Creative and Design
Artwork specs, design best practices, and how to prepare creative that performs on billboards and digital screens.
FAQs
Yes. This is called dynamic creative optimization (DCO), and it's an advanced feature of digital out-of-home advertising. We can help you set up campaigns where the creative automatically changes based on real-time data triggers. For example, a clothing brand could show ads for raincoats when it's raining, or a restaurant could promote delivery during heavy traffic. This type of campaign requires custom setup, so please contact our support team to explore the possibilities.
Just send us your design 10 days before launch. We accept standard file types (PDF, TIFF, JPEG). Don't worry about the technical stuff—our team will check your artwork to help you make sure it's perfect and ready for printing or digital display.
AI tools like Midjourney or DALL-E can be great for brainstorming ideas or creating unique images. However, it's crucial that the final artwork is high-resolution enough for a large format. You also need to check the AI service's copyright rules. Our team can advise on this.
Yes, you can, but it's important to set it up correctly for professional printing. Canva's default settings are for screens (RGB color), but print requires a different profile (CMYK color). It can be technical, but don't worry—we can provide a simple Canva template with the correct size and settings for your chosen billboard. We'll also review your final design to ensure it's print-ready.
Yes. For static billboards, this is called a rotary program. We can easily arrange for your printed vinyl ad to be moved to different pre-selected locations during your campaign to maximize your reach across a market.
Yes. We can arrange to have your vinyl saved after your campaign, making your next launch even simpler and more affordable.
The most iconic and expensive billboards are in New York's Times Square and on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. A single, prominent digital screen in these locations can cost from $100,000 to over $400,000 for a four-week period due to the massive, global audience they command.
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According to Harris Poll research, Millennials, Gen Zers, and Urbanites are most likely to stop and read OOH that: featured their favorite brand or product, was creative or artistic and aligned with their values, highlighted local businesses, or featured their favorite artist or celebrity. Interactive, customizable OOH ads drive even greater interest, with 45% saying these types are more interesting - including 65% of major Urbanites and 58% of Millennials.
Start with AI for brainstorming visuals and copy, then finish in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop for print setup. The workflow: Prompt AI for headline ideas and imagery; Select one strong direction; Bring it into your design file at full resolution with bleed and colour management; Export according to your vendor’s spec. This hybrid approach saves time without sacrificing quality.
ChatGPT and Copy.ai are best for short-form, persuasive copy. Ask for five-word versions or attention-grabbing slogans that fit a 7-word maximum. Tools like Jasper or Notion AI can generate brand-aligned tone guides so your billboard voice stays consistent. Always refine AI copy manually — clarity and authenticity outperform generic taglines.
Use Lumen5, Kantar AI Copy Testing, or Predict (System1) to simulate viewer attention and recall. These models estimate which parts of your creative people will notice first — logo, offer, or imagery — so you can refine before launching. Billboards America can integrate these AI insights into campaign planning for better creative outcomes.
Yes — design automation tools like Bannerbear, Canva Magic Resize, or Adobe Express can instantly re-format creatives across billboard ratios (e.g., 14×48, 10×30, 6×12). They maintain layout proportions while adjusting typography and safe zones. Still, always check the final export manually to ensure key text doesn’t fall outside the viewable face area.
Yes — tools like Runway ML, Pika Labs, and Kaiber can animate static imagery into short 6- to 10-second motion clips suitable for digital screens. Keep movement subtle: gentle pans, fade-ins, or text transitions. Avoid flashing or strobe effects; most networks reject anything that distracts drivers. Always render at the target board’s frame size and aspect ratio.
Use high-resolution exports (300 DPI for print, 72 DPI for digital at exact pixel specs), upscale with professional tools if needed, and review under realistic viewing distance (e.g., zoom to 10%). Avoid fine text or small logos inside AI art — they often blur or distort. Run a final preflight check in Adobe Acrobat Pro or your printer’s proof tool before approval.
Ownership depends on the tool. Adobe Firefly and Canva Magic Studio produce commercially safe images trained on licensed datasets; Midjourney and DALL·E outputs are generally safe for advertising but must not replicate existing brands, logos, or celebrities. Always confirm commercial rights in each platform’s terms of service before use.
Professional tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign are ideal for static vinyl billboards — they handle large CMYK print files, bleed, and layout precision. For quick layouts, Canva Pro and Figma are fine, but always export at full size and 300 DPI. For digital boards, export flattened JPG, PNG, or MP4 files at the exact pixel dimensions in the spec sheet.
Yes. AI tools can generate ideas, backgrounds, or full ad mock-ups fast — but they still need human direction. Use ChatGPT or Adobe Firefly to brainstorm headlines and taglines; Midjourney, DALL·E, or Runway for concept imagery; and Canva Magic Studio or Microsoft Designer for rapid layout generation. Always review AI-generated visuals for brand accuracy and compliance before printing.
Tools like Midjourney and DALL·E use text-to-image diffusion models — you describe a scene (“a family road trip, bright blue sky, vivid colour palette”), and the AI generates a matching visual. You can adjust style, framing, and realism through prompts. Once generated, upscale the image to full print resolution (minimum 300 DPI) using a tool like Topaz Gigapixel or Photoshop Super Resolution before exporting for vinyl or digital use.
The vinyl size includes bleed and wrap for installation. Do not trim to the finished face size; supply at the full vinyl size below unless your spec sheet says otherwise. Most common static formats: 10'6" × 22'9" face → 10'7" × 22'10" vinyl (adds bleed); 14'0" × 48'0" face → 15'0" × 49'0" vinyl (standard bulletin); 10'6" × 36'0" face → 11'6" × 37'0" vinyl (large poster); 6'0" × 12'0" face → 7'0" × 13'0" vinyl (junior poster); 5'7" × 3'10" face → 5'9" × 4'0" vinyl (street furniture); 10'0" × 40'0" face → 11'0" × 41'0" vinyl (bulletin variant); 10'0" × 30'0" face → 11'0" × 31'0" vinyl (poster variant); 5'1" × 11'1" face → 5'1" × 11'1" vinyl (exact fit); 12'0" × 40'0" face → 13'0" × 41'0" vinyl (bulletin variant). The vinyl size is larger because it includes the bleed needed to wrap and pocket the material around the frame, ensuring a taut, weather-safe installation
Supply artwork at the vinyl size listed. Preferred format: PDF/X-1a or high-quality TIFF in CMYK. Include 6-inch bleed on all sides. Convert fonts to outlines.
Yes. Billy can connect you with our design team to create billboard-ready artwork that meets size and technical requirements.
Keep it short and bold. Aim for 6–8 words max with large, high-contrast fonts and minimal clutter.
Large-format vinyl is typically printed at 100–150 DPI at final size. If working at scale (for example 1:10), provide 1000–1500 DPI. We will preflight and confirm before print.
Supply artwork at the vinyl size listed in the spec. Preferred format PDF/X-1a or high-quality TIFF; CMYK color. Keep key text and logos at least 3–6 inches inside the finished face edges (safe area). Convert fonts to outlines and embed images.
Yes, but only on digital screens. Animation should be smooth and non-flashing, following local regulations.
Digital creative should match the exact pixel size listed on the board detail page, in JPG or PNG format, 72 DPI, under 10 MB. Loop times vary by site, typically 8–10 seconds.
Yes. All artwork is reviewed for quality, clarity, and compliance before posting.
We follow strict national and local guidelines. Prohibited content includes: \n• Anything misleading, defamatory, or illegal \n• Adult services, explicit imagery, or violence \n• Tobacco, drugs, or unsafe products \n• Hate speech or political disinformation \n• Unauthorised use of logos, trademarks, or third-party likenesses \n\nSome categories, such as alcohol, gambling, or political advertising, may require prior approval or local permits.
The artwork file displayed (JPEG, PDF or MP4).
Every creative submission is reviewed by Billboards America’s compliance team and the media owner for content standards, image quality, and technical specifications before it goes live.
Yes. Reply to the rejection email or contact support@billboardsamerica.com for clarification. We’ll review your case with the compliance team and help resolve it quickly.
Once your artwork is uploaded, it’s reviewed by our design and compliance team and the media owner. You’ll receive an email confirmation once approved. Digital campaigns are usually approved within 24–48 hours. Static campaigns may take a little longer while printing is scheduled.
If your file doesn’t meet technical specs or content standards, we’ll email you with feedback explaining what needs to be changed. You can then upload a revised version for re-approval.
According to OAAA research, 80% of consumers are likely to take action after seeing DOOH ad content they deem entertaining (creative, clever, or humorous) or visually appealing (vibrant or bold). Additionally, 71% reported likelihood to share DOOH ads featuring their favorite products or brands. Weather-responsive advertising is also highly effective, with 81% of respondents finding weather-related product offers highly relevant and useful.
Contextual DOOH ads featuring deals and offers are highly effective. According to OAAA research, 86% of consumers rate ads with special deals on groceries as useful, while 84% feel the same about restaurant deal ads. Time-sensitive promotions also resonate strongly, with 80% rating ads featuring time-specific offers on food menus and beverages, or special deals on clothing and accessories, as useful.
Vinyl is printed larger than the display face to wrap the frame edges (bleed). Always design at the full vinyl size. Example ratios: 14′×48′ face → 15′×49′ vinyl; 10′6″×36′ face → 11′6″×37′ vinyl.
Digital campaigns rarely have setup fees. Static boards require vinyl printing (USD 200–500 per board) and optional installation costs. Design can be self-supplied or created with recommended partners.
Keep text to seven words or less, use strong contrast, and ensure logos are large and legible from distance. Avoid clutter and fine detail. Digital creative should use static imagery or short motion with no flashing; static vinyl must be sized to the listed spec including bleed.
All ads must comply with local laws and media-owner policies. Tobacco, adult content and offensive imagery are prohibited. Alcohol, political and gambling content require extra approval.
After booking, you upload your creative. The media owner checks compliance, size and technical specs. Reviews take 24–72 hours (digital) or 7–14 days (static print and install).
