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Sandblasted Cedar Signs.
Some storefronts don't want a lit channel letter — they want carved wood or HDU foam with deep relief lettering, painted in 1-Shot enamel, sealed against weather. Historic districts, bed-and-breakfasts, wineries, professional services, and artisan businesses all reach for this look because it signals permanence, craftsmanship, and character. No LEDs, no plastic: just material and hand-finished paint.
- Starts at: $385 minimum
- Best for: Historic districts, B&Bs, wineries, professional services
- Warranty: 2-year fabrication (weather is its friend)
Watch · Sandblasted Cedar
From cedar blank to carved relief.
A narrated walkthrough of a sandblasted-cedar sign — masking from artwork, the sandblast pass that cuts the background away, hand-painting the relief in 1-Shot enamel, and sealing the finished sign with a marine-grade UV-stable topcoat. This is the workflow that powers historic-district, B&B, and winery signage.
- Western Red Cedar or HDU foam substrate
- Sandblasted relief 3/8″ to 3/4″ deep
- 1-Shot enamel, 42 colors, marine topcoat
How it's built
Cedar or Hdu foam, sandblasted relief, 1-Shot enamel, marine sealant.
Every sandblasted sign starts with a substrate — either Western Red Cedar (natural grain that weathers beautifully) or HDU foam (dense, dimensionally stable, no splitting). Your artwork is plotted onto the surface and a sandblasting nozzle cuts the background down, leaving the letters and graphics in raised relief. The relief is then hand-painted with 1-Shot enamel in any of 42 colors, and the whole sign is finished with a marine-grade UV-stable topcoat that protects against sun, rain, and salt air.
Western Red Cedar or Hdu foam
Cedar for natural wood grain and outdoor aging character. HDU 15lb or 30lb foam for dimensional stability, no splitting, lighter weight, and easier wall mounting.
Sandblasted from template
A precision mask is plotted from your artwork and applied to the substrate. High-pressure sand cutting removes the background, leaving letters and graphics in raised relief — typically 3/8″ to 3/4″ depth.
42 colors, hand-applied
Sign-grade 1-Shot oil-based enamel. Formulated for outdoor signage, UV-resistant, deep gloss that stays vibrant. Available in 42 stock colors; custom mix available on request.
Marine-grade Uv-stable topcoat
Two-part marine topcoat sealed over the entire sign surface. Protects paint and substrate from moisture, UV, and temperature swings. Dramatically extends the life of both cedar and HDU.
Colors & finishes
42 enamel colors, two substrates, six starter shapes.
Color selection for sandblasted signs is simpler than channel letters — no faces, no trim caps. You pick your substrate, your background color, your letter/graphic color, and an optional border style. Up to three text lines are supported. Six starter shape templates (T01–T08) are available at no charge; custom silhouettes are quoted per project.
Substrate — two options
- Western Red Cedar — Natural grain, ages to a silver-gray patina if left unsealed. Seal with marine topcoat to preserve the painted finish. Slight weight variation by board.
- Hdu Foam (15 lb standard / 30 lb premium) — Dense polyurethane foam. Dimensionally stable, no splitting or checking. Ideal for larger formats and wall-mount applications. 30lb adds $0.90/sqin.
1-Shot enamel — 42 colors
The full 1-Shot catalog is available. Most customers choose 2–3 colors: background, letter face, and border. Sample favorites below — request a full color card at checkout.
Design path — three options
- Diy Template (free) — Choose from 6 starter shapes (T01–T08), pick your fonts, type up to 3 text lines. Our system generates the sandblast mask. Best for simple word signs.
- Ai Designer ($14) — Prompt our AI with your business name, vibe, and colors. It generates a custom layout and shape suggestion for your approval before production.
- Live Designer ($99) — Work 1-on-1 with our sign design team. Custom artwork, custom silhouette, illustrated elements. Typical turnaround 3 business days for approved design.
Sizes & pricing
Priced per inch of sign height.
Sandblasted sign pricing is based on the longest dimension (height for portrait, width for landscape), multiplied by the per-inch rate. Two-sided signs add an 85% premium for the second face (labor and substrate, not just print). Thickness options affect material cost — 1.5″ is standard, 2.5″ is the premium dimensional look.
| Spec | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Height range | 12″ to 60″ | Most B&B and inn signs run 24″–36″. Professional services often go 18″–24″. |
| Thickness | 1.5″ standard, 2.5″ premium | 2.5″ adds significant visual depth and is more impressive close-up. |
| Rate per inch | $22.00/in (height) | A 24″ sign starts at $528 before two-sided or premium thickness upcharges. |
| Two-sided | × 1.85 multiplier | Hanging bracket signs, post-mounted signs visible from both sides. |
| Minimum order | $385 | Most complete installs run $650–$2,200. |
Mounting
Three traditional mounting methods.
Sandblasted signs look best with mounting hardware that matches the sign's character — wrought iron brackets for traditional, simple lag bolts for clean modern installs, or wooden posts for yard signs and professional services. We supply an installation template and specify the hardware with every order.
Hanging bracket
Two-sided sign hangs from a decorative wrought iron or powder-coated steel bracket. Classic B&B and inn look. Bracket is included; wall anchor hardware is customer-supplied or installer-provided per local code.
Direct wall mount
Sign lags flush to wall or brick. Stainless lag bolts with decorative washers. Best for single-faced signs at storefronts and professional suites. Clean, simple, no hardware visible from the front.
Post-mounted
Single or double post with a cross-arm at the top. Classic for winery entrance signs, professional services yard signs, and B&B driveway markers. Posts in wood, aluminum, or steel — customer choice.
When to pick this
Best for
- Historic districts where lit channel letters are restricted
- Bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and boutique lodging
- Wineries, distilleries, and artisan food businesses
- Professional services — attorneys, consultants, practices — where lit signage feels wrong
Skip this for
- Lit-from-inside need → try Front-Lit
- Modern architectural look → try Halo-Lit
- Multi-line marquee or full-logo sign → try Cabinet Signs
Ready to design yours?
Pick your substrate, choose a shape, type your business name, and see your carved sign rendered in seconds.