Sky sign advertising puts your brand on the roof of a building, above shop signs, trees and traffic. In Pakistan these rooftop boards are also called skywalls or rooftop hoardings. A sky sign can be seen from much further away than a ground-level board, and it quickly becomes a landmark. People start saying "turn right after the big sign".
This guide explains how rooftop billboards in Islamabad and Rawalpindi work, where they perform best, and how to design for them.
What is a sky sign (skywall)?
A sky sign is a steel-framed billboard mounted on top of a commercial building, facing a main road, chowk or flyover. It carries a printed panaflex and is often front-lit, so it stays visible after dark.
Sky sign vs ground hoarding
| Rooftop sky sign | Ground hoarding | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Above the building, clear of clutter | At road level |
| Viewing distance | Long, visible on the approach | Shorter |
| Best for | Markets, flyovers, busy junctions | Signals, roadsides, open plots |
| Landmark value | High | Medium |
| Typical sizes | 50 × 20, 60 × 20, up to 90 × 30 ft | 60 × 20 to 90 × 30 ft |
For a full comparison of formats, see our guide to hoardings in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Sky sign locations in Islamabad
- Super Market, F-6 Markaz: front-lit, above one of the capital's busiest markets
- Main entrance of I-8 Markaz: front-lit, with a second sign on Mir Chakar Khan Road
- Sohan Interchange, Islamabad Expressway: front-lit, facing Expressway traffic
- Srinagar Highway and two signs on Double Road, PWD
Rooftop hoardings in Rawalpindi
- GPO Chowk, Haider Road, Saddar
- Kashmir Road, Saddar: front-lit
- 6th Road Flyover, Murree Road: at eye level for flyover traffic
- Old Naz Cinema Chowk on Murree Road, and 5th Road, Commercial Market
Sky signs in Peshawar and Mirpur AJK
- University Road, Peshawar: a giant 90 × 30 ft sky sign on Peshawar's main commercial road
- Gul Bahar Flyover, GT Road, Peshawar
- Allama Iqbal Road, Mirpur AJK
Which brands should use rooftop advertising?
- Retail, fashion and restaurants close to a market they want shoppers to remember
- Real estate developers and housing societies that need a big, steady presence
- Banks, telecoms and FMCG brands building awareness over several months
- Schools, colleges and hospitals that want visibility in their own catchment area
How to design a sky sign that works
Sky signs are usually wide and short, for example 60 × 20 ft. The design must read from left to right in one glance:
- Use one headline and a large logo, and nothing more
- High contrast, because the sign is seen against the sky
- Check the colours under lights if the site is front-lit
Our Creative Studio sizes every design to the exact rooftop and handles panaflex printing and installation. Read our billboard design rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skywall in advertising?
A skywall is another name for a rooftop sky sign: a billboard mounted on top of a building, facing a main road or chowk. It is seen from a long distance because it sits above street-level clutter.
What sizes are sky signs in Pakistan?
Most sky signs are 50 × 20 ft or 60 × 20 ft. Some landmark rooftops carry boards up to 90 × 30 ft, like the GillANi’s sky sign on University Road, Peshawar.
Are sky signs lit at night?
Many are. Several GillANi’s sky signs, including F-6 Super Market, I-8 Markaz, Sohan Interchange and Kashmir Road, are front-lit for night-time visibility.
Can I put a sky sign on my own building?
Yes, if it faces a busy road. GillANi’s leases rooftops from building owners and pays monthly rent. See our guide to renting your rooftop for a billboard.
Book a sky sign
Browse all billboards and sky signs or WhatsApp 0333-5444975 with your area and budget. We'll send the rooftops available now, with rates.
