The message on the sign controls the overall size of the sign. Once the message content has been spaced on the sign, a border should be added to all edges of the sign.

The layout guidance given in this section is spaced to the inside edge of the border.

, including the border, are discussed in the segment at the end of this section.

With a few exceptions, the Texas MUTCD requires all signs to have a border of the same color as the legend. The border widths should be of similar proportions but not exceed the stroke width of the major lettering of the sign. Depending on the signing document, guidance on border widths may vary. The following table provides general guidance regarding border widths based on sign panel area.

The corners of all sign borders must be rounded, and where practicable, the corners of the sign panels should also be rounded to fit the border. It is not practical to round the corners on sign panels made with extruded aluminum blanks. On guide signs, the corner radii of sign borders should be approximately one-eighth the lesser side dimension, except the radii should not exceed 12 inches on any sign. The area outside the corner radius may need to be trimmed, except for signs made from extruded aluminum panels. The following table shows general guidance regarding corner radii based on sign height.