Roll-Up Traffic Signs & Sign Stands: How to Choose the Right Combination for Your Work Zone

Temporary traffic control needs to be visible, dependable and easy to deploy. For road construction crews, utility companies, municipalities, emergency responders and contractors, roll-up traffic signs offer a portable solution that can be set up quickly and stored easily when the job is complete.

But choosing a roll-up sign is only half of the equation. The sign material, size, reflective properties and sign stand all need to work together for the conditions where the equipment will actually be used.

Here are some of the most important things to consider when choosing roll-up traffic signs and sign stands for your work zone.

Why Choose Roll-Up Traffic Signs?

Unlike rigid aluminum signs, roll-up signs are designed with portability in mind. They can be folded or rolled for transportation and storage, making them particularly useful for temporary work zones and crews that move from one location to another.

For contractors with multiple trucks or crews, that can mean carrying the traffic-control signs needed for a job without taking up the space required by a collection of rigid signs and stands.

Roll-up signs are commonly used for:

  • Road construction and maintenance
  • Utility work
  • Municipal projects
  • Survey crews
  • Emergency and incident response
  • Short-duration work zones
  • Mobile operations
  • Landscaping and roadside work

They are available with many standard traffic-control legends as well as custom messages for applications that require something more specific.

Reflective or Non-Reflective Roll-Up Signs?

One of the first decisions is whether the application calls for a reflective or non-reflective sign.

Reflective roll-up signs are designed to return light toward approaching drivers, improving visibility during nighttime and low-light operations. The MUTCD establishes requirements concerning the visibility and retroreflectivity of traffic signs, so the requirements of the particular application and jurisdiction should always be considered when selecting a sign.

For work that is strictly temporary and conducted during daylight hours, a non-reflective sign may be appropriate in applications where regulations permit it.

When there is any question about the correct material for a particular project, check the project specifications and applicable federal, state or local requirements before ordering.

Vinyl vs. Mesh Roll-Up Signs

The environment where the sign will be used should also influence the material you choose.

Vinyl roll-up signs provide a solid sign face and are an excellent general-purpose choice for temporary traffic control.

Mesh roll-up signs allow some air to pass through the sign face. This can make them useful in applications where wind is a frequent concern.

However, sign material isn't the only consideration in windy conditions. The stand supporting the sign is equally important.

Choosing the Right Sign Stand

It's easy to spend most of the time selecting the sign and treat the stand as an afterthought. In reality, the stand can make a major difference in how practical the entire setup is in the field.

Consider where and how frequently the sign will be deployed.

For crews that move repeatedly throughout the day, portability and fast setup may be particularly important. For longer-duration work or locations exposed to wind and traffic-generated air movement, stability becomes a greater consideration.

Depending on the application, options can include lightweight portable stands, spring-loaded stands, weighted-base systems and specialized mounting systems.

Spring-loaded sign stands are particularly useful when some movement is desirable because the spring mechanism allows the sign to flex rather than remaining completely rigid when subjected to wind.

Don't Forget Sign Height

The height of a temporary traffic-control sign is not simply a matter of preference.

Sign mounting and placement requirements can vary depending upon the type of roadway, work-zone configuration and application. Always consider the applicable MUTCD requirements, project specifications and state or local requirements when choosing your stand.

A compact stand that works perfectly for one operation may not provide the appropriate mounting height for another.

This is one reason choosing the sign and stand as a system is so important.

Make Sure Your Sign and Stand Are Compatible

Not every roll-up sign is automatically the best match for every sign stand.

Before ordering, consider:

  • Sign dimensions
  • Sign material
  • Stand mounting method
  • Required sign height
  • Expected wind conditions
  • Frequency of setup and removal
  • Storage space in crew vehicles
  • Project or agency specifications

Matching these factors before purchasing can prevent a frustrating situation in the field—and help avoid buying equipment twice.

Think Beyond the Lowest Purchase Price

For contractors and agencies purchasing multiple signs and stands, price obviously matters. But the lowest initial price isn't always the lowest overall cost.

Traffic-control equipment gets handled, transported, deployed, folded, loaded and unloaded repeatedly. A sign-and-stand combination that is appropriate for the application and holds up to regular use can offer considerably better value over its service life than equipment selected solely on initial cost.

Portability matters too. Equipment that is easier for crews to transport, set up and store can make work-zone setup more efficient.

Building a Roll-Up Sign Package for Your Crew

Instead of purchasing temporary signs one at a time, consider the types of work your crews perform most frequently.

A basic inventory might include commonly needed advance-warning signs along with application-specific signs and the appropriate stands. Contractors with multiple vehicles may also benefit from creating standardized sign packages for each truck or crew.

This makes it easier to know that the necessary traffic-control equipment is available before a crew arrives at the job site.

And when a standard legend doesn't fit the job, custom roll-up signs can provide a solution for specialized traffic-control messages.

Need Help Choosing the Right Combination?

With so many choices in roll-up sign materials, sizes, reflective options and sign stands, selecting the right combination can sometimes be confusing.

SC Supply Company has supplied traffic-safety and work-zone equipment to contractors, municipalities, government agencies and other organizations for more than 25 years.

We offer a broad selection of roll-up traffic signs, sign stands and related traffic-control equipment, including standard and custom sign options.

Browse our Roll-Up Traffic Signs and Sign Stands, or contact SC Supply Company at 800-640-1843 if you need help determining which sign-and-stand combination is right for your application.

For larger quantities or project requirements, request a quote and we'll help you put together the equipment you need.