Birthday Party Welcome Board Printing

Party Signs, Printed From Your Design

You've found the design. It's a template from Etsy, something you put together in Canva, or a photo of the birthday boy or girl that needs to be the size of a door.

We print it. 5mm foam board, A1 or A2, ready to stand on an easel by the entrance or sit behind the cake table. No minimum order, so one board is as easy as a set.

Already Bought a Design on Etsy or Canva?

Most party boards we print started as a downloaded template. The design's done — you just need it printed properly and big.

Two things worth checking before you order:

Is it the right size? Templates are often sold at US sizes — 18x24 or 24x36 inches — rather than A1 or A2. Printing a US-size file at A2 means white edges or content getting cropped. Most sellers will send an A-size version if you ask.

Is it a PDF at full size? A JPEG saved for Instagram will look soft blown up to A1. You want a print-ready PDF at 300dpi.

If you're not sure, send it anyway — we check every file before printing and will tell you if there's a problem.

Sizes

• A2 (420 x 594mm) — the smaller option. Good for a table sign, a dessert table label, or a welcome board at a smaller party.
• A1 (594 x 841mm) — twice the area. The size most people choose for a main welcome board, especially where it's going in the entrance photos.

If the board is going to appear in photographs — and at a milestone birthday it usually does — A1 has more presence and reads properly from across a room.

What People Use Them For

• Milestone birthdays — 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th and beyond. Name, age, and often a photo.
• Children's parties — themed welcome boards matching the decorations, which is where the Etsy templates really come into their own.
• Photo boards — a montage of pictures through the years, which works especially well for a significant birthday.
• Games and activity signs — instructions for whatever's been planned.
• Food and drink labels — bar signs, dessert table names, allergy notices.
• Directional signs — this way to the party, especially at a hired venue.

Gloss or Matt?

Both protect the board. The difference shows up in photographs.

Matt has no shine, so it won't reflect a camera flash, a venue spotlight or a window behind you. If the board is going to be in the photos — and a welcome board almost always ends up as a backdrop — matt is the safer bet.

Gloss gives richer, more vivid colour in person, which suits bright, bold party designs. Good where the lighting is soft and the board is decoration rather than a photo backdrop.

For anything with a photograph printed on it, matt usually looks better — gloss can make a printed photo look plasticky under direct light.

The Board

Printed on 5mm solid PVC foam board — rigid enough to stand on an easel without bowing, light enough to carry and position on your own.

It's solid board rather than paper-faced foam, so it won't dent if it gets knocked at a busy party, and the edges stay clean. It survives the journey to the venue, the party itself, and keeping afterwards if it's the kind of board someone will want to hang on to.

Boards are supplied printed only — easels aren't included.

Artwork Requirements

• A2 with bleed: 430 x 604mm
• A1 with bleed: 604 x 851mm
• Bleed: 5mm all round
• Safe zone: 5mm
• Resolution: 300 dpi
• Format: PDF
• Colour: CMYK
• Fonts: outlined or embedded
• Additional: no printer marks

Free templates are available for both sizes.

If you're using photographs, this is the thing most likely to disappoint. A picture taken on a phone and sent by WhatsApp has been compressed heavily and will look soft at A1. Use the original file from the camera roll rather than one that's been messaged, uploaded or downloaded from social media.

Every file is checked by a real person before printing, so obvious problems get flagged. We don't make changes or fixes to artwork — files should be supplied print-ready.

Turnaround & Delivery

Production takes 2 working days from receipt of artwork. Turnaround covers production only — delivery is on top of that.

UK delivery is £6.50 per order, reflecting the size of the boards. Collection from our Burnley production facility is also available.

Worth ordering a week or so ahead rather than the day before — it gives room to sort out a file problem if there is one.

We also print welcome boards for weddings, christenings, corporate events and funerals.

FAQs

What sizes are available?
A2 (420 x 594mm) and A1 (594 x 841mm).

What's the minimum order?
There isn't one. Order a single board or several.

Can I use a design I bought on Etsy?
Yes, that's how a lot of these are ordered. Check it's a print-ready PDF at A1 or A2 rather than a US size — most sellers will supply an A-size version on request.

Can I put a photo on it?
Yes. Use the original image file rather than one sent by WhatsApp or downloaded from social media, as those are compressed and look soft when printed large.

Do you supply an easel?
No, boards are supplied printed only.

Should I choose gloss or matt?
Matt if the board will be in photographs or has a printed photo on it. Gloss for richer colour on bold, graphic designs.

What's the board made of?
5mm solid PVC foam board — rigid enough for an easel, light enough to carry.

How long does it take?
2 working days production from receipt of your file, with delivery on top.

How much is delivery?
£6.50 per order. Collection from Burnley is also available.