Category Archives: CUSTOM Projects

This is the category to see a some of our more unusual and interesting projects. We use the Custom Projects Category to showcase the talent and creativity of our artisan craftspersons and to present our whimsical side.

Check Out This Custom Designed Sign Created with a Wonderful Customer

Custom Copper Verdi Sign for Blue Refuge

The Light Goes On – An Idea Emerges

“Idea” As defined by Webster; Any object apprehended, conceived, or thought of, by the mind; a notion, conception, or thought; the real object that is conceived or thought of”

We want to show off our work and allow others to get ideas for their own custom made sign or plaque.

This page is filled with personalized signs that we created that do not fit well into any other of our categories. They might have special elements such as intentionally contrasting fonts, special borders, or one-of-a-kind features. There is only one thing in common with these signs and plaques – They started with an Idea.

So here is a great idea, when you desire a sign or plaque that is a bit more unusual than you see, just email us with your thoughts and a receive a quotation faster than the light bulb to pop up in a bubble over your head.

For other custom signs please click here

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Home Owners Associations Dressing Up Their Properties with Upgraded Signage

Property Identity Sign for a Illinois Home Owner's AssociationWith some real estate values finally on the upswing,  Property Management Companies are responding to Condo Association Members and Home Owners Associations requests to upgrade properties with New Signage.

Not at all surprising since we all want to put the best face on our homes and property.

 

Private-Drive-HOA-SignOne of the best methods of increasing value and updating the property’s look is with new custom signage. Signs are important to maintaining order and add a unique focus to Home Owner’s Associations.

Property Identity Signs call attention to property and show property boundaries. Privacy signs for Condo Associations notify unwanted visitors of the policy regarding Solicitation and Trespassing.

Wayfinding Sign for Condo AssociationWayfinding Signs for HOAs  help visitors navigate the property. Informational Signage can show pool hours or advise about smoking policy. While Address Plaques identify individual units and common areas.

It would normally seem daunting to put together a total complete cohesive package of coordinated signage for a Home Owner’s Association.

Video Surveillance Signs for Condo AssociationsAssociation Members and Property Management Companies know that Atlas Signs and Plaques  makes the job easy while staying within the budget. The signs are long lasting, beautiful, and have the rich look of real metal. Visit Atlas Signs and Plaques to learn more.

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Museum Signage from Atlas Signs and Plaques

Copper finish sign for museum, library or public space

Copper Finish Museum Sign

We admit it. Sometimes we forget to think of, and show  the variety of places that utilize signage from Atlas. In this case we forgot museums.

Museum Sign

Signs for every museum use

This is even more of an oversight because several of us here can’t walk be even the smallest museum without going in for a look. It seems like every little town has at least one. The American Alliance of Museums’ website really doesn’t give a number, but a popular web site says that there are 17,500 museums in the USA. Whew! and that doesn’t even count the growing number of virtual museums out there in cyberspace.

Any of the current online catalog of signs from Atlas Signs and Plaques can be adapted to museum signage. Inside or out, Atlas Signs and Plaques give the look of foundry-cast without design limitations, pollution, or expense of that dirty stinky foundry process.

 

 

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A Special One of a Kind Owl Bracket

Introducing the One of a Kind Owl Bracket

Every sign that Atlas Signs and Plaques has ever made is one of a kind. The extensive variables in our creation process (humidity, temperature, coloring, patina, etc) all work together to ensure no two signs are created quite the same.

We love making signs here, but sometimes we just need a creative challenge—something to inspire our imagination and propel us towards the future.

So when our head designer wanted to make a bracket for hanging signs, she also wanted it to be completely unique. What she came up with was an owl, perched on a branch over the sign.

Outstanding Detail

To bring this fantasy-owl to life she whipped up a batch of a clay-like substrate, hardened it, and then applied a patina to the mold. As you can see, the results speak for themselves.

It has a great combination of fine details and overall structure. The feathers have a really awesome overlapping pattern, just like a real owl, and the slight exaggeration makes them stand out wonderfully. With two eyelets installed at the bottom of the “perch” this is the ideal bracket to hang a sign from.

The success of the owl bracket encouraged the start of a new category on the CustomASaP website featuring one-of-a-kind sign brackets for sale, including the one you see here. You can find it under “Signs, Brackets, and Posts,” or Click Here.

Not Too Cool for a Profile Shot

We will also be taking custom requests for personal sign brackets. You can contact us via email to begin an inquiry about how to create your own personal custom bracket. Because these brackets are difficult and time-consuming to make, it will take 6-8 weeks before any custom order for a bracket will be shipped. We know that seems like a long while; but we assure you that the wait is well worth the reward.

Owl be Watching

You can find our new bracket page here, complete with further details on how to order your own one of a kind bracket.

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Stopping Thieves from Stealing Bronze Plaques

Replacement plaque to stop thieves from stealing the original plaque to sell for scrapHere are some recent headlines about plaques being stolen to sell for scrap:

  • “Historic Plaques in Uptown stolen”
  • “War Memorials hit by metal theft”
  • “Bronze plaques stolen from Carmichael Memorial”
  • “Commemorative WWI bronze plaque stolen”
  • “New Haven police: Stolen bronze plaque valued at $10,000”
  • “Plaques stolen from VFW Post 6919”
  • “War Memorials being stolen for scrap in Derby and Ansonia”
  • “Stolen plaque replaced”
Closeup of the detail on a replacement bronze plaque going to Mare Island Naval Shipyard

Great Detail!

What a shame! Often the loss of these plaques are  devastating to those being honored by memorial plaques. Or, as in San Diego, the plaques can disappear from entire historic areas causing great financial hardship and loss of neighborhood identity.

We wish we really had the solution that would end the thievery of important bronze and brass plaques. But, there are ways to foil the crooks.

One solution is to utilize Historic Plaques from Atlas Signs and Plaques in the first place. The plaques have all the luster and beauty of foundry cast, but have a substrate of man-made material coated with real metal. The plaques are long lasting, look grand, and cost only a fraction of foundry cast.

Original Commemerative Plaque replaced with a bronze finish plaque

Saving the Valuable Original From Crooks

The other solution to protect existing plaques by temporarily removing the valuable plaques to a safe site until the theft subsides or better security measure are put in place. Then, have Atlas Signs and Plaques duplicate the plaque which you will mount in the same area as the original. Atlas just did this for a client. It is perfect solution in a not so perfect world.

We would love to have your comments on this subject. Just send us an email and we will likely publish your remarks.
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