How to tape a flyer

September 27, 2023 6:04 AM

I need to do some old-fashioned outreach by putting up an A4 size paper on light poles and who knows what else. It is rainy here. Also, some people may want to tear it down because it involves a new queer women’s meet up that I am starting. Please share everything you know about the best way of attaching this piece of paper to various objects and making it hard to pull down. I want it to stay up until the end of November.
posted by Bella Donna to Technology (10 answers total)

You can put them in those page protectors (upside down so the opening is on the bottom) and then staple them on
posted by raccoon409 at 6:09 AM on September 27, 2023 [2 favorites]

Flour paste is super hard to tear down as it glues the entire poster in place.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:13 AM on September 27, 2023 [6 favorites]

Best answer: Check local municipal orders and laws regarding advertising and littering. A friend got a hefty fine putting stickers on street signs.

Otherwise - use a cheap laminator to make flyers weather-resistant and wide scotch tape (around and around the pole) to secure them.
posted by gakiko at 6:18 AM on September 27, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: People in my city use clear packing tape.

Be aware that your municipal authority may strip poles once or twice a month as a matter of policy. If you see many of your posters gone, just put up another round.
posted by heatherlogan at 6:29 AM on September 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: In answer to your "who knows what else" question I would suggest reaching out to queer friendly businesses - clothing stores, bars, clubs, community centers, grocery stores in queer neighborhoods, etc. to see if you can post your flyer there. You'll have a higher chance that the poster will be seen by your intended audience.

I would also suggest reaching out to other queer groups - school clubs, casual sporting clubs, online forums, etc. to see if they will send an email on your behalf.
posted by brookeb at 6:34 AM on September 27, 2023 [8 favorites]

Cling wrap will keep water out and secure it without damaging the pole. And it is quick easy and cheap. Add a little packing tape for insurance.
posted by beagle at 7:12 AM on September 27, 2023 [4 favorites]

Best answer: If you do this, please don't use staples - they can harm workers who need to service the pole in the future.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 7:13 AM on September 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks to all who answered. For what it is worth, I have reached out to other organizations online, etc. Turns out there are hefty fines indeed if I post anything that is not approved in advance in public spaces. Thanks for the warnings!
posted by Bella Donna at 8:32 AM on September 27, 2023 [2 favorites]

@Notmyselfrightnow thank you for teaching me that!
posted by raccoon409 at 8:33 AM on September 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

For future reference in cases where you have permission to post things, a laminated poster with two pairs of small holes punched at the top and bottom, and a zip tie threaded through to wrap around a pole.
posted by MetaFilter World Peace at 10:57 AM on September 27, 2023 [3 favorites]