How to Rent a Billboard

Information Guide on Renting a Billboard

Although we’re a billboard and large banner printing company, we’ve worked with countless outdoor advertising companies over the years. Because of that, we’ve learned a lot about billboard rentals, billboard pricing, and what it actually costs to get your message up on a sign. Whether you’re a small business, a national brand, or someone exploring outdoor advertising for the first time, this guide will help you understand the basics before you jump in.

If you’re looking for billboard space, comparing billboards for lease, or trying to figure out how much it costs to rent a billboard, here are a few helpful steps to keep in mind:

JUST LOOKING

Start by contacting the advertising company that owns the billboard. Their information is usually posted on the skirt of the sign or directly on the billboard face. You can gather a lot of details over the phone, but we highly recommend giving them your email and asking for written info about that specific billboard location.

Email is one of the best tools for negotiating billboard rentals—especially if you want clarity on billboard rental cost, available dates, visibility, production details, and any discounts. Just keep in mind that high-traffic areas and high-demand billboard locations (think Los Angeles, New York City, Times Square, etc.) get booked fast and have very little room for negotiation.

WORK A DEAL

When renting a billboard, decide your budget up front. Prices vary widely depending on size, traffic counts, visibility, and the city.

Here’s a general idea of what billboard rental rates may look like:

Rural static billboards: $75–$250/month
City or interstate signs: $900–$2,500/month
Prime urban locations:
- Sunset Boulevard: around $10,000/month
- Times Square digital or spectaculars: significantly higher
Small-town locations: Paris, Texas for example: $375–$525/month

These numbers vary, but they show how billboard pricing can swing based on demand and location. You may also be able to get:

Discounts for multiple boards
Reduced monthly rates for multi-year contracts
Free production or installation with long-term agreements
Advance-pay savings

There are always creative ways to structure a deal—especially if you’re flexible on the location or type of billboard (traditional billboards, static billboards, or digital).

GET BIDS

After finalizing your monthly rental rate, get bids on your billboard vinyl production. Many billboard companies charge around $2.00 per sq. ft. for printing.

If the company learns you’re printing elsewhere, installation costs may increase—so gather all pricing separately and upfront:

Printing
Installation
Monthly rental
Removal fees
Production costs

Most businesses can absolutely purchase their own vinyl. Ask the billboard company for the exact vinyl specs and have the printed material shipped directly to their office. (Keep in mind: you typically cannot use your own installers due to insurance requirements.)

DESIGN

Once you’ve secured your billboard location, focus on how to communicate your message clearly. Faster traffic requires larger lettering—often 3 feet tall or more. Small billboards might be around 6’x12′, while larger billboard faces can be as big as 20’x60′.

Keep your message short, simple, and memorable—ideally seven words or less. Think about the flow of traffic, the billboard’s height, and how much time drivers have to read your message in a high-speed environment.

If you want examples, check out billboards we’ve designed at Billboards Etc. Most advertising companies will gladly help you refine your objectives, choose the best location, review concepts, produce the design, and track viewership or estimated impressions.

BillboardsEtcInc.com offers free billboard graphic design, affordable billboard printing, and ships directly to the billboard company you’re working with. We make the process simple and painless.