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.
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...
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 Mt. Washington Tavern, a newly renovated restaurant in Mount Washington just north of Baltimore. 23 karat gold leaf is applied...
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...
Marine Artist Howard Rogers Sign Carving
Howard Rogers, an artist by trade Howard L. Rogers is a marine artist, illustrator, woodcarver and cabinet-maker, with over 50 years of experience. From 1960 to 1976, Howard trained at Her Majesties Dockyard in Chatham, England. In 1963 he won the city & guilds of...
Custom Life Ring Lettering
Designs & Signs created this Sites Unseen life ring for a luxury yacht in St. Petersburg, FL. We use avery metallic gold vinyl for the primary layer. The application of the black lettering over the gold creates the gold outline effect. The gold compass in the...
Custom Lifesaver Ring by Designs and Signs
Designs and Signs' most original custom lifesaver ring Breaking Chad? Designs & Signs has made another great looking custom lifesaver ring. Breaking Bad is a critically acclaimed series which obvisouly inspired the owner of this new life ring. First, we clean the...
Commercial Vehicle Lettering Requirements
What should you do to proceed with Federal Commercial Vehicle Lettering Mark both sides of your vehicle with the following information according to generally accepted commercial vehicle lettering requirements Vehicles must show the name of the company operating the...
Nautical Theme Entrance Sign at Herald Harbor
Nautical Theme Entrance Sign handmade Here's another eye catching nautical theme entrance sign made by Designs & Signs, LLC. The custom design of the new sign is very similar to the old sign, which was damaged in a car accident and had to be removed. We used...
Gold Leaf House Numbers – 1363
Gold Leaf House Numbers - How to apply gold leaf to glass Using gold leaf to create gold leaf house numbers has been a practice used by sign makers for centuries. 'Reverse Gilding on Glass' and 'Verre Eglomise' are other terms which define this delicate process. The...
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Contact us today for a quote and get ready to stand out!
We look forward to working for you!