What are the Secrets to Professional Looking Custom Signs?

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

I am sure you’re questioning how one becomes a sign chef. After all, it certainly is not a standard job description.  It has taken many years of experience, an eye for design, wits for writing, and technical knowledge to perfect my recipe 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 signs.

We’ll take a look at what makes a custom sign work for a business, from materials, to design, to how the sign 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 Does Matter …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 is Not Always the Brightest Choice …and is gold really worth its weight?

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

So 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 delicious recipes out there. I can help you learn how to find the one that’ll work for your specific needs.

And I love requests for recipes! If you have thoughts about custom signs, or questions, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. You may only buy a couple of signs in your life, but over the years I have 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