Black Friday Signage for London Shops: Window Posters, Foam Board and Pull-Up Banners

Black Friday lands on Friday 27 November 2026. Cyber Monday follows on Monday 30 November 2026. Good Black Friday signage has one job. It makes someone on a London pavement stop, look and step inside. This guide shows you how, using print from ExactPrint.

Why Shops Need Clear Signs This November

Here is the tough bit. According to BRC-Sensormatic data for September 2026, UK retail footfall fell 2.9% compared with September 2025. Fewer people are out shopping. So, the ones who do wander past need a clear reason to come in.

Think of a boutique in Islington, a gift shop in Hackney or an independent store in Southwark. Different streets, same problem. People walk fast, phones in hand, thinking about lunch. Your sign has about as long as a bus passing to say something useful. (Slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean.)

Here is a small test you can try tonight. Walk to the end of your street and look back at your shop. Can you tell what you sell? Can you tell something special is on? If not, your sign has work to do. Good news, that is easy to fix.

Start Earlier Than You Think

Many retailers start the week before Black Friday. That means shoppers may already be in a sale mood by then. Your signs should be ready before you feel ready. Honestly, that is the whole trick.

Window Poster Printing: Your Shop’s First Hello

Your window is free space. Use it well. People see it before they see anything else about you. Window poster printing gives you a big, bold message that people can read from across the road.

Two sizes do most of the work:

• An A1 poster is 594 x 841mm. It is big enough to read from the pavement.
• An A2 poster is 420 x 594mm. It suits smaller panes and door glass.

ExactPrint’s A1 poster page lists a same-day dispatch option at checkout.

Posters behind glass stay out of the rain. If a poster has to hang outside, choose waterproof posters instead.

Four Steps to a Poster People Actually Read

1. Pick one message. “Black Friday starts here” beats five lines of tiny words.
2. Use big letters. If you have to squint, it is too small.
3. Keep the colours strong. Dark on light, or light on dark.
4. Add a date, like Friday 27 November 2026, so people know when to come back.

Foam Board Signs for Inside Your Shop

The window gets people through the door. Then what? Inside, foam board signs point them to the right spot.

Foam board is a paper-faced foam core, made for indoor and short-term outdoor display. It is light and flat. For a shop sign, keep it inside. It is not waterproof, so treat it kindly.

An A1 foam board gives you a large statement for a back wall or a busy corner. An A2 foam board is a better fit for a display table, a rail or the till area.

ExactPrint’s A1 foam board page lists same-day printing and mounting, and the A2 foam board page lists a same-day or next-day delivery option.

Here are a few jobs a foam board sign can do:

• Point to your new arrivals
• Show where the gift ideas live
• Say a short thank you near the till
• Share a note about whatever offer you decide to run

Short beats clever here. A shopper holding a basket will not read a paragraph. Think of foam board as the friendly shop assistant who points and says, “Over there.”

Pull Up Roller Banner: Tall and Hard to Miss

Some shops are narrow. Some have a tiny bit of floor near the door. A pull up roller banner is made for that. It is tall and slim, so it takes up little room but still gets noticed.

The pull-up roller banner at 800 x 2000mm is a good size for a big message. Put one near the entrance, where people pause before they decide to browse. ExactPrint’s banner page lists same-day delivery across London.

A pull-up banner works well for a headline plus one line of detail. No more than that, please. Not sure what to say? Try one headline, one date and your shop name. That is plenty.

Leave some empty space around the words too. Empty space is not wasted space. It gives the eye somewhere to rest.

Keep your roller banner indoors. If you need a banner outside, go for PVC banners, which are the right choice for tougher conditions.

Add Something to Take Home

Signs catch people. Flyers keep them. A5 flyers measure 148 x 210mm, small enough for a coat pocket or a shopping bag. Pop your shop details on the front, and maybe a reminder of your Cyber Monday plans on the back.

Pick Your Player: Which Sign Does What?

Not sure what to order first? This table might help.

If your budget is tight, start with posters. They do the most work for the fewest decisions.

Mistakes That Quietly Waste a Good Sign

Even a smart sign can fall flat. Watch out for these.

Too many words: If a stranger cannot read it in a few steps, trim it. Cut the first line. Then cut the second.

Mixed messages: Three posters shouting three different things feels like a noisy market. Choose one main message and let the others help it along.

The wrong spot: A tall banner hidden behind a rail does nothing. Before you open, stand outside and look at your shop like a stranger. Where do your eyes go first? Put your sign there.

Forgetting the end: Signs tend to stay up longer than plans do. After Cyber Monday, take down anything that no longer fits, so your shop does not look stuck in the past.

A Simple Plan for the Week

Plans make busy weeks calmer. Here is one way to run yours:

• Early in November: Finish your artwork. Check the spelling twice. Then check it a third time, because typos love big print.
• The week before Black Friday: Put up your window posters and foam boards. Many retailers start this week, so you do not want to be last.
• Friday 27 November 2026: Black Friday. Make sure the roller banner is by the door and your shop looks tidy.
• Monday 30 November 2026: Cyber Monday. Swap a sign or hand out flyers that point to your website.

One small but important point. If your signs show sale pricing, check the rules with Trading Standards or GOV.UK first. ExactPrint prints the artwork you send, so the wording is yours to get right.

Get Your Black Friday Signage Ready Early

Black Friday signage does not need to be fancy. It needs to be clear, bold and up on time. Use a poster to pull people off the street. Use foam board to guide them inside. Let a roller banner give your entrance a strong voice.

London shops get busy fast in late November, from Soho to Shoreditch. Your sign works all day, even when you are busy with a queue. So, pick your message, choose your sizes and get it printed. Ready to start? Take a look at the A1 poster and give your window something worth stopping for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use foam board signs outside my shop?

Foam board is a paper-faced foam core, made for indoor and short-term outdoor display. For a shop sign it is wiser to keep it inside. For outside, choose waterproof posters or PVC banners instead. They cope far better with a wet November day than foam board ever could.

What poster size suits a shop window?

A1 poster at 594 x 841mm suits most shop fronts and reads well from the pavement. An A2 poster at 420 x 594mm works for smaller panes or door glass.

How early should I order signs for Black Friday?

Many retailers start the week before Black Friday, so aim to have signs ready by then. Order early, leave time to check your artwork, and avoid a last-minute scramble on busy days.

Is a pull up roller banner right for a small shop?

Yes, often. A roller banner is tall and slim, so it needs little floor space. At 800 x 2000mm it gives you a large message near the entrance without crowding the shop.

Do I need to check sale pricing rules before printing?

If your signs show sale pricing, yes. Check the rules with Trading Standards or GOV.UK before you print. ExactPrint prints the artwork you supply, so the wording and prices on it are your responsibility.