Printable Welcome Signs
The welcome sign is the first thing guests see and the piece most likely to end up in photographs. It is also the easiest thing to overpay for, because custom signs from a designer or a sign shop run into three figures for something you use once.
These are editable templates. Add the names and the date, choose your size, print, and put it on an easel.
Welcome signs for
- Weddings — the entrance, the ceremony, the reception
- Baby showers and gender reveals
- Birthdays, from first to ninetieth
- Bridal showers and engagement parties
- Graduations and retirements
- Christmas and seasonal parties
Sizes
- 8x10 or A4 — prints at home, works in a frame on a table
- 11x14 and 16x20 — a print shop job, good on a tabletop easel
- 18x24 and 24x36 — floor easel size, the standard for weddings
Getting a sharp print at poster size
Export from Canva as PDF Print, never a JPG. JPG compression shows as soft edges on text once you enlarge it past A3. The templates are built at a resolution that holds up at 24x36.
Welcome sign questions
What should a welcome sign say?
The event, the names, and the date. "Welcome to the wedding of Anna and Tom, 14 June 2027" is the whole formula. Resist adding more.
What should I print it on?
Foam board for anything on an easel. Heavy matte cardstock for signs sitting in a frame. Foam board costs a few dollars more and does not curl, which is the entire argument for it.
Where can I get one printed?
Any local copy shop, or an online printer. Upload the PDF, choose the size and the board, and it is usually ready in a day or two.
How far ahead should I print?
One to two weeks, which leaves time to reprint if there is a typo. Proofread the names out loud before you send the file.
Can I make matching signs?
Yes. Duplicate the design in Canva and change the text for the bar, the gift table and the seating plan.
Can I have it printed on acrylic?
Yes. Many print shops accept a PDF and print directly onto acrylic or mirror.