Custom Blade Signs
— Projecting & Hanging Signs, Illuminated or Non-Lit, Factory-Direct
Factory-direct blade signs — double-sided projecting signs that extend from the wall on an engineered arm. Two constructions: an illuminated lightbox (aluminum extrusion frame + acrylic faces + internal LED) and a non-illuminated panel (aluminum extrusion + aluminum composite face). MOQ 1 piece, 7–14 day production, IP65.
What Are Blade Signs?
A blade sign (also called a projecting or hanging sign) is a sign that extends perpendicular from the building facade on a bracket or arm, instead of sitting flat against the wall. Because it stands out into the street, it is visible to pedestrians approaching from both directions — which is why blade signs are double-sided by default. They are the single most effective storefront sign for downtown streets, historic districts and busy retail frontages, where a flat wall sign is only seen from one side.
Two Construction Types
| Type | How it is built | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Illuminated lightbox | Aluminum extrusion frame + two translucent acrylic faces + internal LED | Restaurants, bars, hotels - visibility after dark |
| Non-illuminated panel | Aluminum extrusion sides + aluminum composite panel (dibond) face | Daytime retail, boutiques, historic districts |
Both constructions are double-sided by default and single-sided on request. The choice is really one decision: do you need the sign to glow at night, or is daytime visibility enough?
How They’re Built
Every blade sign follows the same four stages. First the cabinet or panel is built: an aluminum extrusion frame for the lightbox, or extrusion sides plus an aluminum composite panel face for the non-lit version. Then the graphics are applied — UV print as the default, with vinyl film and cut acrylic letters also available. The projecting arm is fabricated from steel or aluminum, laser-cut, bent, welded and powder-coated. Finally the faces, LED and arm are assembled and the sign is sealed to IP65.
Projecting Arm & Mounting
Because a blade sign hangs over the sidewalk, the arm is engineered for wind load — it is not a decorative afterthought. The wall plate is through-bolted to the facade, the arm is fabricated from steel or aluminum and powder-coated against corrosion, and the double-sided cabinet sits at the end of the arm. Mounting is specified with the wall condition and projection distance so the sign stays safe in high wind.
Graphics & Branding
Your artwork is applied in three ways. UV print is the default — full-colour, photo-realistic and cured directly onto the panel or acrylic face. Vinyl film gives a clean Pantone-matched brand look, and cut acrylic letters add a raised, dimensional feel. Send your vector file (AI / EPS / PDF / DXF) and we reproduce it to the millimetre.
Illumination Options
Internal LED turns the lightbox on, glowing through both acrylic faces. Push-through acrylic letters let the lettering itself carry the light for a premium architectural look. Non-illuminated is the budget option for daytime-only visibility. All illuminated builds are sealed to IP65 and run on a low-voltage Class 2 driver.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Constructions | Illuminated lightbox / non-illuminated panel |
| Frame (lightbox) | Aluminum extrusion |
| Faces (lightbox) | Translucent acrylic, double-sided |
| Panel (non-lit) | Aluminum composite panel (dibond), extrusion sides |
| Graphics | UV print (primary) / vinyl film / acrylic letters |
| Illumination | Internal LED / push-through letters / non-lit |
| Bracket / arm | Steel or aluminum, laser-cut + bent + welded + powder-coated |
| Working voltage | AC 110-220 V input (Class 2 driver) · 12 V / 24 V DC output |
| Waterproofing | IP65 |
| Sides | Double-sided standard, single-sided on request |
| Size / thickness | Custom to order |
| Certification | CE, RoHS, UL-listed components |
| MOQ | 1 piece |
| Production | 7–14 days |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Applications
Blade signs are specified for retail and boutique stores, restaurants and cafes, barbershops and salons, hotels and pubs, and historic districts where a classic projecting sign is part of the character. Anywhere foot traffic passes along a frontage, a projecting sign captures the eye from both directions.
Total Cost of Ownership
| Metric | Blade sign | Flat wall sign |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Two directions (both sides of the street) | One direction only |
| Pedestrian reach | Into the line of sight | Above the line of sight |
| Illumination | Lightbox or push-through LED | Face-lit or none |
| Relative cost | Higher (arm + double-sided) | Lower |
| Best for | Dense street frontage | Facade / fascia branding |
Quality Control & Test Methodology
- Wind-load check — arm and wall plate engineered for the projection and sign area.
- IP65 seal test — illuminated builds sealed and checked against water ingress.
- Burn-in (illuminated) — LED runs 24 hours before packing.
- Finish inspection — powder-coat coverage and colour checked against RAL/Pantone.
- Dimensional check — sign measured against the approved artwork.
Failure Modes & Prevention
| Failure mode | Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Wind damage / arm failure | Under-engineered bracket | Engineered arm + through-bolt mounting |
| Water ingress (illuminated) | Poor seal | IP65 sealing + drainage |
| UV fading of graphics | Non-UV-stable inks | UV-stable inks + laminate |
| LED failure | Driver / heat | Class 2 driver + 24 h burn-in |
| Bracket corrosion | Uncoated steel | Powder coat / stainless option |
Certification & Compliance
Illuminated builds use CE- and RoHS-compliant components and UL-listed power supplies. Electric signs fall under UL 48; the RoHS Directive restricts hazardous substances, and the CE marking declares conformity for the EU market. Outdoor enclosures are rated IP65 per IEC 60529.
MOQ, Lead Time & Pricing
Pricing is driven by size, construction, illumination and quantity. A single sign ships in 7–14 days; volume orders are tiered.
| Quantity | Pricing | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece | Single-unit price | 7–14 days |
| 5–100 sets | Tiered | 7–14 days |
| 100+ sets | Wholesale / OEM | 14–30 days |
Wholesale, OEM & Private Label
For sign companies, distributors and Amazon sellers we run OEM and private-label programs with your branding and blind fulfilment to your customer. Reseller and agency pricing is quoted on volume — we do not publish a public wholesale list.
Supplier Evaluation Checklist
- Is the construction named (aluminum extrusion + acrylic or dibond)?
- Is the arm engineered for wind load, not just a decorative bracket?
- Is the waterproofing stated (IP65 for outdoor)?
- Are graphics UV-stable (fade-resistant inks + laminate)?
- Are CE / RoHS / UL certificates available on request?
- Is MOQ, lead time and warranty written down?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a blade sign?
A blade sign, also called a projecting or hanging sign, extends perpendicular from the building facade on a bracket or arm instead of sitting flat against the wall. Because it stands into the street, it is visible to pedestrians approaching from both directions, which is why blade signs are double-sided by default.
Can blade signs be illuminated?
Yes – three ways. An illuminated lightbox uses an aluminum extrusion frame, two translucent acrylic faces and internal LED. Push-through acrylic letters let the lettering itself glow. Non-illuminated is the budget option for daytime-only visibility. All illuminated builds are sealed to IP65.
How is a blade sign mounted, and will it hold in wind?
The sign hangs from a projecting arm engineered for wind load – the wall plate is through-bolted to the facade and the arm is fabricated from steel or aluminum, welded and powder-coated. Mounting is specified with the wall condition and projection distance so the sign stays safe in high wind.
What materials are used?
The lightbox uses an aluminum extrusion frame with translucent acrylic faces. The non-lit panel uses aluminum extrusion sides with an aluminum composite panel (dibond) face. The projecting arm is steel or aluminum, powder-coated against corrosion.
What graphics options do I have?
UV print is the default – full-colour and photo-realistic, cured directly onto the panel or face. Vinyl film gives a clean Pantone-matched look, and cut acrylic letters add a raised dimensional feel. Send a vector file (AI / EPS / PDF / DXF) and we reproduce it exactly.
What is the MOQ and lead time?
MOQ is 1 piece. A single sign ships in 7-14 days, 5-100 sets in 7-14 days, and 100+ sets in 14-30 days. We provide a free design proof from your artwork before production.
Key Takeaways
- Blade signs project perpendicular from the wall on an engineered arm, double-sided so pedestrians see them from both directions.
- Two constructions: an illuminated lightbox (aluminum extrusion + acrylic faces + LED) and a non-lit panel (aluminum extrusion + dibond face).
- Graphics by UV print, vinyl film or cut acrylic letters; illumination by internal LED, push-through letters or non-lit.
- Steel/aluminum powder-coated arm, IP65 sealed, MOQ 1 piece, 7-14 day production, CE/RoHS components.
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