Election and campaign posters
Before the design, check the rules. Election print carries legal requirements, and this page is a printer's guide, not legal advice.
Confirm these with the proper authority.
Rules differ by type of election, nation and date, and they get updated. So we are not giving them here as official guidance. Before printing, your agent or campaign lead should check the current position with the Electoral Commission, your local authority's elections office and, for display questions, your council's planning team. These are the areas to ask about.
- Imprints. UK election material generally has to carry an imprint naming those responsible for it, which can include the printer and promoter. Ask the Electoral Commission for the current wording that applies to you, and for the rules on non-party campaigners. Tell us if you need our details for this.
- Spending. Print can count towards campaign spending limits, so keep every invoice, and know who is authorised to place orders.
- Display. Posters and boards generally need the permission of the owner of the land or building. Lamp posts, trees and street furniture are usually not available. There can also be conditions on how long boards stay up after polling day.
- Non-election campaigns. A campaign to save a library or fight a planning application has different rules, but the display permissions still apply. If in doubt, ask your council.
We cannot give legal advice or check that your material complies. That responsibility stays with the campaign.
Choosing a format
| Format | Where it goes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Window poster, A3 | Supporters' homes and shops | Light and cheap, and simple to hand out |
| Poster, A2 | Committee rooms and noticeboards | Good for meetings and halls |
| Corex stake board | Front gardens, with consent | Sheds rain. Ask about stakes and double-sided printing |
| PVC banner | A supporter's fence or building | Tie it at each eyelet to stop it flapping |
Poster and board prices
| Size | 1 print | 5+ prints | 20+ prints |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | £7.99 | £5.50 | £3.99 |
| A2 | £13.99 | £9.99 | £6.99 |
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| A2 | £6 |
| A1 | £10 |
Large format poster orders have a £35 minimum, and further discounts are available on quantity, so tell us the total you expect to need.
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Design that works from a moving car
The name is the message, so make it the largest thing on the poster. Add the party or campaign name and one short line. Strong, simple colour helps, and a high-contrast mix will read at a distance. A photograph at this size needs to be clear and sharp, so ask for a high-resolution file.
Before you approve the proof
- Check the candidate's name, spelling and ward or constituency.
- Check the date of the poll, if it is shown.
- Confirm the imprint is present, readable and correct.
- Have your agent sign it off in writing.
Reprinting a run because of a missing imprint is a painful waste of budget. Campaigns run on short timetables, so talk to us before nominations close. Our guide to printing on a short deadline may help.
Print in numbers.
Your questions.
Do you add the imprint for us?
Your agent should supply the imprint text for the artwork, because the responsibility for it lies with the campaign. Tell us if you need our printer details to complete it, and our designers can place it in the layout.
Will you print for any party or campaign?
Talk to us about your job. We cannot advise on political content or on whether material complies, so that sign-off has to come from your side.
Can a board be printed on both sides?
Ask us when you order, since a double-sided board is seen from both directions of traffic, which makes it useful for a garden or a corner plot.