After a while, even the most brilliantly decorated room can start to feel a bit stale. But when to change? For many homes and businesses, adding a custom display can liven up the space while incorporating imagery, symbols, or even colors that are of particular meaning to the people who occupy that area.
Custom indoor signs don’t have to just be a square with a company name and logo (although they can if that’s right for you!). Consider the many possibilities of both residential and commercial use.
Your backyard tiki bar and pool would be a lot more thematic with a bright, glowing stylized palm tree sign above the liquor cabinet. What about a business logo created in an eye-catching 3D render that immediately catches the attention of passersby?
If you’re considering a 3D sign, let’s talk more about the fabrication process to help you see exactly what makes these signs so special.
Getting Started with 3D Fabrication
Before any 3D sign comes to life, it needs to be planned out with designers who can provide direction for your idea. For customers who already have a design in mind, they should have it stored in a vector file (such as PDF, SVG, or AI) whenever possible. This allows for the greatest retention of detail. Even if you have an idea in a different file type, it might be possible to make it work!
Before meeting with the sign designer, consider a few important details:
- What’s the budget?
- Where will the sign be placed?
- How big should it be?
- How big is the wall where it’s being displayed?
- How soon do you need it?
- Should it be backlit?
- How will it be attached to the wall?
These early considerations can inform how the final product turns out and fits into the desired location.
Developing the Mock-Up
Once everything is decided, the 3D sign fabricators will construct a 3D mock-up in a rendering software like Blender. This allows both the company and the customer to get a good look at what the final sign will look like from all angles, using 360 degrees for full viewing on a computer.
This also allows the building team to determine how thick the various pieces of the sign should be and how they will fit together or be spaced to create the 3D effect. The mock-up stage allows for any adjustment to the look of the sign. Once the customer is happy with the final result, the team can start bringing that image to life in the real world.
Crafting the Sign
Next, the pieces of the sign need to be cut to the appropriate size. Some companies use drills or grinders to shape metal pieces, but the best industry professionals use laser cutting to make sure that every edge is smooth. This also allows the design to come out exactly as it was pictured in the 3D mock-up.
Each piece is crafted by hand and refined to match the specifications of the original design. Then, the sign can be assembled using those fixtures that are necessary to reproduce the mock-up in real life. Some signs are flat and only require the implements to hang them, while others are deeply three-dimensional and require multiple offset layers to produce that visually striking effect.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Once the sign is properly constructed, the team can add the finishing touches. If customers requested lighting as part of the sign, it is installed at this time. Most signs are also powder coated, which allows for a diverse range of colors on the final product. Powder coated items resist chipping and inconsistent color application, and they cure quickly so that you can receive your sign as soon as possible.
Delivering the Final Product
Once done, the sign is carefully stored and packed for transport to make sure it arrives exactly the same as when it leaves the workshop. ShieldCo custom-crafts each shipping container so that the sign is properly supported throughout its journey, regardless of its shape. Our team also offers to help install the sign once it arrives so that it’s even, level, and secure.
Try a 3D Sign in Your Home or Business
No matter if you’re looking to spice up your finished basement rec room or you want to make a stunning first impression on customers who enter your business, custom 3D signs can be a great option. The artists at ShieldCo Signs treat each of our signs as a work of art, ensuring a high-quality installation that is crafted with care and beauty. Contact ShieldCo to share your vision with us and work together on a sign that perfectly matches your space!