48 Sheet Billboards: Sizes, dimensions and benefits explained
What are 48-sheets?
The 48-sheet billboard is the most popular billboard size amongst advertisers in the UK. This traditional billboard offers businesses excellent visibility and brand exposure at an affordable cost, as well as a large advertising canvas to place impactful messaging upon.
This billboard format has the mixed benefit of impact and location, and today there are many possibilities to really get creative including 3D builds! Spread across the entire nation, these can be bought in bulk or in single units fitting the marketing needs of all brands.
Two examples of a Paper 48-sheet Billboard.
Why is it called a 48-sheet?
The term “48-sheet” comes from the traditional methods of printing and posting. Traditionally, the posters were printed on large individual sheets of paper, and 48 sheets were used to create a billboard.
The dimensions of the advertising poster measure 20 feet x 10 feet. The posters, when printed, come in 12 sections of 4 sheets, resulting in a total area of 48 sheets of paper. Even though the advertising space has evolved to include digital formats, this standard size and term has been established as a uniform and recognisable space for out-of-home advertisers.
What is the size of a 48-sheet Billboard?
Although not the largest billboard within the out-of-home advertising space, 48 sheets are still large enough to make a lasting impression. And at 20 ft x 10 ft, there is ample room for advertisers to capture the attention of passersby.
At a landscape orientation, these billboards approximately measure:
20 ft width x 10 ft height
240” width x 120” height
6m width x 3m height
609 cm width x 304 cm height
Where are 48-sheets used?
You will typically find the 48-sheet billboard just about anywhere that experiences high traffic, such as busy roadsides, town centres and transport hubs. This billboard placement paired with the large advertising canvas guarantees maximum visibility to a large and diverse audience.
48-Sheet billboard Costs
The 48-sheet is a cost-effective choice for businesses that want maximum impact but have limited budgets.
The cost of a 48-sheet billboard can start from as little as £250 for a 2-week campaign. However, like any billboard advertising, there are a number of factors that can affect the cost, such as:
Location of Billboard
Billboards in high-traffic areas such as city centres may cost more than those in less busy areas. Placing your advertisement in a high-traffic area typically results in more visibility and exposure, you can therefore expect to be paying more for these locations.
Material and Artwork Costs
Whether it’s paper, vinyl or 3D images, the choice of materials and artwork affects the initial and ongoing costs of a billboard advertisement. Some advertisers will include the cost of artwork, design and production in their quotes whereas others will add these on top. It’s best to confirm these beforehand to avoid unexpected expenses.
Campaign Duration
The campaign duration refers to the length of time in which your billboard will be displayed. Billboards are typically booked on a 2-week cycle but there are often discounts for longer-term bookings, which can be a cost-effective choice for advertisers looking for long-term impact.
Type of Billboard
The type of billboard can determine the cost of the campaign. There are two common types of billboards: traditional and digital. Digital billboards tend to be less affordable than traditional billboards because they are costly to set up and maintain.
Traditional Vs Digital Billboards
It’s important to understand the different types of billboards to get the most out of your billboard advertising campaign. Traditional billboards offer exclusivity to brands and are typically more affordable than digital billboards. Digital billboards share advertising space with a minimum of 5 other advertisers and only provide 10 seconds of display time for each minute, meaning they have less visibility and less impact compared to traditional billboards.
However, digital billboards allow for dynamic content and remote control, meaning if you need to make an update at any point during the campaign, you can do so without the associated costs of being there in person, physical materials, transportation and installation.
With traditional 48-sheet billboards, you can expect to pay £250 per 2-week booking with the benefit of exclusivity over advertising space. Digital 48-sheet billboards can set you back anywhere between £1,500-£3,000 for a 2-week slot with 1/6th of the coverage.
Example of a Digital 48-Sheet Billboard.
Who Is the 48-sheet for?
The 48-sheet is suitable for a variety of businesses and industries. The 48-sheet display provides ample space for impactful visuals, branding and messaging, making them effective for capturing the attention of a large and diverse audience at a relatively small cost.
Here are some examples of industries that often use 48-sheet billboards:
Real Estate: Real estate agents tend to use 48-sheet billboards to promote new residential or commercial property opportunities.
Consumer Brands: Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands typically use 48 sheets to advertise fast-moving products such as food, beverages and toiletries.
Local Businesses: Local and independent businesses may use 48-sheet billboards to create local visibility and generate interest.
How Effective is 48-Sheet Billboard Advertising?
According to the Out of Home Advertising Association of America, OOH advertising methods are between 38% and 86% effective at provoking consumer response. (1) The 48-sheet billboard is effective at reaching a large and diverse audience whilst being an affordable option for businesses with limited budgets. However, the effectiveness of any billboard campaign comes from the messaging, creativity of the design and how well it resonates with your target audience.
It’s crucial to conduct thorough research before launching your billboard advertising campaign to optimise impact. At One Day Agency, we tackle every brand first by thoroughly understanding your target audience and their behaviours with research but also with your valuable data. Once we have a complete picture, we’ll scope an effective plan from creative to activation. Get in touch with our specialised team today for a media plan and to maximise the potential of your billboard advertising campaign.
FAQs
How much does a 48-sheet billboard cost?
With traditional billboards, you can expect to pay £250 per 2-week booking with the benefit of exclusivity over advertising space. Digital billboards can set you back anywhere between £ 1,500 and £3,000 for a 2-week slot with 1/6th of the coverage.
What is the standard 48-sheet size?
The 48-sheet is the standard-sized out-of-home advertising display measuring approximately 6.1m x 3.05m.
Why is it called a 48-sheet?
The term comes from the number of individual paper sheets that were traditionally used to create a large billboard. A total of 48 sheets were used.
Related Reading
References
https://trueimpactmedia.com/blog/billboard-facts-2023/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Out%20of,46%25%20and%2084%25%20effective.
If you want to learn more about 48-Sheet Billboards, reach out to us today.
