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Business signs have come a long way since their humble beginnings. What started as simple drawings on cave walls has evolved into a wide range of customizable options for businesses of all types and sizes. Over the years, materials and tools have changed from stone, terracotta, wood and wrought iron to modern options like plastic. Despite these advancements, the core purpose of signage design has remained the same: to create a strong brand identity, stand out from the competition and clearly communicate products and services. Sign-making has always been necessary for businesses and today’s blog will showcase this evolution. We’ll explore the rich history of business signage and how Creative SignWorks has adapted to these changes by offering both traditional and modern signage solutions.

 

Sign Making Through Time: From the Stone Age to Today

The First Known Examples of Sign Making

The earliest signs date back to the Paleolithic era, around 40,000 to 45,000 years ago. While these signs were very different from what we see today, they were still used to communicate important information. Early humans drew symbols on cave walls to show that they had goods to trade or barter. This practice, known as symbolic advertising, used simple graphics to represent things like hunted animals, pots and arrows. By 800-500 BC, Ancient Rome and Greece had developed the first examples of business signage. The Greeks used logos to help illiterate citizens understand what was being offered. Symbols such as the staff of Hermes for health & medicine and the goddess Demeter for grain & bread are still recognizable today. In Ancient Rome, street signs made of brick, wood and marble became common. Similarly, Ancient Egyptians used painted and carved symbols on materials like terracotta, stone, brick and wood to advertise their goods and services in marketplaces, temples and public centres.

The pre-19^th century is often considered the golden age of signage design and business logos. Artisans began using unique symbols to distinguish themselves from others, often displayed on poles and hanging boards. Since literacy was low at the time, symbols were more common than written text. By the 14^th century, English law required innkeepers and landlords to display signs. In 1389, King Richard II mandated that all taverns and ale houses post outdoor signs so that they could be easily identified by passing inspectors. As cities grew, so did trade and the need for more custom signs. The use of signs expanded to various commercial establishments. English laws required all businesses to have signs made of carved wood, ornamental wrought iron and bright paint. Over time, signs evolved from merely indicating locations to advertising products and services. One of the earliest examples of business advertising was a poster for Jinan Liu’s Fine Needle Shop in Ancient China. By 1700, most businesses had at least one sign for advertising. Custom signs became more artistic, featuring rich colours and high-quality designs, with some even including gold foiling. However, as signs grew larger and heavier – sometimes over 100 pounds – accidents became frequent. To address this, King Charles II banned hanging outdoor signs and introduced signage regulations, marking the beginnings of hand-painted storefront custom signs.

The Modern History of Sign Making

The 1800s brought lighting innovations that transformed businesses and signage. With the introduction of gas and electric lighting, streets and public spaces became illuminated at night, allowing businesses to advertise after dark. This led to bigger, brighter signs. Early adopters of lit signage included casinos and movie theatres, which used gas-powered lights. In 1879, the invention of the light bulb made electric signs possible, offering a safer alternative to gas lighting and encouraging more businesses to use illuminated signs. By the 1920s, neon signs became popular, temporarily bringing gas lighting back to the forefront. However, due to rampant safety concerns like fires and accidents, businesses soon returned to electric lighting, which was more cost-effective to maintain. Around the same time, porcelain signs, also known as enamel signs, were introduced in the U.S. These signs, born in Germany in the 1890s, became a common way to promote brands and products in stores by the 1900s. Mass-produced through silkscreen and lithographic printing, porcelain signs reflected the commercial printing era of the 1930s.

After World War II, the need for fast, affordable signage design grew, giving rise to water-resistant banners and inflatable signs. In 1958, lightweight and durable adhesive vinyl film was introduced, providing a practical solution. By the 1980s, digital vinyl cutting machines enabled businesses to create complex logos and text for application on walls and windows quickly. Neon and fluorescent lights were also used to create signs like acrylic banners, flags and A-frame displays. The post-war era saw an increase in plastics and fluorescent lighting, which led to increased competition in the sign-making market. As businesses expanded into larger corporations, demand for custom signs grew, resulting in bigger, more attention-grabbing displays. By 1900, the first 24-sheet billboard was unveiled, revolutionizing roadside signage. In the 1980s and ‘90s, one of the first examples of digital signage emerged when creative business owners began using TVs in storefront windows to display VHS and soon after DVD advertisements. Sign companies soon capitalized on this idea, advancing digital signage. The early 2000s also saw the rise of industrial UV printing and dye sublimation, paving the way for the digital signs and graphics commonly used today.

Sign Making in the 21^st Century – Options for Today’s Business Owners

The rise of large-format printing and digital technology has made sign production more customizable than ever before. Business owners now have a wide range of materials and design options to choose from. With modern printers and material cutters, creating flat and 3D signs is precise and efficient. The variety of materials, including PVC plastic, cedar wood and vinyl, allows businesses to tailor their signs to their specific needs. Business owners can even select custom colours, whether through paint or printing ink. Illuminated signs, like light boxes and reverse channel letters, offer round-the-clock visibility with energy-saving LED bulbs, providing bright, clean light. Custom signs are also no longer limited to outdoor use – they can be applied to company vehicles and used inside various businesses and organizations. Beyond businesses, signs are useful for events, wayfinding and even interior décor. Today’s custom signs help both businesses and homeowners make a lasting impression, no matter where they’re placed.

 

Nobody Does Business Signage Like Creative SignWorks

Creative SignWorks combines both modern and traditional signage techniques to offer business owners across the Niagara Region the best of both worlds. We are one of the few companies that still create old-school carved and sandblasted signage designs, while also offering a wide range of modern signage solutions, including illuminated and non-illuminated signs, LED message boards, interior signage and vehicle graphics. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of hand-painted, carved and sandblasted signs or prefer cutting-edge computer design and digitally reproduced vinyl graphics, we bring over 20 years of experience to craft your custom sign. Contact us today to start designing your business signage.