Secret Recipes for Great Custom Signage

For over 27 years, I have been a chef of sorts here in South Carolina. A chef who creates signs. And not just any signs – great signs.

I’m sure you’re wondering how you become a sign chef. After all, it certainly isn’t a typical job description.  It has taken many years of experience, an eye for good design, wits for writing, and a plethora of technical knowledge to perfect my recipes for success.

Now, I want to share these secret recipes with you. I guess that would make them not-so-secret recipes. That’s OK, since I like seeing business owners with successful signage.

We will take a peek at what makes a custom sign work for a business, from materials, to design, to how it is installed. And we will also discuss some failures so that we can improve our recipes.

Negative Can Actually Be Positive …the laws of physics indeed apply to signs

Size Matters …bigger may not always be better

Square Pegs Can Fit Round Holes …but do you want to?

Pictures Aren’t Always Worth a Thousand Words …sometimes they are worth a million

Color Isn’t Always the Brightest Choice …and is gold really worth its weight?

Lasting Impressions Are Easier Than You Think …make sure it’s a good one, just like on a first date

It’s just like in cooking – if a recipe isn’t good, you should notshouldn’t make it again. After all, there are a ton of proven yummy recipes out there. I can help you discover the one that’ll work for you.

And I love requests for recipes! If you have thoughts about custom signs, or questions, don’t worry, you’re not alone. You may only buy a couple of signs over the course of your life, but over the years I’ve assisted with many more. Just drop me a line at with your special request and I can get right back to you, and cover it in a future column or blog.

Until the next time, you’ll find me in the sign kitchen, or online at TheSignChef.com