No Smoking Signs: A Simple Guide to Making Them

No smoking signs are clear notices that tell people where smoking is prohibited, helping visitors understand a building’s rules at a glance. This practical guide explains how to make a legible sign from common materials, choose wording and placement, and keep it useful without confusing it with a legally approved notice.

Ingredients

1 sheet of white cardstock, 8½ × 11 inches (22 × 28 cm)
1 red sheet of paper, at least 8 × 8 inches (20 × 20 cm)
1 black marker, broad-tip, about ⅛ inch (3 mm)
1 pencil
1 ruler, 12 inches (30 cm)
1 pair of scissors
1 glue stick, about 0.7 oz (20 g)
2 strips of clear tape, each about 2 inches (5 cm) long, for temporary indoor display

Instructions

Choose the right message. Write “NO SMOKING” in large, plain lettering. If the rule applies only to a particular area, name it clearly—for example, “NO SMOKING IN THIS BUILDING.” Avoid adding exceptions or policy details unless they match the property’s actual rules. Allow about 2 minutes.
Plan the layout. Place the cardstock in portrait orientation. Use the ruler and pencil to mark a centered area approximately 7½ inches (19 cm) wide and 9½ inches (24 cm) high, leaving an even margin. Reserve the top half for the symbol and the bottom half for the words. Allow about 2 minutes.
Make a prohibition symbol. On the red paper, draw a circle about 5 inches (13 cm) across. Cut it out, then draw a diagonal bar about ½ inch (1.3 cm) wide across its center and cut that out as a separate strip. Use the black marker to draw a simple cigarette shape—an oblong body with a short wavy smoke line—on a white scrap or directly on the cardstock inside the circle. Lay the red circle over the cigarette and position the red bar diagonally across it. This familiar visual cue helps the message register quickly. Allow about 3 minutes.
Attach the symbol. Put a thin layer of glue on the back of the circle and bar, then press them into place. Smooth from the center outward so there are no lifted edges. Keep glue away from the marker ink until it is dry to the touch. Allow about 1 minute, plus any drying time stated on the glue label.
Add the words. Write “NO SMOKING” below the symbol in thick, uppercase letters. Make the letters at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall if the sign will be read from several feet away. Keep the words horizontal, dark, and spaced clearly; do not squeeze extra wording into the margins. Allow about 2 minutes.
Check readability and display it. Hold the sign at eye level and step back about 10 feet (3 m). Confirm that the symbol and words are easy to read and that the message is not hidden by glare. For temporary indoor use on a clean, dry surface, attach the top corners with the tape. For permanent, public, outdoor, or regulated use, use a durable sign and approved mounting method that comply with local requirements rather than relying on paper and tape. Allow about 1 minute.

Tips

Keep the message concise. “No smoking” is easier to spot than a paragraph. If vaping or other products are also prohibited, include that wording only when it reflects the relevant policy or local rule.
Choose contrast over decoration. Red, black, and white are easy to distinguish. A black marker on white cardstock is a practical substitute for printed lettering; colored pencil or thin pen may be too faint at a distance.
Use weatherproof materials outdoors. Paper can fade, curl, or become unreadable when wet. Choose a sign material and fixings rated for the location, and check it periodically for damage.
Do not assume a homemade notice meets code. Required wording, pictograms, size, language, and placement vary by jurisdiction and building type. Check applicable rules before using the sign to satisfy a legal requirement.

Serving Suggestions

Place a sign where someone can see it before entering the area it covers: near an entrance, at a doorway, or beside the boundary of a designated smoke-free space. Mount it around eye level when practical, facing the direction people approach. Keep it clear of doors that swing open, posters, plants, and other visual clutter. If visitors may approach from more than one direction, a second sign can make the boundary easier to recognize.

For a workplace, shared building, event, or rental property, pair the notice with a consistent policy and tell staff where to direct questions. A sign communicates a rule, but it does not replace the property’s required procedures or any official signage.

Variations

Text-only sign: Use large, bold “NO SMOKING” lettering when you do not have materials for a symbol. A clear message matters more than decorative details.
Multilingual sign: Add a translation beneath the main message if visitors commonly use another language. Keep each line large enough to read and have the wording checked by a fluent speaker.
Expanded policy sign: Add “NO VAPING” or identify a smoke-free boundary only if that accurately describes the rules. Avoid wording that could imply smoking is allowed just outside the marked area unless that is intended.
Reusable version: Make the design digitally or use a wipe-clean board for temporary events. For official or long-term posting, select signage that meets relevant local specifications.

Storage and Reheating

This is a paper craft, so food-safety storage and reheating do not apply. Keep an unused cardstock sign flat in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. A glued sign may be stored flat once the adhesive has dried according to its package directions. Tape it up only on a clean, dry surface; remove it if it becomes faded, torn, dirty, or difficult to read. Do not place paper signs near flames, hot equipment, or other ignition sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a no smoking sign easy to read?
Use a short, unmistakable message, strong contrast, and large lettering. Keep the design uncluttered and place it where people can see it before entering the restricted area.

Is a homemade no smoking sign legally sufficient?
Not necessarily. Requirements differ by location and setting and may specify exact wording, symbol, dimensions, materials, or mounting height. Check local rules or ask the responsible authority before relying on a homemade sign for compliance.

Should a no smoking sign also prohibit vaping?
Only if the applicable policy or law prohibits vaping in that location. State it separately and plainly, since “no smoking” may not be understood by everyone to include electronic cigarettes.

Where should I put the sign?
Position it at entrances and near the boundary of the smoke-free area, where approaching visitors can see it. Add signs for other approaches if one notice would be easy to miss.

Can I use this paper sign outdoors?
It can work briefly in a sheltered, dry location, but ordinary cardstock and tape are not weatherproof. For outdoor or permanent use, choose durable materials and fixings suited to the surface and conditions.

How often should I replace the sign?
Check it regularly and replace it as soon as the message becomes faded, damaged, obstructed, or loose. For buildings that require official signage, follow the local inspection and replacement requirements.

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