Tailor made signs
We manufacture sandblasted signs, carved signs, and gold leaf signs. We offer on-site architectural gilding and glass gilding services for restaurants, specialty shops, and residential buildings in Annapolis and Washington, DC.
What We Do
We make a wide variety of signs and services for local property management companies and real estate companies. We install 4×8 alumalite leasing signs with decorative pvc posts and caps.
Design
We design your customized sign.
Manufacture
We handcraft our products.
Install
We install our products at your place.
Our History
Designs & Signs was founded in 1976 by Brendon J. Brandon. Mr. Brandon has a lifetime of sign make experience, working in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, and the United States. He is past President of the International Society of Gilders, and for six years he was head editor of it’s magazine, “The Gilders Tip”. He has taught gilding and sign making classes for The Smithsonian Institute, The Society of Gilders, The International Sign Association, and The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
From The Portfolio
Follow us while we work.
Architectural Mural – EJ Codd Co
Historical architectural mural in the Baltimore City neighborhood of Fells Point, installed by Designs & Signs. Painted by hand. For this mural we use a technique called "cutting in". First the wall is painted with white block filler. After that we apply the...
Carved Stone Lettering – WWII Memorial
Carved stone lettering in granite at The World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Kevin handles all of our sandblasting projects. He has more than thirty years of carving experience.. Designs & Signs has carved and gilded various monuments and memorials in...
Gold Leaf Boat Name – Bessy
Brendon Brandon applies a gold leaf boat name to Bessy, a fine wooden boat designed and manufactured by Mast and Mallet Boatworks in Edgewater, Maryland. First the name and port are applied to the transom with charcoal powder and a pounce pattern. Size is then brushed...
Architectural Mural – Bond Street Wharf
Another beautiful architectural mural. Thank you Bond Street Wharf! We love painting murals and if I'm not mistaken this is the largest hand painted mural in North America. We had a few good friends assisting us on this project. Brendon Brandon, Kevin Nick and Albert...
Architectural Gilding – Navy Stadium
Architectural Gilding at The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. Designs & Signs applied traditional gold leaf to carved monument letters. These photos show both phases of a typical surface gilding project. First size is applied to the...
Community Entrance Sign Mariners Cover
Community entrance sign for Mariners Cove, a waterfront community is West Annapolis. The letters are brushed aluminum pin mounted into cedar planks. The posts are treated marine pilings wrapped with decorative ropes and protected with copper caps. Sturdy Installation...
Glass Gilding – The Mt Washington Tavern
Glass Gilding at Mt. Washington Tavern in North Baltimore. Brendon Brandon applies backup paint with a lettering brush. Glass gilding at The Washington Tavern, a newly renovated restaurant in Mount Washington just north of Baltimore. 23 karat gold leaf is applied to...
Gold Leaf Yacht Lettering – Audrey
Beautiful hand-made boat names by Designs & Signs. We install gold leaf yacht lettering with traditional materials and techniques. 23 karat XX double leaf! Obiously this pounce pattern is not in the right place yet. It will have to be leveled properly before the...
Carved Teak Quarterboards – Mallard
These beautiful carved teak quarterboards are shaped and carved by hand. We use only the finest 23 karat XX Gold Leaf. We clean the boards first with teak cleaner to release the oils before varnish. We use Awlgip Awlspar OM3131 Varnish. Amazing Detail - Hand-Carved...
Quarterboard Boat Signs – Half Shell
Boat Signs Solomons Island Quarterboard Boat Signs hand-made by Designs & Signs for Half Shell Adventures, LLC - 14624 Solomons Island Road South, Solomons, MD. Our teak is selected for the best grain and consistency. Grain is important for appearance and...
Sandblasted Cedar Sign Cardinal Plaza Shell
Cedar Signs A sandblasted cedar sign for Cardinal Plaza Shell. We were contacted by the owners of Cardinal Plaza Shell with request to build a custom cedar sign. The custom layout was created by Travis Brandon to the specifications provided by our customer. The design...
Quarterboards With Gold Leaf Lettering
Quarterboards with gold leaf lettering and hand-painted black outline. Transom boards to match! The boards are shaped from teak which we select for the best grain possible. We buy teak and mahogany from Exotic Lumber in Annapolis. Drawings are provided for review...
Gold Leaf Sign – Josephine Butler Parks
Gold Leaf Sign - A sandblasted sign with 23 karat gold leaf finish. Brendon Brandon poses with a shovel? The faux stone frame is actually made of HDU, SignFoam... Another Classy GOLD LEAF SIGN... A sandblasted HDU sign finished with gold leaf, and installed at The...
Community Entrance Sign Holly Hill Harbor
Entrance Sign Holly Hill Harbor made by Designs & Signs. This sign is sandblasted HDU. We also make routed HDU signs and sandblasted cedar signs. The design for this sign was provided to us by the home owners association. A sandblasted community entrance sign at...
Unique Boat Graphics – Educat
Unique Boat Graphics - Educat - Designs and installed by Travis Brandon at Designs & Signs in Edgewater, MD. First I will usually work by hand with a sharpie to create the line art needed for a custom graphic, in this case a "smart cat". I'm not a cat person but I...
Get in touch to stand out!
Contact us today for a quote and get ready to stand out!
We look forward to working for you!