CNC stands for computer numerical control. A CNC machine follows a digital design to cut, carve, or engrave a material with precision. In sign making, that means clean lettering and shapes cut straight from a file. Every sign still starts as its own custom design.
What CNC Is Used For
A CNC router works well on materials like HDU, giving a sign crisp edges and consistent depth. So it suits jobs where the lettering needs to be precise and repeatable. It’s especially useful for larger signs or projects with a lot of small detail. Cutting everything by hand would take far longer on jobs like those.
How We Use CNC
We use a CNC router to cut dimensional letters and shapes out of HDU. It also gives HDU a textured, sandblasted look, instead of blasting the material directly. That’s a newer approach for us, and it holds up just as well outdoors. Either way, a craftsman’s hand still checks and finishes every original piece after it comes off the router.
CNC Versus Hand Carving
CNC and hand carving are two different approaches, and we don’t combine them on the same sign. A CNC-routed sign gets its shape from the machine. A hand-carved sign gets its shape entirely by hand instead. So we choose one or the other based on the project and the look you want. Then we build the sign around that choice.
See the Work
Browse our routed HDU signs and dimensional letters. You can also see our community entrance signs and sandblasted signs.
Our What We Do page shows everything we build. Wondering if a CNC-routed sign is right for you? The quickest way to get started is to send us an email. We can also be reached at (410) 798-5115.