Call us at (805) 641-1387


Call us today for an Estimate at (805) 641-1387 or

Request a Quote Online

Call us at (805) 641-1387


Blade Signs for Business, Storefront & Restaurant Signage

Blade Signs create visual interest and function well in many environments.

Looking for a new way to advertise your business? Are you searching online for “blade signs near me?” Well, Dave’s Signs has you covered locally and nationwide.

We invite you to check out our blade signage. Our signs are made of high-quality materials and will last for years. Plus, some are easy to install—you don’t need any special tools or equipment.

Our gallery has a wide variety of options, perfect for any store or restaurant.

From stores to office buildings, blade signs have stood the test of time. These classic signs are currently a trending item across the country.

But first, what makes a blade sign a blade sign?

Finney’s Crafthouse Signs by Dave’s Signs 2019

What is a Blade Sign?

Shanghai Beer Garden is a custom illuminated blade sign that uses neon, channel letters, and a lightbox for the dragon logo.

Blade signs traditionally consist of a thin, flat piece of metal, aluminum, or MDO plywood mounted to a building or post. The name “blade” comes from the fact that the sign hangs down or juts out like a blade.

Blade signs are designed to hang vertically or horizontally on a bracket or frame near the business’s entryway. Rugged and robust, they are mounted perpendicular to walls or other surfaces. Some even hang down from the ceiling.

One of the best features of a blade sign is its short setback. Paired with an eye-catching design makes them highly visible.

They come illuminated or non-illuminated but always provide a focal point for passersby to view.

There are many different types of blade signs, but all share some standard features. They are typically skinny and lightweight, making them easy to mount. They also have a sleek, modern design, perfect for businesses of all types.

Blade signage works well in strip malls, downtown businesses, areas with frequent pedestrian traffic, and businesses with sidewalks in front.

Blade Signs are Designed for Attracting Foot Traffic

Honey Cup, a non-illuminated storefront pole is a standard swinging blade sign easily seen from the street.

One of the main benefits of blade signage is that they are easy to see while walking. Pedestrians won’t have to turn their heads and look at a sign that is flat up against the storefront. They can see the sign from a distance as they move forward because it projects outward and is perpendicular to the building.

Blade signs are also perfect for businesses that want to make a statement. With their sleek design and eye-catching colors, blade signs are sure to grab attention.

Why Choose a Blade Sign?

Midici Wood Fired Pizza is surface perpendicular so it can be seen without having to turn your head.

This type of sign for your business is beneficial in many ways. Here are some of the most important:

  • Blade signs are very versatile for just about any business.
  • They are made of high-quality materials and will last for years.
  • Some are easy to install and don’t require special tools or equipment.
  • Their sleek, modern style will give your business a professional look.
  • Simple blade signs can be budget-friendly while still making a statement.
  • Sophisticated illuminated blade signs can be the standout on the entire block.

Businesses That Use Blade Signage

Blade Sign Celadon
Celadon House store sign located in downtown Santa Barbara is designed to attract foot traffic.

We’ve seen an incredible number of requests for blade signs in recent years. Here are a few types of businesses that have found great success with blade signs.

  • Retail Stores: Retail stores benefit from blade signage, especially if they are located in a crowded space. Blade signs for retail are a great way to enhance the storefront while attracting the attention of shoppers walking by.
  • Restaurants: Restaurants are perfect for blade signage because they generate excitement and build anticipation for the experience. A high-quality sign says a lot about the food and can create a sense of fun and intrigue.
  • Shopping Malls: These signs are perfect for businesses located in shopping malls. Compact and double-sided, they are a great way to attract attention from drivers and pedestrians.
  • Office Buildings: Office buildings can also use blade signs to promote their business by simply displaying their name and logo. They help customers know where they are, especially in office buildings that look the same, and it’s hard to differentiate one office suite from another.

Blade sign Ojai

  • Vineyards: Local vineyards and tasting rooms abound in California.  A hanging blade sign like the one we created for Majestic Oak Vineyard in Ojai adds an elegant touch that’s on-brand.

Different Types of Custom Blade Signs

As you can see from the gallery at Dave’s Signs, there are many different types of blade signs that you can choose from. Here are a few of their popular designs and the various ways they are used.

Hanging Blade Signs

Point de Chene is a sandblasted and hand-painted blade sign made out of MDO plywood.

Hanging blade signs, also called swinging signs, are typically double-sided and hang from a mount on the wall or ceiling above the business. They can be designed using custom print graphics, vinyl letters, hand-painted, sandblasted, or even routed. The most common sizes are square, rectangle, and round, but we can make them into any custom shape.

Here are 2 Types of swinging blade signs.

  • Wall Mount: Wall-mounted swinging blade signs are not illuminated. Their custom design displays your company’s name and logo. They usually hang from chains on a bracket mounted on a wall, a pole, or an ornamental frame. These signs are simple, eye-catching, and affordable.
  • Ceiling Mount: Ceiling-mounted swinging blade signs like the one pictured here can be a great way to grab attention in shopping malls and other retail locations where wall space is limited. These hanging signs are right in view, making them easy to see for shoppers walking or driving by.
Carpinteria Eye Care is one of several ceiling mount store signs in this strip mall in Carpinteria, CA.

Stationary Blade Signs

Stationary blade signs are a great way to showcase your business name and logo. They are simple, polished, and professional-looking. Since they are stationary, they can be illuminated with various lighting styles and other sign technologies like channel letters, neon, lightbox illumination, and dimensional letters because they can support the added weight. They can be used indoors or outdoors in your building and come in a variety of sizes.

Illuminated Blade Signs

Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen Illuminated Blade Sign uses a lightbox, front-lit channel letters and LED lighting.

Illuminated blade signs are perfect for businesses that want to make a statement 24/7. These signs are brightly lit and can be seen from a distance. Illuminated blade signs are custom-made to fit your brand and lit using channel letters, LED, neon, and or illuminated lightboxes.

Custom Illuminated Blade Signs

Typically most of our custom illuminated blade signs have a combination of lighting technologies in one sign. Since each lighting style brings its own look and feel, sometimes the right combination of different styles can bring the most eye-catching and appealing sign on the block.

For example, the Finneys Crafthouse & Kitchen sign at the top of this article is a two-sided custom-shaped stationary sign. It uses neon lighting, face-lit channel letters, and an illuminated lightbox for the “& Kitchen” section. This sign is huge and stands out for an entire block. Pedestrians and drivers can all see this sign day or night. It’s like a beacon for all to come and try out Finney’s.

Here are some classics for those who want to focus on one lighting style.

Neon Blade Signs

Neon signs are always going to attract attention to your company or storefront. Here is an example.

Neon-lit blade signs are iconic and are a special type of lighted blade sign we regularly make for our clients. These illuminated blade signs are perfect for businesses that want to stand out from the competition in a nostalgic tone. They are brightly lit and can be seen from a distance, making them perfect for promoting your business at night.

Channel Letter Blade Signs

Victoria Court shopping mall sign uses halo-lit channel letters so looks great during the day and lights up at night.

You can’t go wrong with a channel letter sign. A channel letter means any character, letter, shape, or number that is 3-D and has a lighting element inside. These signs can be face-lit and or halo-lit. Typically made of aluminum and acrylic, a channel letter blade sign is rugged, affordable, and makes a statement 24/7.4

Illuminated Lightbox Blade Signs

Infogrip and Your Low Vision Store projecting lightbox signs can be seen from the street.

Star of CA Illuminated Monument Sign by Dave’s SignsYou’ll find many illuminated lightbox signs – illuminated cabinets – used for businesses alongside city streets. These projecting signs help drivers see the business, especially at night.

These signs offer a property manager a permanent sign fixture that can be easily updated when a new tenant moves into the space.

3-D / Dimensional Letter Blade Signs

Mondos restaurant dimensional letter externally lit blade sign.

Three-dimensional blade signs are perfect for businesses that want to stand out in 3-D at a lower cost than channel letters. The sleek, flowing lines of this type of blade sign will catch the eye of passersby and invite them in to see what the business is all about. These signs can be lit externally with flood and spotlights, bullet, or even gooseneck lights.

Three-dimensional blade signs are perfect for businesses that want to stand out in 3-D without the higher cost of channel letters. The sleek, flowing lines of this type of blade sign will catch the eye of passersby and invite them in to see what you’re business is all about.

Custom Shapes

Rookees blade sign
Want to get creative? Let our sign experts come up with a really eyecatching design that stretches the imagination.

Custom blade sign shapes can be striking. Their detailed craftsmanship, like this custom outdoor blade sign we did for Rookees illustrates a uniqueness and character you can’t get from a standard flat panel sign.

Sandblasted & Routed Blade Signs

Blade sign for massage place
This clean and simple design has texture on the surface to give it that 3-D feel all on one flat panel graphic.

Lastly, everyone has seen a sandblasted or routed sign like this one, Zen Massage Place. A custom shape, 3-D feel on the letters, background texture, and a pop of color make this sign really stand out on Main Street downtown.

What are Blade Signs Made from?

Many materials can go into making them. Let’s take a closer look:

  • Aluminum / Metal – Aluminum and metal with acrylic graphics, flat graphic signs, and illuminated cabinets – aka lightbox signs.
  • Wood – Redwood or cedar for a traditional wood sign look. Great for sandblasted and routed signs.
  • Acrylic – Durable and weather-resistant, acrylic signs get your message across in 3-D.
  • MDO – Flat graphic signs, weather-resistant and waterproof, these medium-density overlay plywood signs are common in real estate.

Blade Signage Services & Support

Blade Signage Design

Our design department can come up with the best store signs and restaurant signs, like this lighted blade sign for Mupu Grill.

Whether you are working with existing branding guidelines, sign designs, or need something designed from scratch. We have an excellent design team that can work with you to come up with a standout design that matches your brand and meets the sign requirements of your city or location.

Blade Signage Permits

Do you need help with the city permitting process? Or maybe you have restrictions or limitations at your site location. Let us handle it. We have been working with cities and compliance for over 20 years. We know the permitting process. Often clients will come to us before they purchase or lease property to advise them on signage regulations and how they will affect their business.

Escape Blade Sign
One of the benefits is our experienced staff can help you with the permitting process – no matter what city you are in.

Blade Signage Fabrication

We fabricate our blade signage in-house so we can control the quality. Whether it’s a simple flat graphic blade sign or sophisticated illuminated cabinet blade signage with neon and halo-lit channel letters, we make sure it’s up to code and looks great.

We work on projects big and small. From large high rises to small downtown businesses where blade signs are popular.

Blade Sign Installation

A few blade signs are simple, lightweight, and easy to install because the brackets are already in place. You just have to switch out the swinging flat panel. However, most blade signage requires professional installation. Our expert installers will ensure your sign is secure, looks great, and is compliant with city ordinances.

Blade Sign
Blade signs bring in customers. A classic that’s been around for many years and its here to stay.

Blade Signage Service & Repair

We feel that there is no one better to maintain your sign than the company who made it. Not only will we design, fabricate and install your signs. We’ll be there for routine maintenance and repair when the need arises.

Do you already have blade signage done by someone else? Does it need repair, removal, or restoration? No problem, call us. We can repair your sign or create a brand new sign just like it.

Dave’s Signs: Your Custom Blade Sign Company

Toppers Pizza Blade Sign
Here is a design, build and installation we did for Toppers Pizza in Channel Islands. Contact us for your signage needs.

From a traditional blade sign design to custom signs that speak to your brand, the team at Dave’s Signs can make the right sign for your business site a reality. And whether we use custom lighting like halo-lit channel letters or something else you have in mind, your projecting sign will capture the imagination of everyone passing by.

We’ll be there for every step, from getting permits, designing your sign, and fabrication to installing it properly.

Whether you’re local or out of state – we ship nationwide. If you’re interested in finding out more about our custom blade signage, you can contact us at (805) 641-1387. You can also reach out to us with questions or request a quote online.

 

Dave’s Signs Blog

This is a blog about signs. We highlight the different types of signs: signs we’ve created for our customers, history of sign design and today’s cutting edge sign technologies. Ask a question about signs, and you’ll likely find the answer here.

Case Studies

Spencer Makenzies Neon Sign

Here we go into detail on some of the custom signs we’ve done. Including Spencer Makenzie’s Neon Sign, Topper’s Pizza Neon Signs in the Oxnard Harbor, and The Historic Ventura Pole Sign. Check back with us. We’ll have more case studies of signs posted in the near future.

Custom Signs Near You

Saloon BBQ Custom Sign

We’ve designed, fabricated, installed and serviced signs all over southern California. Here are some highlighted areas near you including Ventura, Oxnard and Santa Barbara. Check back soon for more updates.

Call us today for an Estimate at (805) 641-1387 or

Request a Quote Online

Call us at (805) 641-1387


Neon Sign Design Computer

We Make Beautiful Neon Signs in Our On-Site Facility

Dave’s Signs has perfected the art of neon signs. We can handle all sizes of neon signage, from the small intricate signs to the eye-catching, large neon signs. Ask us for a personalized quote or contact us for any questions you may have about neon signage.

See Our Neon Sign Gallery


Dave’s Signs Makes Custom Office Signs

Whether you need a lobby sign, directional signage or ADA signs, Dave’s Signs can help you with all your office sign needs. We can use your logo and create a beautiful, distinctive sign for your office. We can also create custom building directory signs, suite signs, and directional signs to give the building a unique unified theme. Call us today to help you with all your office sign needs.

See Our Custom Signs

Custom Sign Design Grove Avenue