Shadow board poster

A shadow board holds each tool on an outline of its own shape, at the place it is used, so a missing tool shows at a glance. It is a set-in-order tool: it only works if it holds just the tools the work needs, in order of use, each outline labelled, and someone checks it at the end of every shift. This poster sets out the six steps to build one, and the rule that keeps it honest: a tool that is out leaves a name in its place.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 379 KB · no form

Free to print and share with your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.

Shadow board poster — 24 x 36 in18 x 24 inA2A3LetterA4PNG 300 dpi

The words on the poster

Build a shadow board

A place for every tool, and a gap that shows when one is missing.

List the tools the work needs Only those. Red-tag the rest.
Put it at the point of use Within reach of where the tools are used.
Arrange in order of use Most used at the easiest reach.
Draw the shadows An outline of each tool in a contrasting colour.
Label every shadow Tool name, and size if there are several.
Check at shift end An empty shadow means a missing tool. Find it now.

Tool out? Your name card goes on its shadow until it comes back.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Shadow board poster to work

1
Use it with the team when you plan a new shadow board, step by step.
2
Hang it next to existing boards, and check them against step 6 at the end of a shift.
3
Put a pad of checkout cards next to the board so the bottom rule is easy to follow.
4
Pair it with the free shadow board planner.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.