Be A Brand Customers Look up to With Blade Signs

A blade sign is a sign mounted perpendicular to a building facade so it can be seen by people approaching from either direction. Blade signs are especially effective for storefronts, restaurants, offices and businesses in walkable commercial districts.

Shopping centers commonly use pylon or monument signs, tenant panels, channel letters, blade signs, directional signs, parking signs and illuminated storefront identification. The right combination depends on property size, road visibility, tenant mix, traffic flow and the landlord’s sign criteria.

“Blade sign” and “projecting sign” are often used interchangeably for signs that extend outward from a building. A hanging sign is usually suspended beneath a bracket, while other blade signs may use a rigid panel or fabricated cabinet attached directly to a mounting structure.

Blade signs can be made as flat panels, routed signs, dimensional signs, illuminated cabinets or signs suspended from decorative brackets. Martino Signs can recommend a style based on your architecture, brand, visibility requirements and local sign regulations.

Most blade signs are double-sided because they are designed to reach pedestrians and drivers approaching from both directions. The same design can appear on each side, or the faces can contain different information when appropriate.

Yes. Blade signs can use internal LED illumination, push-through graphics, illuminated dimensional elements or external lighting. The best option depends on the sign design, nighttime visibility needs, available electrical service and local code requirements.

Exterior blade signs are commonly fabricated from aluminum, steel, acrylic, polycarbonate or high-density urethane, depending on the design. Exterior-grade paints, finishes, hardware and sealants help the sign withstand sun, rain, wind and seasonal temperature changes.

Yes. A custom blade sign can incorporate your logo, brand colors, typography and a distinctive shape while complementing the building facade. The bracket, mounting hardware, lighting and decorative details can also become part of the overall design.

The right size depends on viewing distance, traffic speed, letter size, mounting height and the amount of information displayed. A simpler design with strong contrast and limited wording is usually easier to recognize than a larger sign with crowded graphics.

Blade signs can be installed on many facade types, but the attachment method must be selected for the wall material and underlying structure. Historic properties or sensitive masonry may require specialized mounting methods and additional approval before installation.

The cost of a custom blade sign depends on its size, materials, shape, illumination, bracket design and installation conditions. Permits, engineering, electrical work and the equipment required to reach the installation area can also affect the final price.

Major cost factors include whether the sign is illuminated, the number and complexity of fabricated components, custom decorative metalwork and the strength of the mounting system. Building height, sidewalk access, electrical requirements and permit or engineering needs can also influence pricing.

Exterior blade signs generally require review for zoning and building-code compliance in Philadelphia. Illuminated signs may also require electrical permitting, while historic properties or signs projecting over public space can involve additional requirements. Martino Signs can evaluate the location and coordinate the applicable permit process.

Structural engineering may be required depending on the sign’s size, weight, projection distance, bracket design and mounting surface. The sign and attachment system must be designed to handle wind loads and transfer those forces safely into the building structure.

A blade sign should be positioned where it is visible from both directions without interfering with pedestrian clearance, doors, windows, utilities or neighboring signs. A site survey helps determine an effective mounting height and projection while accounting for the facade and local regulations.

The schedule depends on design complexity, material availability, permitting, engineering and installation access. Martino Signs can assess the site, develop the design, coordinate required approvals, fabricate the sign and plan installation to minimize disruption to the business.

Blade signs, projecting signs, monument signs, pylon signs, pole signs, cabinets, suspended signs and selected wayfinding signs may have two faces. Feasibility depends on structure, mounting, illumination, clearances, code and whether both approaches provide useful visibility.

Double-sided describes the number of visible faces, while blade or projecting describes how a sign extends from a building. Many blade signs are double sided, but freestanding monument, pylon, pole and directional signs can also have two faces.