How our signs are made

Find out more about the traditional, handmaking process that makes each and every 1894 Sign Co sign extra special.

End to end, each product takes on average 4 hours to manufacture in its 6 part process.

Part One – the raw aluminium is pressed using, in some cases, digit dies that are over 80 years old.

Part Two – the raw aluminium is chemically cleaned in an alkali solution to remove dirt and grease, then rinsed in water before soaking in a bath of solution which prepares the surface for painting and gives corrosion protection.

Part Three – the base coat is applied to the aluminium sign first, which is the digit colour. All paints are stoved enamel paint that are hand sprayed on to the sign – then baked for 30 minutes on racks in a 125°c oven.

Part Four – The sign is sprayed a second time with the chosen background colour – this is then left to ‘flash off’.

Part Five – Using a combination of thinners, the top layer of paint is removed over the digits exposing the coloured lettering from the base coat used.

Part Six – Final bake at 125°c for 30mins and then your sign is left to cool before posting.