How to fix a sign to a wall
Screwing Foamex and Dibond through drilled corners, tape for light indoor signs, cable ties for Correx, self-adhesive vinyl, and where safety signs should go.
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How to fix a sign to a wall depends on two things: what the sign is made of and what the wall is made of. Rigid boards such as Foamex and Dibond are best screwed through pre-drilled corners into wall plugs; light indoor signs can go on with double-sided mounting tape on a smooth wall; Correx is usually cable tied to fences and railings; self-adhesive vinyl sticks straight onto clean, smooth surfaces. This guide covers each, with the mistakes that crack boards and leave signs hanging crooked.
Order the sign ready to fix #
Working out how to fix a sign to a wall is easiest before you order it. Our rigid boards, including Foamex boards (3, 5 or 10 mm), Dibond aluminium composite signs (3 mm) and Correx boards (3.5 or 5 mm), have a Drilling option with three choices: No, Top corners or All corners. All corners is the one to choose for a wall. The holes are drilled for you before delivery, which saves you drilling through a finished print and chipping the surface.
Top corners suits a sign that hangs from hooks or a chain. No drilling suits tape fixing, or a sign that goes into a frame. Our Foamex, Dibond or Correx guide explains which board suits which spot.
| Sign | Best fixing | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Foamex | Screws through drilled corners, or mounting tape on smooth walls | Indoors, sheltered outdoor spots |
| Dibond | Screws through drilled corners | Outdoors, shop fronts, long-term signs |
| Correx | Cable ties through drilled corners, or screws with washers | Fences, railings, site hoardings, short-term signs |
| Self-adhesive vinyl | Sticks on directly | Smooth, sealed surfaces: glass, painted doors, metal cabinets |
What you need #
- A drill with a masonry bit for brick or block, or a wood bit for timber.
- Wall plugs and screws to suit the wall, with a washer for each screw (dome-headed or plastic washers look neater).
- A spirit level, pencil and tape measure.
- A detector for pipes and cables before drilling into any wall.
- Cable ties for Correx on fences, or double-sided mounting tape for light indoor signs.
How to fix a sign to a wall with screws #
- Check the wall. Run a detector over the area and avoid the lines directly above and below sockets and switches. Make sure the surface is sound: crumbling render or loose tiles will not hold a screw.
- Mark the holes. Hold the sign in position, check it with a spirit level, and mark through each drilled corner with a pencil. For signs with a clear message, the middle of the sign at roughly eye level is easiest to read.
- Drill and plug. Drill each mark to the depth of the plug, clear out the dust, and tap the plugs in flush with the surface.
- Fix the top corners first. Put a washer on each screw and fix the two top corners loosely, so you can still level the sign.
- Fix the bottom corners. Check level again, then fit the bottom screws with washers.
- Tighten gently. Tighten each screw until the sign is held firm and stops moving, then stop. On Foamex in particular, one more turn will crush or crack the board around the hole.
How to fix a sign to a wall without drilling
On a smooth, sound, painted or tiled wall indoors, a light Foamex sign can go up with good quality double-sided mounting tape or adhesive pads. Clean the wall and the back of the sign first, use pads at every corner and one or two across the middle, and press firmly for a minute. This is not suitable for heavy Dibond, for outdoor walls, for textured or freshly painted surfaces, or anywhere the sign could fall on someone. Tape can pull paint off when the sign comes down.
Correx on fences and railings #
Correx is fluted plastic board: light, unharmed by rain and low cost, which is why it is used for site and temporary signs. On a fence, railing or Heras panel, order it drilled in all corners and cable tie it through the holes around an upright. Pull the ties snug, not tight, and cut the tails short. On a timber hoarding, screws with large washers work well; the washer spreads the load so the board does not tear at the hole in wind. For bigger temporary messages on fencing, a mesh banner may suit better; see our guide to banners on Heras fencing.
Self-adhesive vinyl signs #
Many of our safety signs are available in self-adhesive vinyl as well as 3 mm Foamex and 3 mm Dibond. Vinyl needs a clean, dry, smooth surface: glass, gloss paint, metal, laminate. It will not stick well to brick, rough plaster, emulsion that chalks, or anything damp or dusty. The method is the same as for any sticker; our guide on how to apply vinyl stickers walks through it.
Where to put safety signs #
Once you know how to fix a sign to a wall, think about where it will be read. Safety signs should be clearly visible, at a height people will see as they approach, and not hidden behind doors, equipment or stock. Eye level, roughly 1.5 to 1.7 m to the centre of the sign, is a common starting point for wall signs, with fire exit signs often placed above doors. Signs must be well lit and kept clean.
The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 require signs where a risk cannot be controlled another way. Exactly which signs you need and where they go should come from your risk assessment, and for fire signs your fire risk assessment. Our guide to safety sign colours and shapes explains what each type means.
Stand-offs and other fixings #
Stand-off fixings, the metal caps that hold a sign a short distance from the wall, give a smart finish in offices and receptions. We do not sell stand-offs, but a sign ordered with all corners drilled can be used with them. Buy the stand-offs to suit the board thickness, and ask us about the hole size before you order the sign. Still not sure how to fix a sign to a wall in your building? Call 0161 315 1151 or use the contact form and tell us the wall and the sign.
