Custom Signs – Routed Monument Sign for Park Village in Tampa Bay, FL
Exterior Monument refacing for Park Village Apartment Homes
Park Village Apartment Homes complex was being revamped and turned into a more upscale community. For this reason, it was very important to change the main entrance sign, where their customers’ and visitors’ first impressions happen.
Their community had a need to renew their existing monument and routed sign. It was looking old and outdated, requiring an urgent face lift.
Old monument look
The monument was redesigned and rebuilt without structural changes, so a need for a new sign permit was avoided.
The Design Process
Design work
As we have assisted this customer with previous projects before, it all started with new a phone call from them and some ideas sent via email. We then helped them define the new monument design and created a proposal for the signage that was going to be applied on its face.
After some iterations, the design was approved and we were ready to move forward.
Fine-tuning the Project
Monument rebuilt completed
Measurements taken
Once the monument reconstruction was complete, we visited the location to have exact measurements taken and to check the brown and beige colors on their existing signage, so we could match them on the new custom sign.
Existing signs analysis
We then adapted the design to the wall’s final size and defined the correct colors to be used, so we could have the paint colors ordered.
Color matching
Manufacturing the Routed Sign
Back to our facility, we finalized the artwork in Adobe Illustrator and imported it into VCarve Pro. In VCarve, we define how the plaque is going to be cut. Depending on the material (in this case, 15# HDU or High Density Urethane for exterior use), we change cut settings, such as spindle’s speed and how fast the cut will be done, as well as cut depth and number of passes the machine will do to carve the sign.
CNC Router carving
Due to the precision required to route certain elements on this specific sign, we utilized a combination of different router bit sizes: 1/2” for the clear background and 1/16” for the detailed elements (such as the “swirl” components). Details were so fine that we even did some hand-carving in some areas to finalize.
Painting the Sign
Painting was done manually, as we typically do. First, we use primer with our paint gun to cover the entire sign. Then, again with the paint gun, we painted the entire background brown.
Background painted brown
Next, we use a fine paint roller for the letter faces and, for this sign, we even used a thin paintbrush to reach some of the smaller areas.
Background details
Installation Process
Paint done
Once the paint was dry, we pre-drilled the hanging holes and drew an installation pattern on paper to facilitate the install. We hung the template on the monument wall and made sure that the sign was being aligned correctly and, most importantly, leveled right to match the monument lines so it would look straight.
With the template still on the wall, we drilled the monument through the marked holes and installed wall anchors.
The last step was easy: we screw the monument onto the wall and covered the screws with special caps, so they wouldn’t be noticeable.
The end result was outstanding: customer is thrilled and we are super proud of the end result!
Outdoor routed monument sign for Park Village
Call us at Signs Insight for a free consultation and a quote and let us know how we can help: 813-523-3128. We are specialized in custom signs and graphics.
