Make Protest Signs
As numbers of protest rise in the current Neo-Protest Era, you may find yourself heated about issues and yearning to take part, but you are stumped. You don't know how to make the effective poster? If so, you are at the right place!
Steps
- Gather the materials needed. Sit down in a roomy area and start working. You need cardboard, poster board , markers , ruler and paint.
- Decide in advance what your sign will say. Try to keep what you write to a bare minimum- a three or four word phrase that people can read quickly, but will stay in their minds for a while after, is normally the absolute best thing to do.
- Choose one of the two poster boards to be the front. Normally, protest signs have things written on both sides, but if you are on a budget, or one of the boards is torn up, it is very simple to make a sign with only one.
- Make a general outline of what you're going to write. It's not a very effective protest sign that has sloppy handwriting that no one can read.. Make sure that your writing is clear and legible, as well as large enough for someone a bit away can read.
- Decide what decorations to add. This is purely optional if you want to keep a more somber view on your protest sign, but if you would like it to be eye-catching, add decoration! Glitter is always effective, though flashy, but bright outlines are normally the best way to go. They keep a professional air, but catch onlooker's eyes effectively.
- Outline the words in dark marker. Fill in the letters. Try to use darker colours when actually filling in the words- that way, people from a long distance away can read what you have to say. Save the flashier colours for decoration.
- Repeat for the other poster board. This is optional; you can, as previously stated, just have a one poster board sign. It is important to note however that if you are expecting your protest to receive any form of media attention, having a double sided sign is much more effective in conveying your message. The media will likely cover the protest from an array of aesthetic angles, and at certain points it is likely that the protesters will not all have signs facing the same direction. Making a double sided sign capitalizes on as many angles as possible and can greatly increase message visibility.
- Attach a handle to your sign. This is so that you can hold up the sign above people's heads. Do not use wood as it is not permitted in many cities. Use a hollow cardboard tube instead. Just hot glue the tube to the sign.
- Finished.
Tips
- Make sure your signs can hold up to the elements you will be encountering. If it is a particularly windy day, you may wish to reinforce your signs with some lightweight wood or plastic, and make sure your tape is strong enough to hold. If it is going to rain, try to have your sign laminated.
- Signs die unexpectedly. Bring extra. This is also useful if people show up you hadn't planned on and wish to help.
- Sandwich boards are an effective method of spreading your message, and they leave your hands free for handing out material too!
- If you are going to have 8 or more people, consider making a banner. Regular paper should not be used, as it is prone to rip. Try canvas or plastic.
- Always keep materials handy to patch up your signs during or in-between protests.
- A picture speaks a thousand words. If there are others at your protest with the signs and information needed to back your picture, find an impacting photograph etc. and put it on a poster with no words. let it speak for itself.
- Lightweight material is best, but even then you may get tired of holding the sign above your head. Try different things, like using your belt to support the handle of the sign if its long enough (don't make it look silly, just rest the sign handle on the edge of your belt, taking the weight off your shoulders and placing it on your legs).
- If you are going to be holding your sign above your head (and this is the most effective place) then make sure it isn't too heavy. You may wish to practice holding heavy objects above head level (wear a hard hat :D) for long periods of time before the protest as your muscles will become fatigued quickly. This is especially true if you live in a windy area, or are going to be protesting on a street between two tall buildings, essentially making it a small wind tunnel.
- Make sure you write bold and clearly so readers can understand.
- When making the sign, try to use lightweight plasterboard or cardboard. It works the best.
Things You'll Need
- one or two poster boards
- markers
- hot glue
- glitter
- hollow cardboard tube
- a ruler
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