Where can I buy traffic signs?

For MUTCD-compliant signs, buy from a traffic-control supplier rather than a hardware store - hardware stores carry only a handful of generic signs without the right reflective sheeting. NJ contractors should buy from a Central NJ supplier with same-day delivery on stock items.

How much do traffic signs cost?

A 30"x30" warning sign in Type IV reflective aluminum is $40-$60. A 48"x48" roll-up work-zone sign is $35-$55. A 30" octagonal STOP sign in Type IV is $35-$60. Spring-base sign stands are $45-$95. Custom-printed signs run 50-100% more.

What is the difference between Type IV and Type V reflective sheeting?

Type IV (high-intensity prismatic) reflects ~500 candela/lux at 0.2 deg. Type V (super-high-intensity diamond grade) reflects ~800+ candela/lux. Type IV is the NJDOT default for state-route work; Type V is sometimes specd on NJ Turnpike, Parkway, or freeway work zones for greater nighttime visibility at high speed.

Are roll-up signs as good as rigid aluminum?

For work-zone use, yes. Roll-up vinyl signs with fiberglass ribs deploy in 30 seconds and pack into a backpack case, so they are the right tool for crews that set up and strike daily. Rigid aluminum is the right tool for permanent installation - parking lots, private roads, gated communities.

Can I buy custom-printed traffic signs?

Yes. Most TC suppliers offer custom prints with 5-15 business day lead times. Cost is typically 50-100% above the standard MUTCD sign price. Custom is worth it for long-duration projects or when an engineer has specd a non-standard message; for everyday work, MUTCD-standard signs are faster and cheaper.

Do I need a permit to put up traffic signs?

On private property, no. On a public road, yes - any temporary traffic-control deployment on a state or local road in NJ usually requires a road-opening permit and an MUTCD-compliant TTC plan. Permanent regulatory signs are owned and installed by NJDOT or municipal public-works departments only.

Traffic Signs for Sale: Types, MUTCD Codes, and What to Buy (2026)

Traffic signs for sale fall into five categories - regulatory, warning, work-zone, guide, and school/specialty. Pricing depends on size (24"-48"), material (aluminum vs roll-up vinyl), and reflective sheeting grade (Type I through Type V). Below: what each category covers, what NJ contractors actually buy, and what a complete sign kit costs.

The five sign categories

1. Regulatory signs (R-codes)

Regulatory signs tell drivers what they MUST do. Black on white, white on red, or other prescribed combos per the MUTCD. Common contractor purchases:

R1-1 STOP: 30" octagon, $35-$60 in Type IV.
R2-1 SPEED LIMIT: 24"x30" rectangle, $35-$55.
R3-2 NO LEFT TURN: 24"x24", $30-$50.
R5-1 DO NOT ENTER: 30"x30", $40-$60.

2. Warning signs (W-codes)

Warning signs alert drivers to conditions ahead. Black on yellow diamond. Common buys:

W1-X CURVE / TURN: 30"x30" diamond, $40-$60.
W11-1 BICYCLE: 30"x30", $40-$60.
W11-2 PEDESTRIAN: 30"x30", $40-$60.
W14-1 DEAD END: 30"x30", $40-$55.
W15-1 PLAYGROUND: 30"x30", $40-$60.

3. Work-zone signs (W20-series)

The contractor staple. Black on orange, used to set up the temporary traffic control around any active work zone:

W20-1 ROAD WORK AHEAD: 48"x48" diamond, $55-$95 rigid; $35-$55 roll-up.
W20-3 ROAD WORK X FT: 48"x48", $55-$95 rigid; $35-$55 roll-up.
W20-5 LANE ENDS: 48"x48", $55-$95.
W20-7 FLAGGER (symbol): 48"x48", $60-$100.
W21-1a WORKERS AHEAD: 48"x48", $55-$95.

4. Guide signs (D, M, J series)

Direction, distance, and route information. Less common as contractor purchases - usually owned by NJDOT or municipalities.

5. School and specialty

School-zone signs (S-series, fluorescent yellow-green), pedestrian-crossing signs, parking-lot signs, no-trespassing, and OSHA workplace signs. Pricing varies $25-$120 depending on size and shape.

Rigid aluminum vs roll-up vinyl

Two construction types dominate the contractor sign market:

Rigid aluminum (.080" or .063" gauge): permanent or semi-permanent installation. Lasts 7-10 years if Type IV+ sheeting. The right buy for installed signs (parking lots, private roads, permanent regulatory).
Roll-up vinyl (with fiberglass ribs): temporary work-zone use. Folds into a backpack-size case, deploys on a spring frame in 30 seconds. Typical lifespan 1-3 seasons depending on UV exposure and how rough the crew is.

For active road-work crews, roll-up is the right buy for W20-series and W21-series signs. Rigid aluminum is the right buy for anything that stays installed.

Reflective sheeting - what grade do you need?

ASTM D4956 grades reflective sheeting from Type I (engineering) to Type IX (super high-intensity diamond). For NJ contractor work:

Sheeting	Use case	Lifespan	Price premium
Type I (Engineering)	Private property, parking lot	5-7 yr	Baseline
Type III (HIP)	Local-road regulatory	7-10 yr	+25%
Type IV (HIP+)	NJDOT state-route work	10-12 yr	+50%
Type V/IX (Diamond)	Turnpike, Parkway, freeway	10-15 yr	+100%

For roll-up vinyl work-zone signs, the practical default is Type IV. NJDOT inspectors will sometimes spec Type V on Turnpike or Parkway work; check the contract docs before mobilizing.

Sign stands and mounting

A sign without a stand is just a piece of aluminum. Common mounting options:

Spring-base portable stand: $45-$95. The work-zone standard. Folds flat, sets up in 60 seconds, springs back if hit by truck wash.
Heavy-duty cone-mount: $15-$35. Lets you mount a sign on top of a 28" or 36" cone. Useful for taper heads.
Permanent post (U-channel): $25-$75 per 8 ft post. The right install for permanent regulatory signs.
Sandbag-base portable: $35-$70. Fold-flat A-frame for low-speed parking-lot use.

A typical contractor sign kit

For a 2-truck NJ road-work crew, a starter sign kit looks like:

4x ROAD WORK AHEAD (W20-1) roll-up, 48"x48", Type IV.
2x FLAGGER (W20-7) roll-up, 48"x48", Type IV.
2x WORKERS AHEAD (W21-1a) roll-up, 48"x48", Type IV.
2x LANE ENDS (W20-5) roll-up, 48"x48", Type IV.
8x spring-base portable sign stands.
4x cone-mount sign brackets for taper heads.

Total spend: roughly $700-$1,100 for the kit. Like cones, signs are an asset - amortize over 3-5 years and they cost about $0.50-$1/day per sign.

When to buy custom-printed signs

Custom signs (your company name, project number, special instructions, multilingual text) cost more and have lead times of 5-15 business days. Buy custom when:

You're running a long-duration project where the same custom message will be redeployed.
A municipality or NJDOT engineer has spec'd a non-standard message.
You want company branding on private-job signs (parking lots, security gates).

For everything else, MUTCD-standard signs are cheaper, available faster, and acceptable to inspectors.

Where to buy traffic signs in NJ

Browse our signs and sign stands category for MUTCD-compliant rigid aluminum and roll-up vinyl signs in 24"-48" sizes with Type III, IV, and V sheeting. Need a kit sized to your crew? Run the spec through our AI gear assistant or request a quote - same-day Central NJ delivery on stock items, 5-10 business days on custom prints.