Bandit Signs Tips

No fluff — just the practical tips that separate a bandit sign campaign that generates leads from one that generates fines. Pair this with the full guide if you need the complete step-by-step.

Design

• One message, one phone number, nothing else — clutter kills readability at driving speed.
• Print on rigid corrugated plastic, not paper or cardboard — it needs to survive wind and rain for at least a few days.
• Use a color that contrasts hard against the sign background (dark text on bright background, or vice versa) — visible from a moving car, not just up close.

Placement

• Stop signs and red lights beat mid-block placement — give drivers time to actually read it.
• Never place on highway rights-of-way or on private property without permission.
• Spread out across multiple intersections instead of clustering — fewer complaints, more reach.

Tracking

• Use a dedicated or tracked number so you know which signs and areas are producing calls.
• Log every placement location and date somewhere your whole team can see — a shared spreadsheet is enough.
• Assign each print batch a short code so you can tell your best-performing design from your worst.

Compliance

• Check your city and county ordinance before your first sign goes up — rules vary a lot by jurisdiction.
• Set a removal date the same day you place the sign, not after a complaint shows up.
• Do a weekly sweep — replace damaged signs, pull expired ones, and note anything missing.

Follow-Up

• Answer every call live if you can — voicemail loses a meaningful share of motivated-seller leads.
• Have your qualifying questions ready before the phone rings, not while the seller is on the line.
• Run the numbers on every serious lead before you make an offer — a sign that generates a call is worthless if the offer that follows doesn't work.