Signage is the part of a queue that gets specified last and causes the most reordering, almost always for the same reason: the frame bought does not fit the post already owned. Belt barrier posts, rope stanchions and floor stands all take different fittings. Establish which barrier you have before choosing a frame.
The second decision is where the message needs to be. A message that applies to everyone in the queue — “Please wait to be seated”, “Have your ticket ready” — belongs on a post top, where people read it while they wait. A message that directs people to the queue in the first place belongs on a floor stand at the entrance.
Sign frames and stands compared
| Product | Size | Fits | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belt barrier sign frame | A4 vertical or horizontal | Retractable belt barrier post top | £38.40 |
| Belt barrier frame, heavy duty | A4 or A3 | Belt barrier post top — busier sites | £42.00 |
| Rope sign frame | A4 vertical or horizontal | Rope stanchion post top | £38.40 |
| Frame adaptor | — | Adapts a frame to another post standard | £19.20 |
| Floor sign stand, A4 | 210 × 297mm | Free-standing — indoor, full circumference floor protector | £82.80 |
| Floor sign stand, A4 heavy | 210 × 297mm | Free-standing — non-slip base, high traffic | £92.40 |
| Floor sign stand, A4 outdoor | 210 × 297mm | Free-standing — rubber weighted base | £98.40 |
| Floor sign stand, A3 | 297 × 420mm | Free-standing — indoor or outdoor | £108.00 |
| Cast iron base stand | A4 or A3 | Free-standing — heaviest option, busiest floors | £106.80 |
| Extra tall floor stand | 1.8m, A4 and A3 | High-visibility display over a crowd | £166.80 |
| Literature holder | 2 or 4 pockets | Belt stanchion post top — leaflets and forms | £58.80 |
Entry prices, correct at the time of writing. For current pricing on every option, see stanchion signs and floor sign stands.
Other names for queue signage
Post-top frames are searched for as sign frames, sign holders, stanchion signs and crowd control signs. Free-standing units go by sign stand, floor stand, standing sign, standing frame, pedestal poster stand, display stand and weighted sign stand — all the same weighted pedestal holding an A4 or A3 poster. In restaurants and hotels the identical product is usually called a menu stand.
The most common specific request is a “please wait to be seated” sign, and it is worth answering plainly: for a restaurant or hotel entrance that means an A4 floor sign stand with a printed insert placed at the door, not a post-top frame. There is no barrier post at a restaurant door to clip a frame to.
Post-top sign frames
A post-top frame clips into the top of a barrier post and holds an A4 or A3 sheet at eye level in the queue. It is the cheapest way to put a message where people are already standing still, and because the insert is just paper, the message can be changed in seconds.
- Vertical or horizontal — vertical suits instructions and lists, horizontal suits a short headline.
- Standard or heavy duty — heavy duty frames take more handling, and are worth it anywhere the public can reach the frame.
- Radius corner — a softer black frame, common in retail and hospitality.
- Paper holder — an open acrylic holder for quick paper changes rather than a fully enclosed frame.
- Outdoor weatherised — slide-in top frames for outdoor rope posts.
Floor sign stands
A floor sign stand is a weighted pedestal holding an A4 or A3 poster. It goes where there is no barrier post to clip to — a doorway, the head of a queue, a lift lobby, the top of an escalator, a restaurant entrance.
The base is the thing that separates a good stand from a poor one. A stand that tips when brushed past is worse than no stand, so specify by base weight, not by frame:
- Full circumference floor protector — indoor, protects hard floors, three finishes.
- Heavy non-slip base — indoor, high traffic, in polished stainless or polished brass.
- Outdoor rubber base — weather-ready frame, heavier base for wind, in A4 and A3.
- Cast iron base — the heaviest option, double acrylic, for the busiest floors.
- Extra tall 1.8m — raises A4 or A3 above head height so it reads over a crowd.
A4 or A3
A4 is the right size for a message read at conversational distance — a menu, an instruction, a “please wait to be seated” sign at a restaurant door. A3 is for a message that must be read from across a room or at the far end of a queue. If people need to see it before they decide where to walk, use A3, or the 1.8m extra tall stand.
Finishes
Stands are supplied in polished stainless, satin stainless, polished brass, black and gold. The same rule applies as for barrier posts: match the metalwork already in the space. Black outdoor stands are the usual choice for pavement and forecourt use because they show weathering least.
Related post-top fittings
- Literature holders — two or four acrylic pockets on a post top for leaflets, forms and menus at up to 216 × 280mm.
- Umbrella bag stand with sign frame — wet umbrella bag dispenser with signage, for retail and hotel entrances.
How to order
- Decide where the message goes — mid-queue on a post top, or free-standing on the floor.
- For a post-top frame, identify your barrier type and post diameter first, or add the adaptor.
- Choose A4 or A3 by reading distance, not by how much text you have.
- For a floor stand, specify the base by weight and location — rubber or cast iron for busy and outdoor positions.
- Match the finish to the existing metalwork, then order online or call 0208 629 2410 for a multi-site quote.
Free delivery to mainland UK (Northern Ireland, the Highlands and Islands quoted separately), 30-day returns and a three-year limited warranty apply to every order.
Browse the range
Every product named on this page is stocked and priced at stanchion signs and floor sign stands. Free delivery to mainland UK, 30-day returns and a three-year limited warranty apply throughout. For quantity pricing, a bespoke specification or trade terms, call 0208 629 2410.
Frequently asked questions
What is a stanchion sign frame?
A stanchion sign frame is a holder that clips into the top of a barrier post and carries an A4 or A3 sheet at eye level within a queue. It is the cheapest way to put a message where people are already standing still, and because the insert is paper, the message can be changed in seconds. Frames come in vertical and horizontal orientations, in standard, heavy duty and radius-corner styles.
Will a sign frame fit my existing barrier posts?
Only if it matches the post type. Belt barrier frames and rope stanchion frames are different fittings and are not interchangeable, and post diameters differ between 64mm and 75mm ranges. If you are adding signage to posts you already own, match the frame to the post range by name, or order the frame adaptor, which lets a standard frame fit another post standard including Tensabarrier.
Should I choose A4 or A3?
Choose by reading distance rather than by how much text you have. A4 suits a message read at conversational distance, such as a menu, an instruction or a please wait to be seated sign at a restaurant door. A3 is for a message that must be read across a room or from the far end of a queue. If people need to see it before deciding where to walk, use A3 or the 1.8m extra tall stand.
What do I need for a please wait to be seated sign?
For a restaurant or hospitality entrance, the usual answer is an A4 floor sign stand with a printed insert placed at the door, rather than a post-top frame. Indoor stands start with a full circumference floor protector, with a heavy non-slip base for higher traffic. If the door opens onto a pavement or forecourt, specify the outdoor rubber-base stand.
Which floor sign stand base should I choose?
Specify by base weight and location, not by the frame, because a stand that tips when brushed past is worse than no stand. Use the full circumference floor protector for general indoor use, the heavy non-slip base for high traffic, the outdoor rubber base for wind and weather, and the cast iron base for the busiest floors.
Can floor sign stands be used outdoors?
Yes, if you specify an outdoor model. The A4 and A3 outdoor stands have a weather-ready frame and a heavier rubber base to resist wind. Indoor stands with lighter bases will blow over and are not warranted for outdoor use. Black is the usual choice for pavement and forecourt positions because it shows weathering least.
Do you supply literature or leaflet holders for barrier posts?
Yes. Acrylic post-top literature holders with two or four pockets take documents up to 216 by 280mm. They fit belt stanchion post tops and are used for leaflets, application forms and menus handed out mid-queue, which keeps staff from distributing them by hand at a busy counter.
What finishes are available?
Sign stands and frames come in polished stainless steel, satin stainless steel, polished brass, black and gold. The rule is the same as for barrier posts: match the metalwork already in the space rather than the sign itself, because mismatched finishes are the detail people notice. Black is the standard choice for outdoor and pavement use.
Crowd Control Company | 7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR | VAT 385 4045 84 | 0208 629 2410 | crowdcontrolcompany.co.uk
