What goes into making your custom wood sign
Ever wonder how much work is involved in making a wood sign? The first thing is talent and experience, some people think it means owning a router. I have heard so many times I have a router or so and so has a router! Having a router you can make a sign, but a quality sign is another story! I have a kitchen and I can cook, but it doesn’t make me a chef! Much more goes into the process then owning a router. Next is knowing what router bit to use for a vector or raster cut. Then if you want raised or recessed lettering.
That is just the beginning of the process, then there is the material to use. You can use Pine or Doug fir and that is okay if the whole sign will be painted. Then there is Oak, Walnut, Hickory, Maple etc. These are great hardwoods, but still not the best for outdoor use. The ideal choice is Redwood and Cedar and even Cypress. My choice is Redwood, then Cedar. That brings up the next step for a quality sign, the grade of material you use. Boards intended for fences are low end grade filled with knots.
I use only higher grade second growth and reclaimed old growth redwood. I travel 8 hours one way to the Northern coast of California to buy old growth. I buy dry rough cut and my home shop I surface and cut to size. I cut each board to size by width and to length. That is just the board!
Once I pick the right board, comes the layout. When I hand route your sign I measure where the lettering should go. I still do it the old fashioned way with stencils, which includes the artwork. With script lettering I hand layout where the letters should go an often hand draw the art work. I have added a CNC well 3 CNC routers to enhance making your custom redwood sign. With the CNC machine you would think it the process is easier? Not so with a CNC it requires the knowledge of computer software and design. But with the CNC I can offer many more fonts and detailed art work among many other options.
Now the sign is carved the process is halfway there! Now comes what trim you want. Next is the prep work for finishing, the carving will leave fibers I call feathers. Using a torch I burn away the feathers and then I blow out the dust. Then I paint the letters by spray painting or hand brushing covering all the recessed letters. With raised I spray the background, once the paint to dry I sand or plane the excess paint. I do some fine sanding and then the next step.
If there is any artwork I take time and paint whatever it is correctly! Then when dried comes the finishing I apply a min. of 3 coats or more to get a high gloss. When it is dry the sign is finish and I present it to you! I do my best to not only make a sign, but a piece of artwork with your name that will last a life time with proper care!