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When you think of a sign shop, you might picture a place that makes banners, storefront signs, and vehicle graphics. And while we do all of those things at Port City Signs & Graphics, we also take on much larger and more complex projects, from custom architectural features to complete signage packages for major developments.

As a full-service custom sign company based in Wilmington, NC, we have the people, equipment, and experience to handle projects of all sizes, including those that require some creative problem-solving. We've expanded our capabilities to serve clients throughout the region while keeping the personal relationships, local knowledge, and attention to detail you'd expect from your neighbors down the street.

Custom Sign Fabrication for Projects Beyond Traditional Signage

Our fabrication capabilities extend well beyond the signs most people are familiar with. We also produce custom architectural features and specialty signage that involve a wide range of materials, construction techniques, and fabrication methods.

When Wilmington's historic Trust Building was being restored, the contractor turned to us for our CNC fabrication capabilities to recreate intricate architectural details. Working with the project's architect, we produced large, detailed panels from high-density urethane (HDU), helping restore some of the character that made the building a recognizable downtown landmark.

At The Oceaneer Hotel in Carolina Beach, the challenge was different. The new roadside sign required a circular illuminated aluminum cabinet that had to work with an existing sign structure. Our fabrication team built a custom welding jig to get the shape and construction just right.

Both projects demonstrate what our experienced fabricators, welders, designers, and installers can accomplish together.

One Commercial Sign Company for an Entire Development

We work with developers and general contractors to plan, produce, and install signage for every stage of a development. From temporary construction signs to permanent monument and wayfinding signs, we coordinate with project teams to keep signage on schedule as construction progresses.

Caviness & Cates is one of the developers we've worked with for years, providing construction signs, monument signs, wayfinding, ADA signage, and branded interior graphics for residential communities.

Each development brings its own challenges. At The Tides of Shallotte, we needed to install an illuminated lobby sign on a brittle shell tabby wall. Our team coordinated the wiring and mounting hardware before the wall was finished to avoid damaging the surface.

At Waterford, we gave an aging monument sign a new appearance using a custom printed aluminum panel rather than rebuilding the entire structure.

That's part of being a full-service sign company. We help clients manage the signage needs and unexpected challenges that come with larger projects.

Commercial Signage Services Beyond Manufacturing

For larger commercial signage projects, there's more to consider than designing and manufacturing signs. We work with clients, architects, and contractors to plan signage systems, address installation challenges, and navigate local regulations and permitting requirements.

When MedNorth Health Center expanded its Wilmington campus, we worked with the construction and design teams to develop a signage system that included exterior building signs, interior wayfinding, ADA-compliant room identification, and evacuation maps. We also worked directly with the City of Wilmington on MedNorth's behalf to secure approval for adjustments to the exterior sign sizes.

By coordinating these details, we make the process easier for clients while helping ensure their signage meets the project's requirements.

Having the Tools and the Team to Make Custom Signs Work

Some custom signs are especially challenging to produce because of unusual shapes, intricate details, or specialized materials. With experienced designers, fabricators, and production specialists working together under one roof, we have the expertise and equipment to handle the process in-house.

We've put those capabilities to work on projects where even small design details required creative solutions. When Dimock, Weinberg & Cherry Pediatric Dentistry needed an illuminated exterior sign, the thin tails in the fish logo were difficult to illuminate. Our team figured out how to light those delicate details while preserving the original design.

Other projects require an entirely different approach. When UNCW's Office of Student Affairs wanted a five-foot surfboard sign, finding an actual surfboard that met the requirements wasn't practical. Instead, we fabricated one from HDU, shaped it, tested the production process, and used our swissQprint Nyala UV-LED flatbed printer to print the artwork directly onto the surface.

That printer has expanded our in-house capabilities, allowing us to print directly onto aluminum, acrylic, wood, PVC, and other materials for custom signs and specialty projects.

Handling more of the design, fabrication, and production process ourselves gives us greater control over quality and timelines, makes adjustments easier, and reduces reliance on outside vendors. For clients, that means fewer delays, less coordination, and one team they can count on throughout the project.

Full-Service Custom Signs, Local Service

Port City Signs & Graphics has grown well beyond what many people picture when they hear "sign shop." Today, we have the equipment, skilled team, and experience to handle everything from individual custom signs to complex commercial signage packages.

But as our capabilities have grown, our approach to working with clients hasn't changed. We still believe in getting to know the people we work with, paying attention to the details, and finding practical ways to get the job done.

Do you have a signage project in mind? Reach out to us today! We'd love to hear what you're working on and talk about how we can help.