Custom Signs
Sign Boards Chicago
Flat panel signage printed and finished for the job: wall mounted, post mounted or fixed to a fascia. The sensible answer when illumination is not needed, not allowed, or not in the budget.
- Aluminum, ACM or PVC
- UV-stable print
- Wall, post or fascia mount
- Licensed Chicago sign contractor
- Built in our own shop
- Permits and drawings handled
- One team from quote to install
The problem
When a simple board is the right answer
What customers tell us before we start, and what we do about it.
What usually goes wrong
- You need signage now and a lit sign means a permit process you cannot wait for.
- The code or the landlord does not allow illumination at this position.
- The budget has to cover several signs across a site, not one impressive one.
How SignFreaks handles it
- A properly specified panel: the right substrate, a UV-stable print and an edge detail that will not delaminate.
- A material and thickness chosen for where it is going, rather than the cheapest sheet that fits.
- A consistent format across multiple signs, so a set of simple boards still looks like a considered scheme.
What you get
Substrates we use
The parts that matter, and why each one is specified the way it is.
Aluminum composite
Two aluminum skins over a solid core. Flat, rigid, weather-stable and the default for most exterior boards.
Solid aluminum
Heavier and more durable where a sign is exposed to knocks, or where a thicker edge is wanted.
PVC
Light and economical, best kept to interior or sheltered positions, since it can bow in full sun.
HDU
High-density urethane, carved or routed, for a dimensional look without the maintenance of timber.
Print and finish
UV-stable inks with a laminate over the top, which is what determines how long the colors hold outdoors.
Mounting
Direct to the wall, on standoffs, or on posts, with fixings appropriate to the substrate and the wall.
Compare
Choosing a substrate
Where each one belongs.
| Material | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum composite | Most exterior wall and fascia signs | Edges need finishing properly or they show |
| Solid aluminum | Exposed positions, post-mounted signs | Heavier, so fixings matter more |
| PVC | Interior and sheltered exterior | Can bow in direct sun over time |
| HDU | Carved and dimensional work | Needs a good paint system to last |
| Acrylic | Interior panels and directories | Not ideal for large exterior panels |
Swipe to see the full table.
Approvals
Permits and what to expect
The part of the job most likely to move your timeline.
Permanent exterior boards still need a sign permit in most jurisdictions — being unlit does not exempt them. What it does do is simplify the drawings, since there is no electrical to show, and that often makes the review quicker. Post-mounted signs bring in setback and sight-line rules the same way a monument sign does.
We handle the drawings and the filing as part of the job. There is more detail on our sign permit page.
Our work
Projects we have built
Real installations, photographed on site.
Get a real number for your sign boards
Send a photo, a rough size and your deadline. You get a written quote with line items, not a range and not a guess.
Who uses it
Industries we build this for
The requirements change with the building. These pages go into how.
Commercial Businesses
Learn moreSchools
Learn moreGovernment Buildings
Learn more
Coverage
Where we work
The City of Chicago and more than 150 suburbs, from three by-appointment offices. Every village writes its own sign code, so we check yours before we design.
Budget
What moves the price
Roughly in the order they matter.
We do not publish price lists, because a number without your size, site and deadline attached would be fiction. Give us those three and you get a real quote.
- Panel size and substrate.
- Single or double sided, which matters for post-mounted signs.
- Print coverage and whether a protective laminate is specified.
- Mounting method and what the wall or ground is.
- Quantity, since a set of signs printed together costs far less per sign.
- Any posts or frames, and their foundations.
Questions
Questions we get asked
Call (872) 250-4743, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Questions we get asked
How long will an outdoor printed board last?
With UV-stable ink and a laminate, a well-made board holds up outdoors for years, with the print fading gradually rather than failing suddenly. South-facing signs in full sun fade fastest. We specify the laminate for the exposure rather than using one for everything.
Do I still need a permit for an unlit sign?
Usually yes. Most ordinances regulate permanent signs by area and position, not by whether they light up. The absence of electrical simplifies the drawings and often shortens the review, but it rarely removes the permit.
Can a board be made to look more substantial?
Yes. Mounting on standoffs so it floats off the wall, using a thicker substrate, or adding a returned edge all change the perception considerably for modest money. A flat panel screwed flat to a wall is what looks cheap, not the material itself.
What about temporary signage?
For short-term use, printed banners are usually the better answer and we make those too. A board is worth it when the sign is staying put; temporary sign regulations are also separate in most municipalities, and often time-limited.
Can you match a set of existing signs?
Generally, yes — we can match color, format and mounting to what is already installed. Send a photograph with something in it for scale, and the dimensions if you have them.
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