Sign Metal
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 Vintage Orange Crush Metal Sign  US $122.50
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 GLoomis FLY FISHING Metal Sign US $32.01
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 BRAND NEW Liverpool Football Club FC This is Anfield Metal Sign 14x12cm SM US $5.50
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 GLoomis MUSKIE SERIES RODS Metal Sign US $62.01
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Custom metal signs are the blue jeans of the sign industry
Everyone knows that safe, comfortable, amazing feeling you have when you slide on your favorite pair of blue jeans. They are durable, well made and just right for any occasion. Everyone's favorite pair of blue jeans are unique. They come in all styles, all shapes and all sizes. No two are made, worn or look exactly the same!
Metal signs did for the sign industry what American blue jeans did for fashion. They made signs durable, long lasting, unique and perfect for any business. No matter the event, promotion or purpose, custom metal signs can be made to fit.
Just as every pair of blue jeans you own are not alike all metal signs are not created equal. These signs can be created and manufactured in a number of different ways. Each customer is trying to make a different statement, promote a different image and create their own sense of style.
How are custom metal signs made?
Metal signs can be manufactured in a number of ways. We are going to discuss the three major ways that custom aluminum signs are printed in the sign industry today.
- Cut vinyl - Traditional metal signs were all made from precision cut vinyl lettering being weeded, masked and applied to aluminum. Sign companies still have the ability to, and occasionally do, produce custom signs just this way.
Cut vinyl is rated 3-5 years durability if using intermediate vinyl and 7-10 years if using high performance vinyl. To accomplish this vinyl is precisely cut on a plotter, weeded, masked and hand laid onto aluminum. This process is a more time consuming process, but is still rated the longest lasting vinyl method out there. Only disadvantage is that your design is created from individually cut letters so it is open to being tampered with, letters removed, etc.
Sign industry manufacturers provide numerous colors and finishes of vinyl. Ranging from standard intermediate and high performance vinyl colors to DOT reflective grade there are several manufacturers out there consistently coming up with new options. Today you can purchase camouflage, carbon fiber, neon colors and so much more. Cut vinyl can be done with outlines, drop shadows and multiple colors. Cut vinyl cannot provide gradients, fades, custom colors, etc.
Which leads us to option 2…
- Digitally Printed Vinyl - This is the world we live in today. Most sign shops own and consistently use their digital printers. Printing all vinyl for custom metal signs is more time and cost effective than cut vinyl. Although digital printed vinyl is only rated for 3-5 year no fading, manufacturers have developed a number of laminates to extend its longevity to 7-10 years plus without fading. Digitally printed vinyl offers a more consistent and economical process for sign development. There is less room for human error while prepping and laying your designs onto your metal signs.
By digitally printing your custom business signage you open doors to numerous design options that would otherwise be unavailable. This is required to produce fades, gradients, custom pantone color matches, etc. The ways that you can add to your design are limitless if you go with digitally printed vinyl on your metal signs. Laminates available include Dry Erase, Graffiti Proof, and standard laminate.
- Direct print - Metal signs can now be printed directly to the substrate as well. This can be done two different ways: screen printing and flat bed printing.
- Screen printing offers high durability, crisp edged printing and awesome clarity. It is used especially when doing large quantity orders. It is the perfect process when doing spot colors, you cannot do gradients or custom fades. You can screen print in half tones, but it is not the effect that most customers today are looking for.
It does have limits though... screen printing costs more when needing to do full bleed printing or when custom pantone colors need to be mixed and matched to get the specific colors that are needed.
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- Flat bed printing is the most cost effective, quick turnaround, most flexible printed method out there next to digitally printed.
Flat bed printing has several print speeds and print quality levels depending on the type of signs needed and how they will be used. Print quality on thousands of Coroplast yard signs is the total opposite of a high end full color real estate sign. The advantages are that there is no vinyl application time because the printer prints your design directly onto the metal.
It offers the same durability as screen printing, but offers more printing options. Flat bed printing allows more opportunities for your vinyl signs to be more custom and unique. It allows for full color printing, fades, gradients, custom colors, etc.
Next to digitally printing your metal signs, flat bed printing allows the most options to achieve the look you desire for your company.
How do you decide what type of custom metal sign is best for you?
Ask questions.
When you go to your local sign shop ask how your signs will be manufactured. Ask what methods of production they have available. Ask how they would suggest that your custom sign design be produced.
By knowing the options out there, looking at your design and working along with your sign company you can make the best decision for your investment.
Metal signs are one of the best investments you can make for your business or organization. They have limitless uses ranging from for sale signs, job site signs, and special events signs to larger signs for your buildings, larger construction sites and so much more.
What do you do next to find the right custom metal sign?
Go shopping!
Like that favorite pair of blue jeans you love, you have to shop for your one of a kind custom metal signs as well.
By working with your sign shop you can identify your niche for your own unique custom aluminum signs. Remember they are durable, well made and just right for any occasion. Just like those blue jeans your custom aluminum signs can come in all styles, all shapes and all sizes. No two are made, worn or look exactly the same! Make sure yours is unique, shows off your style and brands your business.
Custom metal signs are an investment you will not regret. Ask questions, create a design that you are comfortable with, that you are proud of and that shows the image you want for your business or organization.
If you do all of this your custom signs will offer the same safe, comfortable, amazing feeling for you as you have when you slide on your favorite pair of blue jeans.
About the Author
Robin Harrelson, also nationally known as TheSignChef, is a visionary in the sign industry. With her husband Tim, their live, interactive website provides instant access to unique online signs tools, how-to videos and corporate class custom signage.
For 23 years, TheSignChef has accumulated a wealth of industry-specific knowledge to create masterpieces which are guaranteed to delight! For the first time, TheSignChef is inviting us behind the scenes and into the "kitchen" to share secret sign recipes, tips and tricks. So come on in for a bite!
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Metal Sign $24.95 Bassani Metal Sign Embossed metal construction Predrilled holes for easy wall mounting 18" x 10 1/4" |
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Metal Bicycle Sign $29.99 Metal Bicycle Sign - Photographic Print |
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Chinatown Subway Metal Sign $19.99 Chinatown Subway Metal Sign - Masterprint |
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AIM Musicians Only Metal Sign $9.99 AIM Musicians Only Metal Sign |
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Number Seven on Worn Metal Sign $29.99 Number Seven on Worn Metal Sign - Photographic Print |
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New York- Greenwich Village Metal Sign $34.99 New York- Greenwich Village Metal Sign - Tin Sign |
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New York- Coney Island Metal Sign $34.99 New York- Coney Island Metal Sign - Tin Sign |
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Gear One Beatles Abbey Road Metal Sign $15.99 Gear One Beatles Abbey Road Metal Sign |
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Proceed to Metal Detector Sign $32.29 Proceed to metal detector signs ensure all who enter your facility go through the metal detector. 7"h x 10"w plastic metal detector security sign is durable, and easy to clean. Supplied with strong, quick-apply adhesive foam backing that sticks to even rough, irregular surfaces. Graphics embedded beneath 1/16" clear plastic for a tamperproof message. Sign reads: PLEASE PROCEED TO METAL DETECTOR AREA. |
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Warning Metal Detector Sign $32.29 Warning metal detector signs alert to all where metal detectors are located. 7"h x 10"w plastic metal detector security sign is durable, and easy to clean. Supplied with strong, quick-apply adhesive foam backing that sticks to even rough, irregular surfaces. Graphics embedded beneath 1/16" clear plastic for a tamperproof message. Sign reads: WARNING METAL DETECTOR IN USE. |
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Sons of Anarchy Reaper Metal Sign $59.95 Are you a true outlaw? Show the world with our Sons of Anarchy Reaper Metal Sign. This custom metal sign features the Sons of Anarchy Reaper logo and has been distressed for a vintage look. But you have to buy the Sons of Anarchy Reaper Metal Sign. Not steal it. Ships within 10 - 12 business days. |
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Metal Detector Screening Sign $32.29 Metal detector screening signs inform employees and visitors are subject screening. 7"h x 10"w plastic metal detector security sign is durable, and easy to clean. Supplied with strong, quick-apply adhesive foam backing that sticks to even rough, irregular surfaces. Graphics embedded beneath 1/16" clear plastic for a tamperproof message. Sign reads: PLEASE BE ADVISED ALL VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES SUBJECT TO METAL DETECTOR SCREENING. |
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NFL Nostalgic Metal Sign - Redskins $23.78 NFL Nostalgic Metal Sign - Redskins Riddell Nostalgic Metal Sign - 11.58"w x 17.5"h. Designed to look like '40s and '50s trade signs |
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Deck the Stalls Metal Sign $22.95 Give your horses a little holiday spirit when you deck the stalls this season! Sign is made from individual metal panels, handpainted in a distressed and vintage style. Each panel is attached to the others by small chains. Hangs 27" in length. |
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Metal Sign for the Brooklyn Bridge in New York $29.99 Metal Sign for the Brooklyn Bridge in New York - Photographic Print |
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Weathered and Rusted Metal High Voltage Danger Sign $29.99 Weathered and Rusted Metal High Voltage Danger Sign - Photographic Print |
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Archer Clean Or Die Metal Sign $59.95 Get your very own Archer "Clean Or Die" Sign in Metal, as seen in the ISIS agency lab in Archer episode 5, "Honeypot." With a skull graphic with a mop and broom in place of crossbones, this 17" x 23" "Clean or Die" metal sign is classic Archer. Danny the intern not included. |
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Peace Sign $3.99 Peace Sign Magnet Your classic peace sign done in a royal blue and made to look like metal. Great for autos. Harmony, unity, coexist. |
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Remove All Metal Objects Sign $32.29 Remove all metal objects signs ensure no one brings metal objects through the metal detector. 7"h x 10"w plastic metal detector security sign is durable, and easy to clean. Supplied with strong, quick-apply adhesive foam backing that sticks to even rough, irregular surfaces. Graphics embedded beneath 1/16" clear plastic for a tamperproof message. Sign reads: PLEASE REMOVE ALL METAL OBJECTS BEFORE ENTERING METAL DETECTOR. |
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Mermaid Advertising Sign $12.99 Beautiful Mermaid advertising sign. Metal. Size 16x10x1/16. |
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Sign $10 Sign |
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In The Sign $8.49 In The Sign |
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Fender Amplifiers Vintage Metal Sign $24.99 Made from super heavy-duty 24 gauge steel, this "Foundation of Tone" antique metal sign is a must for any Fender fanatic's wall. This custom sign measures 12" x 24", comes with four small metal grommets on each corner for hanging purposes, and is individually antiqued for that vintage, relic feel. NO TWO SIGNS ARE THE SAME! Hang it anywhere.**Please Note-just like some of Fender's beautifully crafted Custom Shop guitars, each antique sign has been placed under a Relic process. Each sign has been scratched, dinged, rusted, and chipped on purpose to give each piece a truly antique feel and originality.** |
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Security Notice Metal Detector Sign $32.29 Security notice metal detector signs indicate there is a metal detector on site. 7"h x 10"w plastic metal detector security sign is durable, and easy to clean. Supplied with strong, quick-apply adhesive foam backing that sticks to even rough, irregular surfaces. Graphics embedded beneath 1/16" clear plastic for a tamperproof message. Sign reads: SECURITY NOTICE METAL DETECTORS ON PREMISES. |
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Metal Detector Screening Required Sign $32.29 Metal detector screening required signs ensure all persons that enter your building go through the metal detector. 7"h x 10"w plastic metal detector security sign is durable, and easy to clean. Supplied with strong, quick-apply adhesive foam backing that sticks to even rough, irregular surfaces. Graphics embedded beneath 1/16" clear plastic for a tamperproof message. Sign reads: METAL DETECTOR SCREENING REQUIRED BEFORE ENTERING FACILITY. |
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Wipe Your Hooves Metal Sign $29.95 Cutout metal sign with rustic finish is perfect for a mudroom or porch. Easily mounts on any wall. Hand-crafted in USA. 11"W x 9 1/2"H. |
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NCAA Nostalgic Metal Sign - Ohio State $23.78 NCAA Nostalgic Metal Sign - Ohio State Riddell Nostalgic Metal Sign - 11.58"w x 17.5"h. Designed to look like '40s and '50s trade signs |
