
Published: 28/05/25 by Rock Posters
In an age dominated by screens, street poster advertising remains one of the most cost-effective and visually striking ways to get in front of a local audience. Whether you’re promoting a gig, a product launch, or a grassroots campaign, posters have a way of commanding attention that digital ads often can’t replicate.
But how much does it actually cost to run a poster campaign across Australia? Let’s break it down so you can plan your next campaign with clarity and confidence.
What Influences the Cost of Street Poster Advertising?
Pricing for street poster campaigns in Australia can vary widely depending on several factors:
1. Poster Size and Material
- – At Rock Posters, our standard poster portrait size is 1000mm W x 1400mm H (B0). Our sizes are in a larger format than the traditional A0 standard poster sizing.
- – Additionally, our paper is also 110 GSM, which is almost twice as heavy as some competitors. This higher quality stock paper allows posters to last longer.
- – Other signage and poster print facilities typically work within the traditional A series paper sizes, with a 70 GSM. It may appear more affordable per print than a heavier B series paper, but refreshes would need to be more frequent, driving up the cost of the overall campaign (replacing your posters every 1-2 weeks).
2. Campaign Duration
- – Typical runs are 1–4 weeks, with an average of 2 weeks.
- – Longer campaigns typically require posters to be refreshed.
- – In Australian conditions, a poster will generally retain its colour for 3 weeks before fading, and weather events such as heavy rain and flooding woud require more frequent refreshes.
3. Volume of Posters
- – With poster campaigns made up of three main components: design, printing and distribution/installation, the cost of labour, materials and handling increases with the increase in volume of posters.
- – Again, the frequency of poster refreshes will drive up the volume of posters required within the campaign, which would increase the overall cost.
5. Installation Method
- – Wheatpasting is the most cost-effective and widely used method, offering high-impact visuals at street level.
- – Premium features like lighting, rotation mechanisms, or digital displays can drive the price up.
- – Bespoke installations are available, but best you have a chat with our team and we can tell you whether or not it can happen.
6. Design Services
- – If you don’t already have professionally created artwork, this becomes an essential cost to factor in.
Who Do You Need In Your Court?
A successful street poster campaign isn’t just about printing and pasting, it’s about strategic execution. Here’s who you’ll want backing you:
- – A graphic designer is typically the only specialist you’ll need to engage, someone who can create high-impact, print-ready artwork that stands out on the street.
- – From there, a campaign partner like Rock Posters takes care of the rest, including:
- – Strategic planning and advice on where, when, and how to run your campaign
- – Professional poster printing at scale
- – Distribution and installation by experienced teams
- – Campaign monitoring
How to Maximise ROI on Your Poster Budget
You don’t need a huge budget to make a big impact. Use these tips to stretch your spend further:
- – Target the right areas: Focus on high-foot-traffic suburbs, venues, and community hubs where your audience naturally hangs out.
- – Keep your message bold and clear: Posters only have a second to capture attention, keep copy short, fonts large, and colours high contrast.
- – Add a digital link: QR codes, custom short links, or hashtags can connect physical posters to your online presence.
- – Time it right: Launch during high-interest periods like event lead-ups, product drops, or seasonal traffic surges.
And remember: frequency and visibility matter more than sheer volume. A smaller campaign done well can outperform a larger one without strategic placement.
Ready to Launch Your Campaign?
Street posters continue to be one of the most affordable, visible, and creative ways to get noticed in Australia’s most active cities.
If you’re planning a campaign and want expert help from start to finish—design, print, install, and strategy—Rock Posters has you covered.
👉 Contact us for a personalised quote or to chat with one of our poster pros about your next move.