Good billboard decisions are made before anything is built. The guides in this section cover the four questions we hear most: what size should the face be, how should artwork be prepared, which approvals apply and how do you tell a strong site from a poor one.
They are written to be useful whether or not you work with us. When you are ready for a quotation, the quote form is the next step.
Billboard sizes guide
Face size drives the structure, the foundation, the printing and often the approval. Our billboard sizes guide explains common landscape and portrait formats, how sizes relate to viewing distance and why the size you want and the size you can build are not always the same.
Face size also shapes wind loading, lifting and installation, which is why the guide places size alongside structure type. A face that looks right on paper may be impractical on a given site.
Very large faces, such as 18 m x 6 m, call for heavy steel and lifting, while 6 m x 3 m faces suit more modest structures, and each has different approval implications.
Billboard artwork requirements
Artwork that looks sharp on screen can fail at billboard scale. The artwork requirements guide covers file formats, resolution at viewing distance, bleed, colour, text size and the differences between PVC or flex, mesh and backlit material.
The guide also explains why material choice matters, since the same design behaves differently on PVC, mesh and backlit skins.
Short, bold messages and well-prepared files make the difference between a billboard people read and one they ignore.
Billboard approvals guide
Every outdoor advertising structure needs approval from the relevant authority. The approvals guide explains who is involved, what supporting documents are usually asked for and where applications stall. It also explains what we do to assist and what remains with the authority.
It sets out how applications are usually sequenced so you can line up consent letters, drawings and engineering information early.
Digital structures often carry extra conditions, which the guide flags.
Choosing a billboard site
A billboard is only as good as its position. Choosing a billboard site looks at sight lines, approach speed, obstructions, ground conditions, power and neighbours, with separate thinking for owners who have land and advertisers who are renting space.
It also shows how ground, wind exposure and access affect which structure fits, so the position you choose is one you can build on.
It is also useful for property developers and farm owners deciding where a structure could realistically stand.
Where to go next
If you already know what you need, jump straight to billboard types, digital billboards, billboard services or billboard packages. For process and terms, see how we work and the FAQs.
These resources are updated as questions come up. If something is missing, tell us and we will consider adding it.
How to use these guides
Read them in the order that matches your project. A landowner might start with choosing a site and then read the approvals guide. An advertiser might start with sizes and artwork. A developer planning a hoarding might start with approvals and then look at building wraps and construction site billboards.
None of the guides promises an outcome. Approvals are decided by the authority, prices and timing are confirmed on your quotation, and every site is different. Use the guides to ask better questions, then bring those questions to us.
At a glance
Billboard resources from Billboards Africa gather the practical guides needed to plan outdoor advertising in South Africa: a billboard sizes guide, artwork requirements for PVC, mesh and backlit skins, a billboard approvals guide covering municipalities, SANRAL and provincial roads departments, and advice on choosing a billboard site. Landowners, brands, agencies and developers can use them to make decisions before any steel is ordered or any skin is printed.
Each guide is written in plain language for readers in Gauteng, Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and across Africa, with links onward to structure types, digital billboards, flighting and rentals. These billboard resources do not replace the advice of the approving authority, but they show what to prepare, what to ask and where delays usually occur. When you are ready, send your site details through the quote form. Each guide stands alone and links onward. They link to structure types, digital screens, flighting and rentals across Gauteng and Southern Africa. Start with whichever guide matches your question, then use the quote form when you are ready to proceed.
Common questions
Are the guides specific to South Africa?
Yes. They refer to South African authorities, formats and conditions, though the principles hold across Southern Africa.
Do I need to read all four guides?
No. Start with the one that matches your question. Each stands on its own.
Can you advise on my specific site?
Yes. Send your details through the quote form and we will advise.
Do the guides replace authority advice?
No. Approval rules are set by the relevant authority, so confirm requirements with them.
Will you add more guides?
We add guides as common questions come up. Ask us if there is a topic you would like covered.
