Are you trying to choose the right metal sign for your business or home? Whether you’re setting up an office, organizing your property, or making your space more decorative, metal signs are a smart investment. This is especially true if you’re considering brass or aluminum signs.
Metal signs have grown in popularity due to their durability, customization, and professional appearance. These custom metal signs can be used for everything from business signage and outdoor signs to decorative wall signs and engraved nameplates. Let’s get into how their versatility sets them apart so you can confidently choose the best metal for your needs!
What materials are metal signs made of?
Aluminum vs. Brass: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to custom metal signs, aluminum and brass are two of the most trusted materials in the industry. Each has its strengths, and the best option depends on where you’ll use your sign and the kind of look you want to achieve.
Aluminum Signs: Built to Last, Designed to Impress, Customizable
Aluminum metal signs are lightweight, rustproof, and strong, making them a great option for outdoor signage! Aluminum business signs are made from heavy-duty standard aluminum. This material has a professional white paint that allows for easy, colorful printing on top. They are also printed with UV-LED technology to ensure they are long-lasting for years to come.
Aluminum signs can also include a UV laminate overlay. This laminate overlay helps protect signs from UV degradation, abrasion, and moisture, helping with long-term outdoor use. Aluminum is a reliable and affordable option for outdoor signage, directional signs, and business signs.
- How long do aluminum metal signs last? 5-10 years or longer when used outdoors. Aluminum signs can potentially last longer indoors due to reduced exposure to external environmental factors such as weather, exposure to sun, etc. There’s also less wear and tear, which causes less stress on the sign’s material.
- What is the best thickness for aluminum metal signs? Thickness: 0.063″ pure aluminum.
- Features: UV-LED printed design on standard aluminum and an optional UV laminate.
- Uses: Warning sign/caution sign, no soliciting sign, do not enter sign, safety sign, and many more!
- Mounting options: Easy to mount with pre-drilled holes and rounded corners for safety.
Brass Signs: Timeless Style with a Premium Feel
Brass metal signs are corrosion resistant, durable, and offer a more professional aesthetic. These brass signs are known for their golden tone, which creates a classic look and adds prestige and elegance to any space. They are typically used in office signage, memorials, formal décor, and many other signs.
Engraved brass signs are made from heavy-duty bugle brass and are available in multiple sizes and styles, from small brass plates to large brass wall signs, some of which include oxidized engraving for extra contrast. There are 2 kinds of brass: engraved brass and printed brass.
Thick brass is used for any brass sign that is engraved (can’t be sublimated), while thin brass is used for signs that are sublimated. Thin brass can also be engraved depending on the design, but the best option is normally to sublimate. Both engraved brass and printed brass have an optional UV protectant coat for extended outdoor life as well.
- How long do brass metal signs last? 10-20 years outdoors and potentially much longer indoors due to not being exposed to outdoor conditions (which cause the sign’s wear and tear). Indoor signs typically experience less material degradation.
- What is the best thickness for brass metal signs? For engraved brass, the thickness is 0.40″, and for printed brass, the thickness is 0.20″.
- Features: Engraved brass (etched or oxidized on thick brass) and printed brass (full-color sublimated on thin brass). UV-protectant coat (optional) for extended outdoor life.
- Uses: Office nameplates, office door signs, desk nameplates, memorials, business directories, door nameplates, etc.
- Mounting options: Adhesive, screws, chain, Velcro, and more.
Aluminum vs. Brass: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Aluminum | Brass |
| Appearance: | White base, UV-LED printed design | Golden tone, engraved or printed |
| Best Use: | Outdoor, directional/safety signs | Office, decorative, memorial |
| Durability: | 5-10 years outdoors, longer indoors | 10-20 years outdoors, longer indoors |
| Cost: | Lower in cost | Higher in cost |
| Thickness: | 0.63″ pure aluminum | 0.40″ (engraved), 0.20″ (printed) |
What are the most common uses for metal signs?
Metal signs are more than functional; they’re often the first thing people notice. Whether you’re branding a business or personalizing a space, there’s a metal sign to fit every need:
- Business signage: Included but not limited to office door signs, custom storefront signs, hours of operation, reception signs, etc.
- Property signs: Address signs, building signs, house number signs, no smoking signs, directional signs, do not enter signs, private property signs, no soliciting signs, etc.
- Safety signs: Warning signs, caution signs, danger signs, do not touch signs, employee only signs, fire safety signs, etc.
- Home signs: Welcome signs, custom family name plaques, or fun décor.
- Brass plaques: Dedication plaques for memorials and historic markers.
You can create custom metal signs for your business or a personalized metal sign for your home! The possibilities are endless.
How to Choose the Right Metal Sign?
Trying to figure out which is the best metal for signage? Well, it’s important to consider where and how your sign will be used (indoors or outdoors). Aluminum is the most popular metal for both indoor and outdoor signage due to its versatility. It’s lightweight, rustproof, weatherproof, and cost-effective. All these make it ideal for long-term use. Brass is usually preferred to give a polished and elegant appearance.
The best option truly comes down to how you want the sign to look, the impression you would like for the sign to give, and which environment the sign will be used in. Choosing the right metal can help your sign be durable, effective, and long-lasting.
What is the best type of metal for outdoor use?
When it comes to deciding what the best type of metal for outdoor use can be, aluminum signs are typically the top choice for outdoor metal signage due to their superior corrosion resistance and ability to endure any external factors (like weather conditions and temperatures) without rusting. Aluminum signs are lightweight and low maintenance, making them ideal for long-term outdoor usage. While brass metal signs are traditionally used for indoor signage, they can serve well outdoors when properly sealed to prevent oxidation. Outdoor brass plaques are great to use wherever an elegant appearance is desired. They are a great option for memorial plates, dedication signs, and historic markers. However, for most outdoor signage needs, aluminum material remains the more durable solution.
How do you choose the best type of metal sign for your needs?
- Choose brass signs if you need any sort of custom business metal signage, such as for an office, lobby, memorial, or decorative wall.
- Choose custom aluminum signs if you need any sort of outdoor signage, as they are weatherproof, rust-resistant, and long-lasting.
How much do custom metal signs cost?
Aluminum is generally more cost-effective due to its lightweight nature and its simple manufacturing process. The material cost for sublimated aluminum across standard gold, silver, and white finishes range between $8 and $12 per 12×24 sheet, depending on size and style. Other shapes and pre-cut sizes (oval, crest, or 6″ x 12″ panels) can fall between this range or higher based on design.
Brass is often priced higher in cost because of the material’s higher copper content and more complex manufacturing process. Engraved brass costs range between $65 and $90 per 12″ x 24″ sheet, while plastic brass ranges between $25 and $40 per 12″ x 24″ sheet. Sublimated brass is slightly more affordable, ranging between $25 and $35 per sheet.
These are average retail prices for finished signs and don’t include pricing for labor, ink, or customization, but instead give a starting point for your metal sign cost.
Where can I order custom brass or aluminum signs?
At CustomSigns.com, we have a full range of customizable metal signs to choose from to fit your needs! Whether you need a durable aluminum sign or a classic engraved brass plate, we’ve got everything to bring your vision to life.
- Custom brass signs: Heavy-duty bugle brass engraved to your specifications and full-color sublimated brass (printed). Brass is engraved with a diamond-tip rotary engraver.
- Custom aluminum signage: Standard aluminum, UV-printed with UV-laminate (protectant coating) option, ideal for outdoor use.
Browse our full list of metal signs (aluminum and brass options) to start designing your own metal sign today!