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 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...
Gold Leaf
What is Gold Leaf? Gold leaf is gold that has been hammered into extremely thin sheets and is often used for gilding. In the sign making industry gold leaf is used to finish carved letters. It can also be used on glass, this technique is known as glass gilding. Gold...
Pounce Patterns
What is Pouncing? Pouncing is a technique involving the use of a pouncing wheel to transfer an image from a thin surface onto a much larger surface. Layering a sketched outline over the designated surface, the user traces the designed outline using a pounce wheel....
Boat Name Plaques – Suzannah Aqui
Every ship has a name, and yours deserves to have it shine. We at Design & Sign can provide you with personalized boat name signs and plaques. We specialize in painting gold-leaf, outlined or shaded signs for your boat. Our teak boat name plaques are hand-painted...
Custom Quarterboard Signs with Gold Leaf – Remedy
Quarterboards are handsomely carved and gilded ornamental sign boards, originally made for the ships whose names they bore. They were sometimes referred to as sternboards, the difference being the place on the ship where they were located. Many of the antique...
High Density Urethane
What is high-density urethane signs? High-Density Urethane is a strong, naturally waterproof sign material made for creating dimensional signs. HDU signs have a carved look, can feature smooth or textured backgrounds, and are available in a couple different...
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!