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Custom wood signs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and serve many purposes; they are some of the most versatile signs in the industry. The necessary tools range from hand tools to fully customizable, computerized routers. Sizes can range from a small plaque to the size of a billboard. Wood also lends itself to a wide variety of options that can alter its appearance, such as textures, colors, dimensions and shapes.

Tools of the Trade

The tools required to make customized wood signs vary according to the type of sign being manufactured. Wood signs can range from a painted sheet of plywood to a three dimensional routered sign. Different types of signs require the use of different tools. Some signs may incorporate many different tools to achieve the desired appearance.

For painted signs, the required tools may be as simple as paints and brushes. Saws may be required to alter the size of the sign, and polyurethane or another weatherproofing agent may be needed if the sign is going to be displayed outdoors. Painted signs can be some of the simplest signs to create, if the sign does not require any texture or carving. Painted signs can also be some of the most intricate and detailed signs.

For textured or carved signs, tools that are more technical will be required. For small signs with little detail, hand tools or a small hand router would be appropriate. However, for larger signs or signs with more intricate detail, a computerized router may be the best choice.

Computerized routers come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. They also come up with different levels of programmability. The most basic computerized routers may only be able to produce simple lettering and basic shapes and details, while the top-of-the-line routers will be completely programmable to produce three-dimensional signage with a variety of fonts, textures and graphics. Top-of-the line routers will require specialized software to produce electronic files that will tell the router how to cut and route the sign.

A custom wood sign, fresh off the router will require sanding to smooth out any rough edges before the sign can be painted or stained. Once the sign has been sanded, it will be ready to be painted, stained or otherwise treated. Some treatments may require special tools like word burning tools or special chemicals.

Types of Custom Made Wood Signs

There are many types of custom-made wood signs. From architectural signs to simple painted signs, using wood as a substrate allows for more flexibility in signage that is not cost effective in other materials.

Architectural signs are three-dimensional carved pieces of wood. They can be anything from a 2-inch thick panel of wood with a carved face to massive custom wood signs, carved into custom shapes. They can be painted, veneered, stained or burned to create the desired appearance. Architectural signs are usually cut with large computerized routers.

Billboards are another type of wood sign. They are basically, thin sheets of wood with a sign applied to them or painted onto them. With today’s technology, wooden billboards are becoming outdated as electronic billboards take their place.

Plaques are custom carved wood signs that are usually carved by hand or by smaller routers. These are often sold as novelties such as yard signs or signs for a child’s forts. Many businesses will present employees with small plaques for receiving certain honors or upon retirement. Plaques may be as simple or elaborate as desired, and may be gold or silver-leafed for decoration.

Simple painted signs are usually a piece of wood that has been hand-painted or screen-printed. These signs are not three-dimensional and are usually limited in color and size. Four foot by eight foot is usually as large as they get.

Benefits of Wood Signs

Using wood as a substrate for signs has many benefits. Wood is a renewable resource, biodegradable and weatherproof. Wood is sturdy and durable. It is cost-effective without looking cheap, and is incredibly versatile. Wood can be used to meet the needs for almost any sign.

Wood is one hundred percent natural. More can be grown to replace wood that is used and, if left untreated will eventually disintegrate back into the Earth as soil. Wood can also be treated with various chemicals to acquire varying degrees of weatherproofing. Wood can stand up to almost anything Mother Nature can do. Not only can it stand up to weather, it can be attached to many different types of structures and, in some cases, can even be freestanding.

With the invention of routers and specialty paints and treatments, wood has become incredibly versatile. It can be carved into any shape, made any size, and treated to look like anything. Stained wood has can have a classic, old-world look or a rustic, outdoors look. Painted wood can look modern or antique. With the specialty paints and treatments, wood can even look like metal.

Because of its versatility and renew-ability, wood is cost-effective. While not necessarily inexpensive, wood is not overly expensive, and different types of wood have different costs. Pine and other soft woods are usually inexpensive, while oak, mahogany and cherry tend to be more expensive. Hard woods like oak also tend to have more durability.

Summary

Custom wood signs can be very lucrative. They are cost-effective, durable and versatile. Thanks to technology and nature, wood is an ideal substrate for any signage.

Since the dawn of civilization, signs have served as the guides to our lives. Not only do they point clearly in one direction or the other, telling us how to get from point A to point B, but also they proclaim a thousand other messages necessary to the navigation of a modern life. “Slippery Floor,” “Wait Here,” and “Road Closed,” just to name a few, are the types of messages we need conveyed quickly, simply, and effectively, and ever since an arrow could be drawn in the dirt, signs have been getting the job done. Of course, the evolution of the style and make of the sign has been a long journey.

While many of today’s signs favor the plastic or metal of an industrial society, this was not always the case, and although these signs fulfill their purpose, they leave one thing lacking; the rich romanticism that signs have to offer. Long before the machine could cut a stop sign, messages had to be painstakingly hand carved onto a stone slab. The upside of stones, of course, was their incredible durability. The downside was the difficulty with which they were made, and the difficulty of moving them from place to place, if need be. Therefore, when the technology to use a newer and more easily crafted material became available, it caught on like wild fire: wood!

The wood sign has been the mode of choice for hundreds of years. Proclaiming everything from the bakery to the cemetery, wooden signage has been making declaration after declaration in the most fashionable of ways for a long, long time. Everyone can recall the adventurous image of a signpost, with a dozen different pointed arrows in a dozen different directions, each pointing to a different city—Naples, Roma, Bologna!—in an exotic country. What a dream, to travel the world with only wooden arrows to lead you along, and all the adventure to be had between the posts!

Naturally, the more readily available signs became, the easier it was for individuals to purchase them for private use. The wealthier and most privileged families in Britain, France, Germany, and the New World, all began to make wood house signs. These were signs whose sole purpose was to declare, loudly and proudly, who lived in the house behind them. They would often have the address of the home and, as the homes got bigger and the wealth amassed even further, the homes themselves began to have names! Carved wood would state that the house was not only, say, the “Draper Residence,” but also that it was known as “The Geranium Cottage.” The prestige of having a sign was clear to all; in a time when hand carved wood was anything but cheap, anything with a sign was important enough for the public to have to know about it. If a house was important enough, it had a sign.

Today, the implications of a house sign are rather different. No one suspects that the homeowner is making a statement about their relative wealth or importance; gone are the days when signs carried a badge of home owning prestige. Now, a house sign is a wonderful way to welcome guests, personalize your home further, or just pay homage to a long and living tradition. Moreover, nothing could be easier! Today, there are hundreds of craftsmen willing to make personalized wood signs. These custom wood signs can say virtually anything you want them to, from “(Insert Name) Residence” to “Welcome” to, even, the name of your house! Although these custom signs began to be popular in rural areas, the quickly spread to vacation homes, especially to houses on the water, and from there they moved easily into suburban life.

If you are interested in purchasing a custom wood sign, either for yourself or as a gift (think housewarming gift or a good friend), the easiest and quickest way is to grab a phonebook and see if there are any local carvers or woodworkers in your area. If it turns out there are not, just go online and search “personalized wood signs,” and hundreds of options will pop up for your choosing. Once you contact a woodworker, you will be asked a series of questions, such as what kind of wood you would like, what shape do you want the sign, would you like any designs on the face of the sign, what font should the words be in, and, of course, what you want the words to say! If you do not have any idea what your answers would be to these questions, do not worry; the person you are speaking to is a professional, and it is their job to help you make these choices! After you order, the work is over! Just sit back and wait for your sign to be delivered, and enjoy a well labeled home!

Wood signs can be used for all different kinds of purposes. It is the most popular type of homemade sign because wood is easy to obtain and shape. Although metal can last longer in outdoor conditions, it is much more expensive and difficult to shape without specialized tools. Making a wooden sign is simple and can be done with minimal tools and experience.

Choosing Wood for Your Sign

The type of wood you choose is one of the most important steps when building wood signs. Cheap woods will rot easily so they should be avoided completely. Ply board and other thin woods should also not be used because they will quickly disintegrate when exposed to harsh conditions. When making outdoor wood signs, the wood will need to be as sturdy and weatherproof as possible. Teak wood is a good choice because it is weather resistant and will last a long time even if it is exposed to bad weather. Although it may be more expensive, in the end it will be a much better investment.

The post can be made from either wood or metal. This wood should also be highly weather resistant and strong enough to support the sign. For large signs, use multiple posts to add increased support. Once you purchase strong wood, you should still add a weatherproof coating to insure that it is completely resistant to rain and snow. If there are termites in the area, be sure to regularly spray to protect your sign and the post.

If you are not sure what materials to use, then try walking around your neighborhood and find out what materials the wooden house signs nearby are made from. Wood stores can also provide helpful recommendations on what materials to use for your sign.

Cutting and Shaping your Wood Sign

Strong woods are usually quite thick so they can be difficult to cut into complex shapes. The most common shapes for wooden signs are square, but they can also be circles, diamond, or any other shape you choose. Some people prefer to not shape the wood to give the sign a rustic appearance.

When buying wood for your sign you should make sure that is wider and longer than the required shape to provide room for cutting and sanding. If you want to shape the wood, you should have a sharp saw on hand for cutting. After the sign has been cut you will need to sand the both the sides and the surface to get rid of any loose chips and splinters.

Sign Creation and Design

Before putting your design on the wood, you should first draw it out on a sheet of paper to give an idea of what it will look like. Although a custom wood sign can be painted any color, many people prefer to leave them unpainted to display the wooden texture. After you are sure about your design, you can transfer it to the wood itself.

Carved wood signs are very popular, but they require expertise in woodcarving in order for them to come out properly. If you have done woodcarving before, you can carve your sign using a basic set of caving tools. However, carving is not convenient for large signs unless you want to work on the project all day.

When painting wood surfaces, make sure the wood is in a horizontal position. Never paint your custom wood sign once it is on its post or the paint may drip down leaving marks. Some woods tend to soak in paint so they may need multiple coats.

Building a Post

The post is an important part of building a sign because it will be holding it up all the time. A post should be planted deep inside the ground to ensure that it will not tip over in heavy winds. The ground should also not be muddy or it may fall out of its foundation. One tip is to create an additional foundation using cement or gravel to provide extra support. Once the cement has hardened, the pole will be unmovable so make sure it is at a straight angle.

Add a Protective Coating

Even if your wood is resistant to water, you should still add a protective layer to help it last longer. Varnish is often used to coat wood and can be purchased at most hardware stores. To add varnish, sand down the entire sheet of wood first and wipe of any sawdust and dirt. Usually the varnish container will have a list of instructions you can follow while applying it. Using a paintbrush, lightly brush the wood with the varnish until the entire area is coated. Leave for about 6 hours to dry, then lightly sand it again and apply another coat. Repeat this process a few more times as specified by the manufacturer.