A shop window that stops people on the pavement
Passers-by give a window two or three seconds. One clear message, prices they can read and opening hours on the door turn a glance into a step inside.
Shop window signs and displays
A shop window works best with one main message in large lettering readable from across the street, A3 sale or offer signs at eye level, price tickets of A6 or smaller beside the goods, and an A5 opening hours sign on the door. Print on 250 to 300 gsm card, fix it with removable tape and change the window monthly.
Last reviewed 3 October 2026
What a shop window usually needs
- 1
One main message
New season, summer sale, gifts for Father's Day: one idea in large letters. A window with five messages is read as none.
- 2
Sale or offer signs
What is reduced and by how much, such as up to 50% off selected knitwear, at eye level. Be specific; vague sale signs attract fewer people inside.
- 3
Price tickets in the window
A small ticket beside each item on display. Many people will not come in to ask, and a visible price answers the question that keeps them outside.
- 4
Opening hours on the door
Every day of the week, with the hours and any lunch closing, plus a phone number or website. Shoppers checking at 6 pm on a Sunday decide whether to come back.
- 5
Seasonal lettering and cut-outs
A few large letters or shapes for the season or a local event, fixed to the glass or hung on fishing line. They signal that the window changes and is worth looking at again.
Sizes that read from the street
| Piece | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Main window lettering | One letter per A4 or A3 sheet | A3 letters read from across a typical high street |
| Sale sign | A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | Seen from the pavement and passing cars |
| Secondary offer signs | A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | Read by people who have stopped at the glass |
| Price tickets | A7 to A6 (7.4 × 10.5 to 10.5 × 14.8 cm) | Visible without hiding the goods |
| Opening hours sign | A5 (14.8 × 21 cm) | Fits a door panel at eye height |
Free printables for a shop window
A sale sign for the glass, an opening hours sign for the door and price tickets for everything on display.
Sale sign
A printable A3 sale sign for a shop window: SALE in huge white letters on a coral band, an offer line and the sale dates. Edit the words, free PDF.
OpenOpening hours sign
A printable opening hours sign for a shop door: your shop name, a clear table of days and times and a note line. Edit the hours, free A4 PDF.
OpenSale price tickets
Printable was and now sale price tickets: A6 window cards with the old price struck through and the new price huge, on a coral band. Free A4 PDF.
Open
Want the window lettering designed?
WallKiwi's lettering maker designs display lettering from a word and a theme, such as summer sale in hand-painted coral letters, one letter per sheet, ready to print and fix to the glass. Designs use credits, and a free account includes some each month.
Questions people ask
What should be on a shop opening hours sign?
The hours for every day of the week, with closed days and any lunch closing shown clearly, plus a phone number, website or social handle. Update it before bank holidays and add a note for changed hours.
How big should shop window lettering be?
For a message read from across a high street, letters around 15 cm tall or more are a sensible starting point. Test it by printing one letter, taping it up and reading it from the opposite pavement.
How often should I change a shop window?
Many independent shops change the window every two to four weeks, and always for the season or a local event. Even small changes, such as a new main item, tell regular passers-by something is new.
Are there rules about sale signs?
In the UK, price and sale claims must not mislead customers, for example about the previous price or how much is reduced. Check current trading standards guidance before running a sale.
Should I cover the whole window with signs?
No. Leave clear glass so people can see in and the shop looks open and welcoming. Some insurers and landlords also have views on blocked windows, so check your lease and policy.