Petrol Price Display Signs for Forecourt Pylons

Any forecourt that advertises fuel prices to the street needs a price section. The format depends on how often prices change and how the site is run.

• Stations on busy roads where drivers compare prices before turning in
• Independent operators who want a readable board without a complicated system
• Sites with an ageing price board that is faded, cracked or no longer lights evenly
• Pylons being rebuilt or rebranded where the price section is part of the new design
• Truck stops and roadside sites that sell several grades including diesel

• Manual numeral boards. Individual numerals slotted or hung on a lit panel and changed by hand when prices move. Simple and robust.
• LED price displays. Seven-segment or matrix LED digits that are changed electronically rather than by hand, with the controller options subject to technical assessment and confirmed availability.
• Number of grades. One row per fuel grade, typically with a label panel beside the digits.
• Digit size and spacing. Chosen from the viewing distance and road speed.
• Single or double-sided. Most roadside displays face both directions of traffic.

Whichever format you choose, the display sits inside the pylon frame as a module, so it should be designed together with the pylon rather than added afterwards. See our petrol station pylon signs page for the wider structure.

• Powder-coated aluminium or steel housings
• Translucent acrylic or polycarbonate faces for manual boards
• Printed or cut vinyl numerals and labels in high-contrast colours
• Weather-sealed LED modules with covers suited to outdoor use
• Stainless steel fixings and gaskets at exposed joints

Manual numerals are usually made from rigid plastic or acrylic with a clear, bold typeface. LED digits sit behind a dark, non-reflective face so the lit characters stand out.

A price board is only useful if the digits can be read quickly and unambiguously. For manual boards, even internal LED backlighting makes the numerals glow against a darker field. For LED displays the digits themselves are the light source.

Two points matter in practice. First, brightness needs to be balanced for night and bright sun: too dim and the digits vanish in glare, too bright and they bloom and blur. Second, a display next to a lit brand panel should not be so bright that it fights the logo for attention. Dimming and colour options on LED displays are subject to technical assessment and confirmed availability.

• Choose manual when prices change infrequently, the budget is tight and you are happy for a person to change numerals on site.
• Choose LED when changes are frequent, when climbing or reaching the board is awkward, or when you want to update from a controller.
• Choose a general LED digital display sign for messages and promotions rather than fuel prices.
• For the pylon that carries the display, see petrol station pylon signs; for general lit pylons see illuminated pylon signs.

As a rough guide, many designers allow around 25 mm of letter height per 10 m of viewing distance, and price digits are usually sized larger than that because drivers read them at speed. We confirm digit height on site once we have checked the road and the approach angle.

• Mounting height. The display must be visible above parked vehicles and boundary walls.
• Power and data. LED displays need a dedicated power feed and a way to be controlled; we check cable routes and signal needs at survey.
• Access for changes. Manual boards need safe, practical access so staff can change numerals.
• Glare. Faces should not reflect sun straight into drivers' eyes.
• Approvals. Structural, electrical and municipal signage matters are checked during survey and design and may need the landlord, owner or municipality.

• Manual or LED format
• Number of fuel grades and rows
• Digit size and the size of the overall module
• Single-sided or double-sided
• Controller or interface needs for LED displays
• Whether the display is new or an upgrade inside an existing pylon
• Cable runs and electrical work
• Access equipment on installation day

Wipe faces with a soft cloth and mild cleaner. Check that every digit lights fully, because a missing segment can make a price read wrongly. For manual boards, keep a spare set of numerals on hand. If a section fails, our LED signage repairs service can diagnose drivers, modules and wiring.

We survey and install by appointment from our Rivonia base. Price displays are most often needed along main roads and arterials, and these are the areas where we get most enquiries.

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