Making attractive and durable outdoor signs can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. With the right materials and techniques, you can create customized signs to display business names, direct traffic, or convey any message you like. Here are some tips for how to make great outdoor signs that will withstand the elements.
Choose the Right Materials
Selecting suitable materials is key for outdoor signs. The materials need to be weatherproof and durable enough to withstand sun, rain, snow, and wind. Here are some good options to consider:
Wood
- Cedar and redwood are naturally weather-resistant woods that make excellent sign material. Avoid untreated pine as it can easily warp and rot.
- Use exterior grade plywood for signs. Marine-grade plywood is best for resisting moisture damage.
- Prime and paint wood signs for extra protection. Use exterior enamel paints.
Metal
- Aluminum is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and easy to cut and shape. Anodized aluminum provides extra weather protection.
- Galvanized steel is affordable and can be painted or powder coated. Use automotive grade paint.
- Etched stainless steel looks modern and sleek. Ensure the grade is appropriate for outdoor use.
Plastics
- Polycarbonate, PVC, acrylic, and plastic laminates like Coroplast are waterproof and long-lasting.
- Look for UV-resistant, exterior grade plastic to prevent fading and sun damage.
- Plastics like acrylic can be laser cut into interesting shapes.
Concrete
- Concrete is durable, affordable and can be molded into custom designs.
- Use concrete sealant and anti-graffiti coatings to protect the surface.
- Concrete engraving allows for personalized messages and graphics.
Choose the Right Paints/Coatings
For wood, metal and some plastic signs, protect them further by applying the right outdoor-grade coatings:
- Primer adheres to the surface and provides a base for paint. Use exterior metal or wood primer.
- Paints like acrylic latex and automotive enamels are waterproof and UV-resistant.
- Clear finishes like polyurethane help seal and protect painted signs.
- Anti-graffiti coatings can be applied to deter vandalism on concrete or other porous signs.
Always read the label to ensure any paints, primers or coatings are formulated for exterior use.
Design an Eye-Catching Sign
Once you’ve chosen suitable materials, it’s time for the fun part – designing the sign!
- Keep wording short, simple and bold for maximum visibility and impact.
- Use large font sizes depending on viewing distance. Highway signs use fonts over 10 inches tall!
- Contrasting colors make signs pop. Black and white is always a high-contrast pairing.
- Include easily recognizable logos and graphics when relevant.
- LED lights can be incorporated to make signs visible at night.
- Illustrations and symbols help convey messages quickly to viewers.
Play around with sign shape, text layouts, and visuals to find a design that achieves your purpose in a creative way.
Use Proper Text Layout Principles
Follow typography best practices when formatting sign text for clarity and visual appeal:
- Align text to the left. Left-aligned text is easiest to read.
- Use title case or all caps for headings. Sentences and longer text should be in sentence case.
- Add generous spacing between lines and between characters. Crowded letters are hard to decipher.
- Keep line length short – about 5 to 8 words per line. Avoid wrapping text around shapes.
- Make lettering and lines straight and evenly spaced. Use alignment guides.
- Choose simple, sans serif font styles like Arial that are easy to read from a distance.
Add Protective Coatings and Finishes
The right coatings will keep your signs looking great for years.
- Clear coatings like polyurethane provide a protective top layer over painted signs. Use exterior grade.
- UV inhibitors in clear finishes prevent fading and sun damage.
- Graffiti-resistant coatings repel paints and markers on sign faces.
- Lamination with vinyl wraps adds a transparent weatherproof barrier to paper signs and posters.
- Varnish brings out rich colors and provides waterproofing for wood signs.
- Sealers for concrete signs prevent moisture damage and make cleaning easier.
Apply finishes per manufacturer instructions. Reapply protective coatings periodically as needed.
Install Signs Properly
Careful installation ensures your signs stay securely in place:
- Set posts deeply into concrete foundations for stability. Brace posts on signs over 8 feet tall.
- Use corrosion resistant or galvanized hardware. Stainless steel and exterior-grade screws are best.
- Attach sign backing securely to posts using several bolts and washers.
- Place signs at a readable height and angle. Tilt slightly downward for easy viewing.
- Position signs to avoid blocking lines of sight for traffic and pedestrians.
- Make signs visible but don’t obstruct or distract drivers. Follow local sign codes.
- Illuminate parking lot signs and signs meant for night viewing.
Checking signs periodically for damage and making repairs quickly will keep them looking their best.
Outdoor Sign Material Options
When making outdoor signs, carefully choose materials that can withstand the elements in your area. Here are some of the most popular options:
Wood
- Cedar: Naturally weather-resistant softwood. Has distinctive reddish color.
- Redwood: Dense softwood with natural oils that resist moisture. Reddish brown tones.
- Exterior plywood: Look for marine-grade or use medium-density overlay (MDO) plywood.
- Avoid: Unsealed pine boards warp easily outdoors.
Plastics
- PVC: Rigid foam PVC sheets are lightweight and very weather durable.
- Polycarbonate: Shatter-resistant, transparent option for backlit signs.
- Acrylic: Hard plastic sheets that can be laser-cut into shapes.
- Coroplast: Made of corrugated plastic laminated between flat plastic faces.
Metals
- Aluminum: Extremely corrosion resistant. Can be cut into custom shapes.
- Galvanized steel: Low carbon steel with a zinc coating to prevent rusting.
- Stainless steel: Most durable option but also the most expensive. Won’t corrode.
Concrete
- Pre-cast concrete: Molded wet concrete into forms.
- Poured concrete: Construct permanent forms and pour concrete on-site.
- Concrete masonry units: Stack concrete blocks and mortar together.
Paints and Finishes
- Primers, paints, polyurethane: Form protective barriers against weathering.
- Vinyl wraps: Large vinyl decals can customize and protect sign substrates.
- Varnish: Provides a clear finish for wood signs that repels water.
- Concrete sealers: Protect porous concrete from moisture damage.
FAQs About Making Outdoor Signs
How do I make wood signs waterproof?
- Use naturally weather-resistant wood like cedar or redwood. Avoid standard pine boards.
- Prime boards with exterior oil-based primer before painting.
- Apply at least two coats of exterior-grade paint or enamel.
- Seal painted signs with exterior grade polyurethane.
- Refresh paint and sealant every 2-3 years.
What kind of paint should I use on outdoor signs?
Exterior grade acrylic latex and automotive paints are good choices. Look for paints specifically formulated for outdoor use on metal, wood, concrete etc. Oil-based alkyd enamels also provide good water resistance.
How do you laminate signs to make them weatherproof?
Vinyl wraps and laminates provide weather protection for paper signs. Clean the substrate, apply vinyl adhesive to the sign face, lay the sign on the vinyl, smooth gently to avoid bubbles and trim off excess vinyl from the edges with an exacto knife. Heat can also help the vinyl conform to the sign face.
What material is best for large outdoor signs?
Durable, weatherproof materials in sheets are good for large signs: marine plywood, aluminum composite panels, PVC foam boards, steel, and pre-cast concrete. Use stainless steel hardware and mount securely to a sturdy structure.
How deep should I set a 4×4 wood sign post?
For freestanding wooden sign posts up to 8 feet tall, dig holes 12-18 inches deep and about three times the width of the post. Tamp down gravel or crushed rock in the bottom of the hole for drainage before setting the 4×4 post. Backfill with concrete around the post.
How do I prevent rust on outdoor metal signs?
Choose metals that resist corrosion like aluminum, galvanized or stainless steel. Apply rust-inhibiting primer and paint made for metal. Avoid exposing bare steel. Periodically touch up scratched paint to prevent rust. Clear coatings add extra protection.
Key Takeaways on Creating Durable Outdoor Signs
- Select weatherproof, durable sign materials suitable for long-term outdoor exposure. Wood, metals, plastic, and concrete are common choices.
- Protect signs with exterior-grade paints, finishes, and laminates. UV-resistant clear coats help prevent fading. Reapply as needed.
- Design visually impactful, easy to read signs. Use short text, bold fonts, high contrast colors, and recognizable graphics.
- Follow typography best practices for optimal legibility. Left align text, use title case headers, and generous spacing.
- Install signs securely on sturdy posts or structures. Position at readable heights without obstructing pedestrians or traffic.
- Check signs regularly for damage and make repairs quickly to maximize their lifespan. With the right materials and care, outdoor signs can last for many years.