Blade Signs Melbourne
Most people walking along a shopping strip never look straight at your fascia. They look ahead, down the footpath. A blade sign sticks out from the wall at right angles, so it faces them while they walk. DSS designs, makes and installs blade signs Melbourne shops, cafes and clinics use to get noticed from the footpath, from our workshop at 30 New Street, Frankston.
Blade, projecting and flag-mount signs can be lit or non-lit, single-sided or double-sided. We make the sign and the bracket, and we can install it.
What is a blade or projecting sign?
A blade sign (also called a projecting sign, hanging sign or flag-mount sign) is fixed to the building and sticks out over the footpath, side-on to the shopfront. People see it as they walk or drive along the street rather than only when they are standing out the front.
- Blade sign: a flat double-sided panel or slim cabinet on a wall bracket.
- Flag-mount sign: a panel fixed along one edge straight to the wall, like a flag.
- Hanging sign: a panel hung from a bracket or under a verandah.
- Illuminated projecting sign: a lit cabinet, letters or shape, usually double-sided.
When a blade sign beats a fascia sign alone
A fascia sign is still your main ID. A blade sign adds side-on visibility, which helps most when:
- You are on a long strip with lots of shops, so people only see your shopfront once they are already past it.
- There is a verandah or awning that hides the fascia from further down the footpath.
- You are on a corner, in an arcade or laneway, or set back from neighbours.
- The street is narrow and nobody can step back far enough to read a fascia.
If you are still working out which signs to start with, our signage Melbourne guide and how to choose business signage cover the basics.
Illuminated fascia sign for LADIDA. A lit blade sign uses the same lighting, side-on.
Materials and finishes
Blade signs are small, so the finish shows up close. Common builds:
- Aluminium composite panel (ACM), 3 mm: flat, light and weatherproof, with printed or cut vinyl graphics. A good choice for a non-lit flag-mount sign.
- Acrylic: cut shapes or a logo added to the panel for depth, in 3, 6, 10, 20 or 30 mm.
- 3D letters on the blade: raised letters in acrylic, foam board (10 or 20 mm) or metal so the name stands off the panel. See 3D lettering.
- Fabricated cabinet: a slim aluminium box with lighting inside for an illuminated blade. Brackets and frames come out of our welding and fabrication shop.
- Cut shapes: a blade cut to the shape of your logo or product, made with CNC and laser cutting.
Illuminated or non-lit blade signs
If you trade after dark, or the street is shaded under verandahs, a lit blade keeps working at night. Options include a lit cabinet like a small light box, lit 3D letters or a logo on the blade, or LED neon for a softer look. Our illuminated signs page explains the differences.
A non-lit blade is simpler, needs no power at the wall and suits daytime trade. If you might want lighting later, tell us so the bracket and cabinet are built to take it.
| Non-lit blade | Illuminated blade | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Daytime trade, simple branding | Evening trade, shaded verandahs, strong night presence |
| Typical build | ACM panel, vinyl, acrylic or 3D letters | Fabricated cabinet, lit letters or LED neon |
| Power needed | No | Yes, power at the sign position |
| Upkeep | Clean now and then | Clean now and then, LED and power supply checks |
Mounting, wind and approvals
A blade sign hangs over a public footpath, so how it is fixed matters. The bracket has to suit the wall (brick, render, cladding or verandah structure), the size of the sign and the wind it will catch. We look at the wall and fixings before we build.
Many councils have rules about signs over the footpath, such as clearance height, how far a sign sticks out and whether it can be lit. Shopping centres and landlords often have their own design rules too. The rules vary, so check with your council and landlord early. Send us any conditions you have been given and we will work to them, and we can supply drawings and a visual to support your application.
Pair a blade with your other shopfront signs
A blade sign works best as part of the whole shopfront: a fascia sign or 3D letters above the door, window graphics for hours and offers, and an A-frame on the footpath. Keep the same colours and logo on all of them so people know they have found you.
Strike Bowling Bar: illuminated 3D letters with window graphics
What to send for a blade sign quote
- A photo of the shopfront taken from the footpath, plus one from further down the street.
- The rough height of the verandah or the spot where the sign will go, and what the wall is made of.
- Your logo files (vector AI, EPS, PDF or SVG if you have them).
- Whether you want it lit, and whether there is power nearby.
- Any council, centre or landlord conditions you already know about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a blade sign and a projecting sign?
Mostly nothing. Both stick out from the wall at right angles to the shopfront. "Flag-mount" usually means the panel is fixed straight to the wall along one edge rather than hung from a bracket.
How much does a blade sign cost?
It depends on size, materials, lighting and how it is mounted, so we quote each job. Send photos of the shopfront and an idea of what you want, and we will price it.
Do I need council approval for a projecting sign?
Often, because the sign is over a public footpath. Rules differ between councils and many landlords also need to approve it. Check early. We can supply drawings and a visual.
Can a blade sign be double-sided?
Yes, and most are, so people walking either way can read it.
Do you install blade signs?
Yes. We can make and install the sign, including the bracket. Lit signs also need power at the sign position.
Get a quote for a blade sign
Want people to see your shop from down the street? Talk to DSS about blade signs in Melbourne and the Peninsula. Call 1300 309 735, visit us at 30 New Street, Frankston, or request a quote with a photo of your shopfront.