Exterior Illuminated Blade
Custom Exterior LED Light Box (Without Installation)
Custom Exterior LED Light Boxes are designed to deliver bold visibility, vibrant illumination, and a professional brand presence for storefronts, restaurants, retail shops, offices, and commercial ...
LED Light Box Square Exterior options (Without Installation)
The Double-Sided Square LED Light Box with Bracket is a modern and highly effective signage solution designed for maximum visibility in outdoor and commercial settings. Its square shape combined wi...
LED Light Box Round Exterior options (Without Installation)
The Double-Sided Round LED Light Box with Bracket is a high-visibility signage solution designed for maximum impact in outdoor and commercial environments. Featuring a sleek circular design and dua...
LED Light Box Rectangle Exterior options (Without Installation)
The LED Light Box Rectangle Exterior by Martin Sign is a high-performance signage solution designed to deliver maximum visibility and durability in outdoor environments. Engineered with a sleek rec...
Custom LED Blade Signs for Storefronts, Restaurants & Retail Businesses
An exterior illuminated blade sign (also called a projecting sign or hanging sign) mounts perpendicular to your building wall, extending outward so it's visible from both directions of foot and vehicle traffic. Unlike flat wall signs, blade signs create a 3D presence that announces your business to pedestrians, drivers, and neighboring stores.
At Martin Sign, we manufacture custom illuminated blade signs using commercial-grade aluminum, stainless steel, weather-sealed acrylic, and energy-efficient LED lighting. Each sign is built for all-weather outdoor exposure, with IP65-rated LEDs that last 50,000+ hours.
Business owners choose illuminated blade signs because they:
- Increase foot traffic by up to 30% (visible from sidewalks and streets)
- Operate 24/7 with low energy consumption (LEDs use 80% less than neon)
- Build brand recognition with custom shapes, fonts, and colors
- Work for restaurants, cafes, salons, hotels, bars, and retail stores
This page covers every decision you need to make: materials, lighting types, mounting methods, customization options, real project examples, and frequently asked questions.
TYPES OF EXTERIOR ILLUMINATED BLADE SIGNS
Front Lit Blade Signs
Front lit signs have LEDs positioned inside the sign cabinet, shining outward through translucent acrylic or polycarbonate faces. This is the most common and affordable illuminated blade sign option. The light is bright, uniform, and highly visible during both day and night.
Best for: Restaurants, fast food, retail stores, salons
Halo Lit (Backlit) Blade Signs
Also called reverse-lit or halo-lit, these signs use LEDs mounted behind metal lettering or shapes. Light projects outward onto the wall, creating a soft "halo" glow around dark letters. This effect looks premium and sophisticated but requires a contrasting wall color.
Best for: Boutiques, luxury brands, hotels, law firms, spas
Double Sided Illuminated Blade Signs
Both sides of the sign illuminate independently, making your message visible from two directions. Double-sided signs are ideal for corner buildings, one-way streets, or locations where foot traffic approaches from multiple angles. Each side can display the same design or different information (e.g., logo on one side, "OPEN" on the other).
Best for: Corner stores, bars, cafes on busy pedestrian streets
Acrylic Blade Signs
Acrylic (plexiglass) offers a glossy, modern look. It transmits light evenly and works well for full-color digital printing or translucent colored faces. Acrylic is lightweight, affordable, and available in dozens of colors. However, it scratches more easily than metal.
Best for: Indoor-facing exterior signs, covered walkways, lower-traffic areas
Metal Blade Signs (Aluminum or Stainless Steel)
Metal blade signs are the most durable option for harsh outdoor conditions. Aluminum is lightweight and rustproof. Stainless steel offers maximum strength and a premium brushed or polished finish. Metal signs can be laser-cut into custom shapes, with LEDs mounted behind or around the letters.
Best for: Coastal locations (salt air), high-wind areas, 24/7 exposed locations
BENEFITS OF ILLUMINATED BLADE SIGNS FOR STOREFRONTS
| Benefit | Why It Matters | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased Visibility | Projects outward from building, visible from both directions | ||
| 24/7 Advertising | LED illumination works overnight, capturing late-night traffic | ||
| Foot Traffic Growth | Blade signs attract walk-in customers better than flat wall signs | ||
| Low Energy Cost | LEDs run for pennies per day (typical sign uses 30-60 watts) | ||
| Weather Resistance | IP65-rated LEDs and sealed enclosures survive rain, snow, dust | ||
| Long Lifespan | 50,000+ hours of LED life = 10+ years of nightly use | ||
| Custom Shapes | No rectangle required — match your logo or storefront architecture | ||
| Permitting Friendly | Most cities allow projecting signs up to specific sizes without variance |
BEST MATERIALS FOR OUTDOOR BLADE SIGNS
Aluminum (Grade 5052 or 6061)
Stainless Steel (Grade 304 or 316)
Acrylic (Plexiglass)
LED Lighting Specifications
CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS FOR YOUR BLADE SIGN
Martin Sign builds every blade sign to your exact specifications. No templates. No minimum orders.
| Option | Choices | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Any width up to 48 inches, any height up to 96 inches (larger available, contact us) | ||
| Shape | Rectangle, circle, oval, custom laser-cut silhouette (your logo shape) | ||
| Material | Aluminum, stainless steel, acrylic, polycarbonate, dibond | ||
| Lightning | Front lit, halo lit (backlit), edge lit, non-illuminated | ||
| LED Color | Warm white (3000K), neutral white (4000K), cool white (5000K), RGB color-changing | ||
| Face Color | Any PMS or RGB color, translucent (glows), opaque (dark letters on lit background) | ||
| Mounting | Wall mount (direct), pole mount, hanging from canopy, swing arm | ||
| Finishes | Brushed, polished, matte, powder-coated, painted, vinyl-wrapped | ||
| Graphics | Cut vinyl lettering, digital print on acrylic, laser-etched metal |
INDUSTRIES THAT USE PROJECTING BLADE SIGNS
REAL EXTERIOR BLADE SIGN PROJECTS
Project : Joe's Downtown Diner (Chicago, IL)
| Details | Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign Type | Double-sided front lit illuminated blade sign | ||
| Dimensions | 18" x 48" x 4" deep | ||
| Material | Aluminum body, acrylic faces | ||
| Lightning | Front lit, halo lit (backlit), edge lit, non-illuminated | ||
| LED Color | 4000K neutral white |
Complete Sign Solutions from Martin Sign
Custom LED blade signs are just one way we help businesses stand out. We manufacture dozens of sign types at our San Francisco shop at 1455 Yosemite Ave. Below is every sign solution we offer — all fabricated in-house, shipped nationwide, with installation support.
Exterior Storefront Signs
Start with Illuminated Dimensional Channel Letters — bright LED letters perfect for restaurants, banks, and retail stores that stay open after dark. These are also called channel letters or LED business signs. They provide 24/7 visibility with front lit or halo lit options.
If you need a sign that projects outward from your building wall, explore Exterior Illuminated Blade Signs . Also called projecting signs or hanging signs, blade signs extend over the sidewalk and are visible from both directions of foot traffic. Choose from front lit, halo lit (backlit) , or double-sided options.
For businesses that close before dark and want a professional daytime appearance, Non Illuminated Dimensional Letters are the answer. These solid 3D letters require no electricity, no maintenance, and last 10-20 years outdoors. Available in acrylic, aluminum, stainless steel, and PVC.
For premium halo lit and reverse channel letters, visit LED Dimensional Letters . These signs project a soft glow behind each letter onto your building wall — perfect for luxury retail, hotels, and corporate offices.
ADA Compliant & Accessibility Signs
Every commercial building needs ADA Compliant Signs for restrooms, stairwells, elevators, and permanent rooms. These signs feature tactile raised lettering and Grade 2 Braille as required by federal law.
Our ADA signs include restroom signs (Men, Women, All Gender, Family), room identification signs (conference rooms, offices, suites), exit and stairwell signs, electrical and fire riser signs, and directional wayfinding signs. All signs are fabricated with non-glare finishes, high color contrast, and compliant sans-serif fonts.
WHY CHOOSE MARTIN SIGN FOR CUSTOM BLADE SIGNS
Frequently Asked Questions
A blade sign (also called a projecting sign or hanging sign) mounts perpendicular to a building wall, extending outward over the sidewalk. "Illuminated" means it contains internal or external LED lighting for night visibility.
Yes, Martin Sign manufactures both single-sided and double-sided blade signs. Double-sided signs are visible from both directions of approach and typically cost 40-60% more than single-sided due to twice the materials and LEDs.
Our blade signs are weather-resistant, not fully submersible. All LED components are IP65-rated (dust-tight and protected from low-pressure water jets). The enclosure is sealed with silicone gaskets. Normal rain, snow, and humidity will not damage the sign. Do not pressure wash directly.
Quality LEDs rated at 50,000 hours. If your sign runs 12 hours per night (e.g., 6 PM to 6 AM), that equalsover 11 yearsof continuous nightly operation. LEDs gradually dim over time but rarely fail completely.
Yes. We can laser-cut aluminum or stainless steel into any custom silhouette, including your exact logo shape. Additional fees apply for custom cutting dies or CNC programming (typically150–150–300 one-time).
For most locations:Aluminum body + acrylic illuminated face. For coastal/salt air:Stainless steel + marine-grade LEDs. For budget:Aluminum + non-illuminated vinyl.
Yes. Every sign ships with a detailed mounting diagram, appropriate brackets, and hardware. We provide phone/email support during installation. For full-service installation, we partner with licensed sign installers in most major U.S. cities. Ask for a quote.
Yes – restaurants are our #1 customer type. Illuminated blade signs help late-night diners find your entrance, display "OPEN" hours, and build brand recognition from the sidewalk.
Most U.S. cities require a sign permit for any projecting sign over 6 square feet or extending more than 12 inches from the wall. We provide engineering drawings and specs you can submit with your permit application. Permit fees and requirements vary by city.
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