Waterproof Posters for Outdoor Events in Manchester: Which Size Works Where

Manchester does outdoor events properly. Castlefield Bowl, down by the canals and the old viaducts, hosts outdoor concerts. Parks across the city fill up with fun days, markets and festivals all summer long.

And then there's the weather. You know the joke. It's Manchester. It might rain.

So if you're putting up posters outside, paper isn't going to cut it. This guide covers waterproof posters for outdoor events: what waterproof really means, which size works where, and when to go for a banner or a rigid board instead.

What waterproof means for a poster

A normal paper poster soaks up water. In a shower it goes soft, the ink can run, and the corners start to curl and tear. By the next morning, it's a sad grey rag on a fence.

A waterproof poster is made to cope with getting wet. That's the whole point. It's built for spots where a paper poster just wouldn't last.

Read the product page

Every material has its limits. How long a waterproof poster lasts outside depends on what it's made from, how it's fixed and how exposed the spot is. Before you order, check the product page for the details on the material and its intended use. Choose based on what it says, not on guesswork.

What waterproof doesn't mean

It doesn't mean the poster will survive being ripped off a fence by the wind. How you fix it matters a lot.
It doesn't mean it can stay up forever. Sun, wind and grime all take their toll over time.
It doesn't mean you can put it anywhere. More on permission below.

A3, A2 and A1 outdoors

Here's how we'd think about outdoor poster sizes.

Size	Dimensions	Best for
A3	297 x 420 mm	Gates, noticeboards, info points, toilets, food stalls
A2	420 x 594 mm	Entrances, ticket booths, direction signs
A1	594 x 841 mm	Main entrance, stage areas, big "welcome" signs

A3: small but useful

An A3 waterproof poster is ideal for close-up info. Opening times, rules, "toilets this way", a map by the entrance.
Easy to put in lots of places around a site.

A2: the all-rounder

An A2 waterproof poster is readable from a few steps away.
Great for direction signs and entrance info.

A1: the one people see first

An A1 waterproof poster is big enough to read from across a field or a busy path.
Use it for your main welcome sign, the stage line-up or the event name at the gate.

How to pick

Read up close? A3.
Read while walking past? A2.
Read from a distance? A1.

Design for outdoors

Big, bold text. People read outdoor signs on the move.
Strong contrast. Bright sun and grey skies both wash out weak colours.
Short words. "Toilets" beats "Toilet facilities are located to your left".
Arrows for direction signs. Make them big.

PVC banners for longer displays

If you need something bigger, or something that stays up for the whole season, look at a banner.

A PVC banner is made for outdoor use and comes in much larger sizes than a poster.
It's great for a fence line, a stage front, a gate or the side of a marquee.
Check the product page for sizes and finishing options before you design.

When a banner beats a poster

When you need people to see it from far away.
When it'll be up for weeks, not one day.
When you want one big sign instead of lots of small ones.

Foamex versus foam board

These two sound alike, and lots of people mix them up. They're quite different.

Foam board: for indoors only

Foam board has a soft foam core with firmer outer layers.
It's light and looks sharp, but it is not waterproof. Keep it inside.
It's great in a marquee or a tent, as long as it won't get wet.

Foamex: the tougher option

Foamex is a rigid PVC board. It's a sturdier choice when a sign needs to stand up to more knocks.
An A1 Foamex board makes a solid sign for an entrance or info point.
Check the product page to see whether it suits your spot and how long you'll need it.

Quick rule

Inside and dry? Foam board is fine. Outside or likely to get wet? Pick a waterproof poster, a PVC banner or Foamex.

Where you can put them

This part matters. Putting posters up on lamp posts, walls, trees or other people's property without permission isn't allowed, and councils can take action.

If your event is on council land, check with Manchester City Council about signs and advertising.
If it's on private land, ask the owner or the venue.
Always take everything down when the event is over. It's good manners, and people remember who left a mess.

Order timeline

Here's how timing works when you order outdoor event poster printing 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
4 weeks before	Map your site. Decide where every sign goes and how big it needs to be.
3 weeks before	Check permissions with the council or landowner. Finish designs.
2 weeks before	Place your order.
8 working days before	Latest sensible order date.
The day before	Lay everything out and check it. Pack cable ties, tape and spares.

Treat these dates as a guide, not a promise. Summer is busy for events, so earlier is always better.

Be ready whatever the sky does

Good waterproof posters mean you can stop checking the forecast and get on with running your event. Pick the right size for each spot, get permission, and fix them well.

Choose your sizes, upload your designs and we'll print and send them to you in Manchester. Not sure what you need? Call us on 020 7701 2515. You can also read more about our poster printing in Manchester City Centre.