With three-plus years left of this regime, ever more of us will be hitting the streets with our neighbors to fight fascism. That’s a sign that you’ll need a sign.

We’ve seen everything from simple messages on cardboard to elaborate sculptures. But what works best?

In this post, we offer principles, tips, a materials list, instructions, more tips, slogans, and even downloadable graphics.

Three Key Sign-Making Principles

1. Keep it Simple: Don’t clutter your sign with too much information. Focus on one simple, clear message. Bold is beautiful!
2. Make It Readable: Ensure your sign is readable from a distance.
3. Be Specific: Make it personal. “Hands Off VA Nurses!” and “Hands Off Big Bird!” get straight to the point.

For good information on smart messaging, read “The Message Is the Movement: Your Guide to Smarter Protest Signage.”

Tips for Stress-Free Sign-Making

Size matters!

Unless you’re sign making for an overpass, 2’ x 3’ is generally the biggest size you would need, but smaller signs work well, too. Make your sign easy to carry!

Plan in pencil, use a straight edge, and color last!

Unless you are a professional designer, laying out your message in pencil first helps to ensure that your words fit the space. A yardstick or other straight edge helps keep your lettering even and more legible.

Work from the middle outward.

Figure out the center of each line in your message, then work out what words will best fit on each line.

Use technology.

Printing out part of your message in a large font and assembling it on cardboard is a fast way to get a sign done. You can weatherize your sign with clear plastic or clear packing tape.

Play both sides!

Don’t forget the back. It’s two signs in one.

Making Your Sign

Almost anyone can make a sign. All you need is a piece of cardboard, a marker, and a message. At the end of this little how-to, you’ll find a list of slogans. Use one of these, make up something on your own, or borrow a slogan you saw somewhere else.

Materials

• Cardboard or Foam Board
• White Paper
• Markers or Paint
• Adhesive (glue stick, spray adhesive, staples, tape, etc.)
• Stick (paint stirrer, pole, etc.)

Optional

• Images
• Stencils
• Fabric, Gems, Glitter, etc.

A Few More Tips

1. White paper makes your message stand out better than cardboard. Use an adhesive to glue the paper to your cardboard or foam core.
2. Make your sign on the computer and print out your message in large letters. You can paste these onto your sign pretty quickly. You can also use printed images.
3. Print a large sign on letter-size paper using the “tile” mode. You can overlap the single sheets, matching up the design, and taping the pieces together as you go.
4. Attach a stick, if desired, so you can hold your sign higher without wearing out your arm.

Slogans

For great messaging tips, see The Message Is the Movement.

• PROTEST IS PATRIOTIC
• The LAW Is Sovereign. Trump is NOT.
• NO Kings
• NO Dictators
• This Is a Democracy, NOT a Monarchy
• Chaotic + Costly + Corrupt + Criminal
• NO Oligarchs
• Trump Is NOT Above the Law
• Americans Deserve COMPETENT Leaders
• Loyalty to America, NOT Trump
• America Is NOT For Sale
• Democracy Is NOT For Sale
• Trump Lies, Democracy Dies
• Crypto = Corruption
• Justice For Sale
• White Hou$e for Sale
• Social Security is More Important than Meme Coins
• Due Process for ALL
• Defend the Constitution
• DoD Is NOT Trump’s Private Army
• DoJ Is NOT Trump’s Private Law Firm
• FBI Is NOT Trump’s Private Police
• No More Rapists in Power
• LOCK HIM UP
• Project 2025 Is Unamerican/Unconstitutional
• Project 2025 Hurts ALL Americans
• Reject/Stop Project 2025
• Project 2025 Starves Children & Seniors
• NO Mandate for Project 2025
• Protect Our Children (Farmers, Seniors, Veterans, American Consumers, American Workers)
• No Tax Cuts for Billionaires
• Keep Your DOGE on a Leash
• Musk OUT of Treasury
• Musk OUT of IRS
• Musk Belongs In JAIL
• Musk wants Your $ocial $ecurity
• Protect Our Data
• Americans United Against Citizens United
• Stop Waste. Tax Musk!
• Equal Justice for All
• Equal Rights Are Our Birthright
• BY the People, FOR the People— NOT Billionaires
• DEI Is NOT The Problem
• Trans People Are NOT The Problem
• We Are ALL Immigrants
• Immigrants Built America
• Diversity Is All-American
• Equity Is All-American
• Inclusion Is All-American
• Trans People Are Citizens
• Workers Are the Source of Wealth—NOT Billionaires
• Protect Workers, Protect Unions
• Boycott the Oligarchs: Tesla, Amazon, Facebook
• Stop Firing Our Workers
• Stop Stealing Our Data (Services, Votes, Rights, Freedom)
• Our House Is on FIRE! Stop the Arsonists!
• Support Science
• Education Matters
• Don’t Privatize Education
• Don’t Privatize USPS
• Save Our Parks
• STOP ICE Disappearing Our Neighbors!
• Hands Off Our Neighbors!
• MELT ICE
• No ICE Thugs in Baltimore
• Protect Our Judges
• NO Concentration Camps
• Support Our Allies
• It’s The Gulf of Mexico
• The Canal Belongs to Panama
• Keep Your Tiny Hands Off Greenland
• Defunding Education Destroys Our Future
• Hands Off Science (Education, Social Security, Medicare, Our Freedom, etc.)

It’s Hurricane Season: Where’s NOAA?

• It’s Hurricane Season: Where’s FEMA?
• Support Our Schools: No Tax $$ for Private Academies
• Stop Victimizing the Vulnerable
• Stop Attacks on FREE SPEECH
• The Law Applies to Everyone!

Slogans for TV Station Protests

• Cover the Coup
• No State Media
• Stop the Disinformation
• Fox Lies

Slogans for Elected Representatives

• Do Your Job!
• Serve Your Constituents
• Do Your Duty: Fight For US
• Stand Up to Trump
• Defend Our Constitution
• Stop the Coup
• Stop The Steal
• Don’t Let Trump Bully You!
• Fight For the American People
• You Work For US
• For Us to Be FREE, YOU Have to BE BRAVE

Free Sign Resources