Signage for Makers and Container Units: Pull-Up Banners and Foam Board Signs
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Over on the edge of Ancoats and New Islington, there's a little village made of shipping containers. Visit Manchester describes Pollard Yard as almost 100 repurposed containers, each one home to an independent business.
That's a lot of neighbours. And a lot of doors that look much the same from the outside.
If you sell from a small unit, a pop-up or a market space, you've got a real challenge: how do people find you, and how do they know what you sell before they step in? This guide is all about pop up unit signage that works in a small space.
What a small unit needs to be found
Think about how people walk through a yard of units. They wander. They glance left and right. They pick the places that look open, busy and clear.
Your signs need to answer three questions, fast
- Who are you? Your name, big and clear.
- What do you sell? "Handmade ceramics." "Vintage clothing." "Plants." Say it plainly.
- Are you open? An open door helps. A sign that says so helps more.
The small-space problem
- You don't have much wall.
- Your door might be the only spot people can see from the path.
- Corrugated metal walls aren't always easy to fix things to.
So your signs need to stand up on their own or be easy to move. And always check with the site owner before fixing anything to a unit.
Light and weather
- Containers can be dim inside, especially on grey days. Light backgrounds and bold, dark text are easier to read in low light.
- In winter, doors get closed to keep the heat in. When that happens, the sign on your door is all people see. Make sure it says who you are and that you're open.
- In summer, doors swing wide and people drift in and out. That's when a banner just inside the door really pays off.
Pull-up banners inside the unit
A banner is often the best sign for a small space, because it doesn't need a wall at all.
- A pull-up roller banner (800 x 2000 mm) stands about two metres tall on its own base.
- Put it just inside the doorway, facing out. People see it from the path.
- It rolls away at the end of the day, which is handy if your unit is tight on space.
One banner, lots of places
The same banner works at craft fairs, maker markets and pop-ups around the city. If you sell at events as well as in your unit, it's one sign that does both jobs. That's why so many sellers pick a pull up banner for craft markets as their first big sign.
Make it count
- Name and what you sell in the top half.
- One great photo of your best product.
- Leave dates and prices off so you can use it for years.
Foam board signs for products
Inside the unit, people want to understand what they're looking at. That's where foam board signs earn their place.
- They're rigid, light and stay flat.
- They're for indoor use, so keep them inside the unit.
- They can lean on a shelf, sit on a table or stand on a display.
Two sizes we'd suggest
- An A1 foam board (594 x 841 mm) makes a big statement. Use it for your story, your process or your brand.
- An A2 foam board (420 x 594 mm) suits a shelf or counter. Use it for product info, care tips or "how it's made".
Ideas makers love
- A short story: who you are and why you make what you make.
- Photos of your workshop or the making process.
- "Made in Manchester", if it's true.
- "Commissions welcome", if you take custom orders.
Keep it all looking like one brand
Use the same colours, fonts and logo on your banner, boards, cards and posters. In a yard full of different businesses, a consistent look helps people remember you after they've walked on.
Business cards and posters
Business cards for makers
Not everyone buys on the spot. Lots of people come back later, or buy online.
- Pop business cards in every bag and leave a pile by the till.
- Put your website, social handles and a line about what you make.
- If you take commissions, say so on the card.
A3 posters for events and news
- An A3 poster (297 x 420 mm) is great on your door to share a workshop, a sale weekend or a new collection.
- Ask friendly neighbours if you can put one in their window too. Small businesses tend to look out for each other.
Order timeline
Here's how timing works when you order to Manchester.
- Standard UK shipping is 2 to 3 working days of production, then about 2 days for delivery.
- Working days are Monday to Friday.
- Same-day delivery is only for London and inside the M25.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 weeks before | Measure your space. Decide where each sign will go. |
| 2 weeks before | Finish your designs in one matching style. |
| 8 to 10 working days before | Order your banner, boards, cards and posters together. |
| Opening or market day | Banner by the door, boards inside, cards by the till. |
A delivery tip
Many container units aren't staffed all day. Send your order to an address where someone will be in, so the parcel doesn't go back to the depot.
Treat these dates as a guide, not a promise. A few spare days take the stress out of launch week.
Get your unit noticed
The right pop up unit signage turns a metal box into a shop people want to step into. Clear name, clear products, clear welcome.
Choose your signs, upload your designs and we'll print and send them to you. Want help picking sizes? Call us on 020 7701 2515. You can also read more about our banner printing in Manchester City Centre.
