Custom Wood Signs

Custom wood signs can be CNC carved or hand painted with a customer’s name, a phrase, cabin name, address.

Designing Signage That Lasts: Best Practices for Outdoor Signs

Introduction:

When you invest in outdoor signage, you’re not just buying a marker for your business—you’re creating a lasting impression for years to come. The best type of sign for outside is one that combines durability, eye-catching design, and materials made to withstand the elements. From carved wood to creative monument signs, a well-crafted piece can serve as both a marketing tool and a piece of functional art.

Here’s what you should know to ensure your next sign is truly a long lasting sign.

1. Start With the Right Material

The foundation of a durable sign is its material. For outdoor use, not all substrates are created equal.

High-Density Urethane (HDU) – Lightweight, waterproof, and immune to rot, high density urethane (HDU) is ideal for intricate 3D carving and layered designs.
Wood – Some woods are better than others. Cedar, redwood, and white oak have are naturally resistant to insects and decay, these woods offer a timeless look when properly sealed. Other hardwoods also work well. BUT BEWARE, all wood will expand and contract eventually shift enough that will cause the paint/finish to crack. Therefore, wood is not ideal.
Plywood – Plywood will move and the paint will crack and moisture will get in. This can happen after 1 year or less. If plywood is being used for a signs here is our recommendation: use sign grade medium density overlay (MDO), round over the edges with a router, apply wood glue or epoxy to the edges, then two coats of primer, then good paint.
Aluminum vs. Steel – Steel will rust over time even when painted. Powder coating steel is one solution. Stainless steel is great of course. Aluminum is also great because it resists rust and is light weight.
Plastics and Vinyls – Some plastics are better than others. Some types of acrylic can scratch and yellow and become foggy. Some PVC’s like expanded PVC can warp like crazy in the sun. Vinyl lettering and printed vinyl will last for a while but then will crack and peel and the colors will fade.
Concrete and Mortar – Very strong, very durable and long lasting. Caution and experience must be used to paint/stain it.

Choosing the right base material ensures your sign can handle everything from scorching sun to driving rain.

2. Weatherproof From Day One

A truly long lasting sign isn’t just about what it’s made from—it’s about how it’s protected.

Sealants & Primers – Multiple coats of marine-grade primer and sealer keep moisture out and prevent cracking.
UV Protection – Fade-resistant paints and clear coats shield against the sun’s harsh rays.
Rust-Free Hardware – Stainless steel or powder-coated fasteners prevent staining and corrosion.

Starting with top-tier protection means fewer repairs and better curb appeal over the years. Be sure to read this post about the best clear coat finish to put on your wood sign.

Wood sign with v-carved letters painted black.

3. Design for Your Environment

Where your sign will live should influence how it’s built.

Wind Load & Snow Load – Monument signs need solid footings and reinforced framing to handle seasonal storms.
Sun Exposure – South-facing signs may need extra UV protection.
Drainage & Airflow – Prevent water pooling at the base to avoid premature damage.

Custom design ensures the best type of sign for outside is tailored to your location’s unique challenges.

4. Maintain It Like an Investment

Even the strongest signs benefit from care.

Seasonal Inspections – Look for peeling paint, loose hardware, or small cracks before they grow.
Gentle Cleaning – Use mild soap and water; avoid high-pressure washing that can strip coatings.
Professional Touch-Ups – Periodic refinishing keeps your sign looking fresh for decades.

Think of maintenance as protecting your brand—not just your sign.

5. Craftsmanship Makes the Difference

A well-made sign is more than a display—it’s a statement.

3D carved and layered designs add depth and visual interest that flat vinyl simply can’t match. Our team blends artistry with precision CNC routing to create durable signs that not only survive the outdoors but elevate your brand’s image.

If you’re serious about getting the best type of sign for outside, invest in quality materials, expert weatherproofing, and professional craftsmanship. The result is a long lasting sign that continues to work for you year after year.

Ready to create a 3D carved or monument sign that will stand the test of time? Contact Custom Signs 3D today and let’s design something extraordinary.

View award winning HDU signs here.

Ornate Sign Brackets

Ornate sign brackets can be as eye-catching and unique as the sign itself.

As well as impactful, ornate sign brackets should be rigid and hold up in strong winds. Most are made of steel or aluminum. Common finishes include glossy or matte spray paint, layered or textured paint effects, or powder coating.

ornate sign bracket and wood carved sign copy

Consider an ornate sign bracket when brainstorming ideas for your sign. An ornate bracket gives an impression of professionalism and elegance. You will be pleased with the results.

Metal Sign with scroll details and prismatic gold leaf letters.

Signs with Gold Leaf

Signs with gold leaf add distinction, flair, and value to your design. Gold leaf is gold that has been hammered into thin sheets and has been used for centuries. It shines brightly in the sunshine and continues to gleam for many years in exterior conditions. Signs with gold leaf typically highlight letters and graphics where you might otherwise use gold paint. It can be added to wood, HDU and metal signs. Since gold is immune to most chemicals and weather conditions, it will last much longer than paint. Obviously, it costs more than paint but the results can add professionalism, dimension and longevity to a sign that may far exceed the price.

Andreas-Keller---carved-cedar-circle,-HDU-scroll-with-gold-leafed-lettering

Carved Cedar Signs

Carved cedar signs hold fine detail that make for beautiful and very unique designs. Cedar has a rich texture combined with warm, mellow tones. The tones can range from light amber to deep honey brown. Cedar contains oils that make it moisture resistant, fungus resistant and distasteful to bugs. Outdoors, cedar will outlast many hardwoods, because the resins and oil act as a wood preservative. Cedar signs can be carved with a v-carved technique or raised text and graphics or given a burnt look with a torch. To keep the wood looking fresh, a clear coat, or penetrating oil can be applied after carving. For outdoor signs, because it is a natural wood product, regular maintenance will be required and a new protective coat applied every 2-3 years , especially in locations with weather extremes and direct sun.

Carved Cedar - board with wood grain texture and raised letters

High-Camp---cedar-with-chisel-texture-background,-v-carved-lettering

3D sign saying Greatness Made Here with sculpted woman holding a paint brush and pencil.

Directional Signs

Directional signs will help guide vehicle or pedestrian traffic by pointing them in the right direction.

Directional signs at your entry points and place of business help customers locate you. Your sign can be shaped like an arrow pointing toward the destination. It can be a directory of each business in a building or down a driveway. Wood, HDU, aluminum composite, PVC are some of the materials used for directional signs. Your design can be elaborate with sculpted figures and unique elements or it can be something simple. Making it easy for your customers and guests by giving them directions as they arrive, will always provide a positive lasting impression.

wooden signs hang from a rustic structure

Wood Signs with Carved Letters

Wood signs with carved letters can be far more interesting than painted text alone, and such signs make great gifts for family and friends.

We use a variety of wood for these custom signs. They can have raised letters or letters that are carved down into the wood. The letters can be left natural with a clear coat or oil finish or painted. Wood signs with carved letters are very popular with name signs, address signs and cabin and lodge name signs.

Large wooden sign with raised letters and carved background

Lakeview Retreat sign with carved wood grain texture

The Pine Chalet - solid cedar slab with penetrating oil, v-carved letters and graphic painted black

Painted Wood Signs

Painted wood signs have a history that stretches back centuries. And they are still very popular today.

Because of all the different paints available now, just about any color can be matched to a customer’s specifications. Painted signs can produce a clean, durable finish and create a colorful statement. We make wood signs out of a variety of woods with cedar being the most popular, but we also use redwood, Douglas fir, pine, walnut, maple, oak and more. They may be carved, sandblasted or left flat. Many of our hand painted wood signs have some very intricate design features while others are simple, flat name or directional signs. Painted wood signs can be used indoors or outdoors but may need some regular maintenance if placed outdoors.

Icicle Creek - sandblasted cedar signs 1.5" thick

Lambert - clear coated cedar routed down graphic and lettering painted

Red-Tail Canyon Farm - hand routed Douglas Fir with raised lettering

French Cleat Sign

How to install a sign using a french cleat.

Using a cleat is a nice way to mount a sign to a wall without having visible fasteners. After reading this page and following the tips we hope that you will feel confident in mounting your new sign.

Step 1: Understand what they are and how they work.

The easiest way is probably to look at these photos which are pretty self explanatory.

Or view more french cleat images on Google

Step 2: Get a cleat.

There are several types that you can buy such as this 20″ long kit from Amazon that can hold 200 pounds and is made specifically for dry wall or the smaller 60 pound version.

We often make our own cleats out of wood or plywood. Here are some wooden cleats from Amazon. The thicker the cleat, the farther from the wall your sign will be. We often think it looks nice to have the sign “hover” 3/4″ off the wall.

“Z-clips” is another term that may help when searching for the best option to buy.

Step 3: Install it.

Generally, even large heavy signs only require one cleat. Well, we call it “one” cleat but technically it’s a 2-part cleat (one goes on the wall and one goes on the back of the sign). The cleat should be at least half as wide as the sign. If your sign is 24″ wide, we suggest the cleat be at least 12″ long.

The cleat should be about two thirds of the way up the sign. Not at the tippy top but definitely not near the bottom. That allows gravity to do it’s job and hopefully the sign will hang plumb and not lean back and touch the wall at any point.

Sometimes on larger signs you will need an additional spacer near the bottom of the sign because the bottom of the sign will want to lean back and touch the wall. The spacer should be the same thickness as the cleat.

It’s important that the cleat be installed on the wall level and facing the right direction. And it’s important that the cleat on the back of the sign is mounted level (parallel) to the sign.

The sign simply hangs on the cleat and is held on by gravity alone. If your sign will be in a windy location, or if you are concerned with earthquakes or theft, then the sign will need to be “locked” in place.

One easy way to do that is to send one trim screw, available from Amazon or hardware stores, through the face of the sign (after it’s installed) and into the wall. You’ll need to hit something solid in the wall like a wood stud. Or if you use a wooden cleat you can screw into that. Trim screws are nice because of their small heads. It can often be hidden in an inconspicuous part of the sign such as a knot (if it’s a wooden sign).

Another method to “lock” your sign in place is to attach something above your sign after it’s installed so that it can’t lift up and off such as a screw or nail or trim board.

Good luck!

Wood Finishes

What is the best clear coat finish to put on your wood sign?

Well, it depends on a few factors but let us try to get you an answer.

Will it be outside in the rain, snow, and sun? Will it be outside but under cover and little to no direct sunlight? Is low maintenance important? Is it important to you that the clear coat is “clear” and does not tint the wood orange?

Here is a list a few different clear coats that are often used for signs.

• Water based polyurethane

• Water based spar urethane

• Oil based spar urethane

• Penetrating oil

• Shellac

• Varnish

• Epoxy Resin

The best two types of clear coats for wooden signs that we’ve tested for outdoor use are:

Oil based spar urethane – Build up multiple layers of this clear finish to help preserve the color of the wood. It will yellow some and it will need re-coated every few years but it’s better than most of the alternatives we’ve tested.
Penetrating oil – A couple coats of a penetrating oil will soak into the wood and repel moisture while retaining a nice natural look. Re-coat every few years to keep the wood from turning grey and dark. UV protection and mildew resistance are good things to look for when choosing a penetrating oil. One brand we like is Ready Seal.

The major difference between the two options is that one sits on top and looks like a clear film and the other penetrates into the wood and therefore will not flake off if maintenance is neglected.

For indoor use we prefer:

Water based polyurethane – It’s easy to apply and give a nice protective clear finish.
Oil – We like teak oil, or Danish oil, or Odies Oil for an easy wipe on natural finish.

For building up a thick clear coat for interior signs we like to use an epoxy resin such as Dr. Crafty or West System.

There is a vast rabbit hole of information out there but hopefully this at least gives you a starting point. Have a look at some of our wooden signs to see clear coats in action.