Wheat Pasting & Street Poster Specifications
Guerrilla-style street advertising specs for wheat-pasted posters across NYC neighborhoods and high-traffic areas.
Overview
Wheat pasting is a guerrilla-style advertising technique where posters are adhered to walls, construction barriers, and street-level surfaces using wheat-based paste. This grassroots approach delivers authentic, street-level visibility in high-foot-traffic neighborhoods, creating buzz and local awareness for restaurants, events, and new openings.
Important Legal Note
Wheat pasting on public or private property without permission may violate NYC regulations. We work with property owners, construction sites, and legal posting locations to ensure compliant campaigns. Always secure proper permissions before posting.
Poster Specifications
Standard Street Poster
Dimensions: 18" x 24" or 24" x 36"
Format: Vertical or Horizontal
Paper Stock: 80-100lb text weight (porous for paste adhesion)
Resolution: 150-300 DPI
File Type: PDF, AI, or high-res JPEG
Color Mode: CMYK
Finish: Uncoated (matte) for paste adhesion
Large-Format Wheat Paste
Dimensions: 4' x 6' or larger (tiled)
Format: Multi-panel installation
Paper Stock: 60-80lb text weight
Resolution: 100-150 DPI (large format)
Installation: Tiled panels with overlap
Ideal For: Building walls, construction barriers
Design Requirements
Street-Level Aesthetic
Wheat pasting thrives on raw, authentic design. Bold graphics, hand-drawn elements, and gritty typography resonate with street culture. Avoid overly polished corporate designs—embrace the DIY aesthetic.
Typography
- • Minimum font size: 36pt for body copy, 72pt+ for headlines
- • Use bold, high-contrast fonts that read from 10-15 feet away
- • Hand-lettering and custom typography work well for authenticity
- • Keep text minimal—focus on visual impact
Color & Imagery
- • High-contrast, vibrant colors stand out on urban surfaces
- • Expect weathering—posters will fade, tear, and layer over time
- • Black and white or limited color palettes work well for gritty aesthetic
- • Large, bold imagery with minimal detail performs best
Content Guidelines
- • Clear call-to-action (website, Instagram handle, or location)
- • Include QR codes for mobile-first engagement
- • Keep messaging short and punchy—3-5 words ideal
- • Avoid excessive branding—let the message lead
Timeline & Investment
Typical Timeline
Design: 3-5 days
Printing: 2-3 days
Installation: 1-3 days (depending on volume)
Campaign Duration: 2-4 weeks (weather-dependent)
Total Lead Time: 1-2 weeks
Estimated Investment
Design: $500-$1,500
Printing (100 posters): $300-$800
Installation (50-100 locations): $1,500-$3,500
Total Campaign: $2,500-$6,000
Costs vary by poster size, quantity, and installation complexity
Best Practices for Restaurants
Hyper-Local Saturation
Blanket your immediate neighborhood with 50-100 posters within a 10-block radius. Create density to build awareness and make your restaurant feel ubiquitous.
Target High-Foot-Traffic Areas
Focus on construction barriers, vacant storefronts, alleyways near bars/clubs, and street corners with heavy pedestrian traffic. Avoid residential areas.
Promote Grand Openings & Events
Wheat pasting is perfect for time-sensitive campaigns: new restaurant openings, pop-up events, limited-time menu launches, or special collaborations.
Embrace the Ephemeral Nature
Wheat-pasted posters are temporary by design. They'll weather, tear, and be covered by other posters. This creates urgency and authenticity—embrace the impermanence.
Combine with Social Media
Include Instagram handles or hashtags to drive social engagement. Encourage customers to share photos of your posters for a chance to win prizes or discounts.