbers directly on the pavement using stencils.
Combine approaches: pavement numbers for permanence plus standing signs with phone numbers for functionality.
Window decals attach to glass using adhesive backing. They're visible from outside but applied from inside.
Application steps:
Placement tips: Eye level for drivers sitting in cars (48-60 inches from ground). Avoid window sections with tint or glare. If no suitable window exists, use an outdoor-rated rigid sign mounted to the building instead.
For basic installation of A-frames and H-stakes (most common setup):
For post-mounted installations:
Total tool cost (if you own nothing): $30-50 for basic tools, $100-150 for post installation tools. Or hire a handyman for $100-200 to install everything in 2-3 hours.
These templates get you started, but our Curbside Signage Mega Pack includes print-shop-ready files with bleed marks, crop marks, and color profiles—everything print shops need for perfect results on the first try.
Plus you get:
Instant download • Print-shop-ready files • Lifetime access
Here's what a complete professional signage system actually costs, from budget to premium.
Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Cardstock paper (11×17) | 10 sheets | $0.50 | $5 |
Laminating pouches | 10 | $1.00 | $10 |
Foam board backing | 4 sheets | $3.00 | $12 |
H-stakes (24-inch) | 5 | $2.00 | $10 |
Spray adhesive | 1 can | $8.00 | $8 |
Total Budget Option | $45 |
Lifespan: 2-4 months outdoors
Time investment: 3-4 hours
Appearance: DIY, acceptable for short-term
Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Directional A-frame (24×36, printed coroplast + frame) | 1 | $50 | $50 |
Stall markers (24×36, printed coroplast + H-stake) | 4 | $15 | $60 |
Window decal (18×24, vinyl) | 1 | $20 | $20 |
Sandbags for A-frame | 2 | $8 | $16 |
Total Standard Option | $146 |
Lifespan: 12-24 months outdoors
Time investment: 1 hour installation
Appearance: Professional, standard retail
Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Post-mounted directional (36×48 aluminum, reflective, installed) | 1 | $180 | $180 |
Post-mounted stall markers (24×36 aluminum, reflective, installed) | 4 | $120 | $480 |
Building-mounted entrance sign (24×36 aluminum, backlit) | 1 | $150 | $150 |
LED spotlights for nighttime (solar) | 4 | $25 | $100 |
Total Premium Option | $910 |
Lifespan: 5+ years
Time investment: 4-6 hours professional installation
Appearance: Major retailer quality
Most stores should start with the Standard Option ($146). It looks professional, lasts a year or more, and you can install it yourself in an hour. After six months of successful BOPIS operations, upgrade to premium permanent signage if the program proves valuable.
Don't start with Budget DIY unless you're testing pickup for just a few weeks. The time investment isn't worth the savings, and it looks unprofessional to customers.
For complete BOPIS operational costs beyond signage, see our Holiday Playbook with staffing calculators and policy templates.
Signs face sun, rain, wind, and temperature extremes. Here's how to keep them looking professional.
Monthly checks:
Quarterly maintenance:
Annual replacement:
Wind damage: Most common problem. H-stake signs act as sails and can be ripped out. Solutions: Weight A-frames with 20+ pounds. Use longer stakes (30-inch instead of 24-inch) for exposed areas. Replace with post-mounted signs in consistently windy locations.
Sun fading: UV rays fade colors over time. UV-resistant inks slow this but don't prevent it entirely. Orange and yellow fade faster than black/white. Solution: Budget for reprinting every 18 months, or start with aluminum signs with baked-on finishes that resist UV better.
Rain/moisture: Coroplast and aluminum are waterproof, but laminated paper signs will fail. Edges are vulnerable—water seeps under lamination and causes peeling. Solution: Use proper outdoor materials (coroplast minimum), or seal all edges with clear tape for laminated DIY signs.
Snow accumulation: In snowy climates, signs near ground level get buried. Stall markers on H-stakes may disappear under snow. Solutions: Mount stall signs higher (post-mounted at 72 inches), or have staff clear snow from sign bases after storms. Pavement-painted numbers obviously get covered—use standing signs as backup.
Temperature extremes: Coroplast warps in extreme heat (120°F+). Vinyl decals can peel in extreme cold. Solution: Use aluminum signs in hot climates (desert Southwest), ensure vinyl decals are rated for temperature range of your location.
Get 2-3 years from coroplast signs with these tips:
These free templates launch your signage, but our Curbside Signage Mega Pack gives you professional-grade designs, installation guides, and specialty templates for every scenario.
Perfect for: Retailers who want branded, seasonal, and specialty signage options
Complete Mega Pack Includes:
Instant download • Commercial use license • Lifetime updates
Signage is one piece of your complete pickup program. For the full operational picture:
Have questions about signage installation or design? Drop a comment below or share this guide with other retailers setting up curbside pickup.
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