Wedding sign sizes: welcome signs, seating charts and easels
18 x 24 or 24 x 36? How big a seating chart needs to be for your guest count, which easel holds which sign, and foam board vs PVC vs acrylic, with the math worked out.
The most common wedding welcome sign is 24 x 36 inches, and the most common seating chart is 24 x 36 inches for up to about 150 guests or 36 x 48 inches for larger weddings. Smaller signs (bar menus, unplugged-ceremony notices, card and gift tables) usually run 8 x 10 to 18 x 24 inches. Those sizes line up with standard poster sizes, which means cheap printing, off-the-shelf frames and easels that fit.
The rest of this guide shows how to pick each size, how to check a seating chart will actually be readable, and what to mount it on.
Welcome sign: 18 x 24 or 24 x 36?
A welcome sign greets guests at the ceremony or reception entrance. People read it walking past from about 5 to 15 feet away, and it appears in a lot of photos.
| Size | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16 x 20 in | Small venues, a table-top easel, an intimate dinner | Looks small on a floor easel in a large room |
| 18 x 24 in | Most indoor venues, entryways, a narrow hallway | Easy to transport; fits a standard poster frame |
| 24 x 36 in | Ballrooms, barns, outdoor ceremonies, statement signs | The most popular choice; reads well in photos |
| 36 x 48 in | Very large spaces, combined welcome-plus-seating boards | Needs a sturdy easel; awkward in a car |
If you are unsure, choose 24 x 36. At that size, a couple's names set 3 to 4 inches tall read comfortably from across an entry hall, and the sign holds its own next to flowers and décor. 18 x 24 is the better buy for small spaces or when you'll carry everything in a compact car.
Seating chart: size it from your guest list
A seating chart is read up close (2 to 6 feet) by guests looking for one name. It must hold every name at a size people can scan quickly. Work it out:
- Pick a name size. About 0.4 to 0.6 inch tall text (roughly 30 to 45 point) reads comfortably at arm's length to a few feet.
- Allow line spacing. With spacing, each name takes about 0.6 to 0.8 inch of height.
- Count rows per column. On a 36-inch-tall chart, after a 6-inch title area and margins, you have about 26 to 28 inches: roughly 35 to 45 names per column.
- Count columns. A 24-inch-wide chart fits 3 to 4 columns; 36 inches fits 5 or 6.
| Chart size | Approximate guest capacity (alphabetical list) |
|---|---|
| 18 x 24 in | up to about 80 |
| 24 x 36 in | about 100 to 160 |
| 36 x 48 in | about 180 to 280 |
Listing guests by table instead of alphabetically uses more space (each table needs a heading) but helps with families; reduce the capacity by about 20%. Alphabetical by last name is fastest for guests to scan.
Other wedding signs
| Sign | Common size |
|---|---|
| Bar menu / signature cocktails | 11 x 14 or 16 x 20 in |
| Unplugged ceremony | 16 x 20 or 18 x 24 in |
| Cards and gifts, guest book | 8 x 10 or 11 x 14 in (table-top) |
| Order of events / program board | 24 x 36 in |
| Directional signs (parking, ceremony this way) | 18 x 24 in, or yard signs outdoors |
| Table numbers | 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 in |
Choosing an easel
- Table-top easels hold 8 x 10 to 16 x 20 in signs.
- Floor display easels (tripod style) commonly hold signs up to 24 x 36 in. Check the ledge depth: it must hold your board's thickness (foam board is usually 3/16 or 1/2 inch; acrylic with stand-offs needs more).
- Heavy-duty or A-frame easels suit 36 x 48 in boards, framed signs and outdoor use.
Outdoors, a sign on an easel is a sail. Clip the sign to the easel, weight the legs, or choose a heavier easel and a rigid board. Most venues have easels to borrow; ask before you buy.
What to print and mount on
| Material | Look | Weight | Outdoors? | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster paper (unmounted, framed) | Classic, glare-free with matte paper | Light | No (unless framed under glazing) | Lowest |
| Foam board (3/16 in) | Clean, light | Very light | Breezy shade only; warps in damp | Low |
| PVC / Sintra board (3 mm) | Smooth, rigid | Medium | Yes | Medium |
| Gatorboard | Very rigid, flat | Light | Better than foam board | Medium |
| Acrylic (clear or frosted) | Modern, high-end | Heavy | Yes, but glare in sun | High |
| Canvas or fabric | Soft, rustic | Light | Some | Medium |
For most couples, a 24 x 36 in print on matte poster paper mounted to foam board or placed in an inexpensive frame is the best balance of cost and looks. Matte paper avoids flash glare in photos. Our poster paper guide and framing guide cover the details, and frames for 18 x 24 and 24 x 36 in are easy to find off the shelf (see the poster size chart).
File setup for wedding signs
- Design at the final size (for example 24 x 36 in) in Canva, Adobe or your printer's design tool.
- Resolution: 150 ppi at full size is plenty for signs viewed from a few feet: 3,600 x 5,400 pixels for 24 x 36 in. Photos look best at 150 to 300 ppi.
- Bleed: add the bleed your printer asks for (often 1/8 inch) if the design runs to the edge.
- Script fonts: use them for the names only; set guest names and table info in a clear serif or sans.
- Proofread names twice, ideally with someone who knows the guest list.
See print resolution and CMYK vs RGB if colors matter.
Budget and timeline
Order signs at least two to three weeks before the wedding, and the seating chart last, after RSVPs close, with a few days' buffer for printing and delivery. Print one spare copy of the seating chart on paper in case of last-minute table changes. For a quick reprint near the date, photo counters at drugstores and big-box stores print 24 x 36 in posters; Walgreens listed 24 x 36 in posters at $31.99 when we checked in October 2026.
Where to shop for posters and wall art
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Questions people ask
What size should a wedding welcome sign be?
24 x 36 inches is the most popular size and reads well in most venues and photos. Choose 18 x 24 inches for small venues or tight spaces.
What size seating chart for 150 guests?
24 x 36 inches fits about 100 to 160 guests listed alphabetically at a readable size. For 180 or more, use 36 x 48 inches.
What size easel for a 24x36 sign?
A floor display easel rated for 24 x 36 inch boards, with a ledge deep enough for your board's thickness. Weight or clip it outdoors.
Foam board or acrylic for a wedding sign?
Foam board is light and cheap and looks clean indoors. Acrylic looks high-end and handles outdoor use better but is heavier, costs more and can glare in sun.
What resolution should a wedding sign file be?
About 150 pixels per inch at the final size: 3,600 x 5,400 pixels for a 24 x 36 inch sign.
Where to shop for posters and wall art
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Sources and further reading
Written and checked by K.R. for UnlimitedBanners.com. Product specs and prices change; confirm details with the printer or seller before you order. Spot an error? Tell us.
Keep reading
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