2025’s Sign Contest Best of the Rest

JUST BECAUSE A project did not make it to the top three in our sign contest (see ST, September 2025, page 22) doesn’t mean it must forever languish in obscurity. These honorable picks exemplify quality and craft in their own right, and should not be missed!

Pepsi Pulse

Category 1: Best Signshop-Designed and Fabricated Sign, Internally Illuminated

A classic concept executed brilliantly: Ace Sign Co. (Springfield, IL) set blue neon tubing behind routed acrylic in this pylon sign for the Pepsi-Cola Bottling facility in Springfield, creating a “pulse” effect and bringing the graphic components into the physical world. “From concept to completion, this unique pylon sign was designed to combine modern and classic methods and styles with the iconic Pepsi branding,” says Ace Sign’s Scott Bringuet.

Bloom Into View

Category 3: Best Outside-Designed, Signshop- Fabricated Sign, Internally Illuminated

For Bloom, a residential development by Hartford Homes located in Fort Collins, CO, DaVinci Sign Systems (Windsor, CO) constructed a monument gateway sign measuring 22 ft., 75 in. tall by 11 ft., 10 in. wide. Based on concepts by Norris Design (Fort Collins, CO), the sign consists of a 32-in. painted aluminum cabinet with aluminum tenant panels showing routed and backed graphics. A masked and painted logo is applied directly to the brick base, while 6500K LEDs illuminate the cutout decorations and digitally printed graphic overlays for a classy lattice effect.

The Name of Music

Category 4: Best Outside-Designed, Signshop-Fabricated Sign, Not Internally Illuminated

Studio Dzo (Austin, TX) partnered with the Austin Symphony Orchestra on unique musical instrument-inspired interior signage to celebrate the orchestra’s new Red River, TX headquarters. This donor wall features custom-routed plaques made from ¼-in.-deep gold, clear and black anodized aluminum with laser-etched names, mounted on staggered horizontal rails made from ½-in. aluminum square tubes pin-mounted to the wall. According to Studio Dzo’s Russell Toynes, the wall’s design evokes an orchestral sound in its wave-like pattern. Each plaque attaches to the rails using custom gravity clips, which makes for easy removal and replacement.

There and Back Again

Category 2: Best Signshop-Designed and Fabricated Sign, Not Internally Illuminated

Originally named after Braxton Bragg, a general in the Confederate Army, North Carolina’s Fort Bragg was renamed to Fort Liberty in June 2023, with Blashfield Sign Co. (Fayetteville, NC) contracted by the US Army to update all of the signage. The army base, one of the world’s largest, is now Fort Bragg again, and Blashfield Sign was once again contracted to install the new old name on a double-sided entrance monument sign. Peachtree City Foamcraft (Peachtree City, GA) provided the sign’s base, with Gemini (Cannon Falls, MN) and Awning Innovations (McCordsville, IN) also taking part in fabrication.

Earth Cargo

Category 5: Best Signshop-or Outside-Designed, Shop-Fabricated Vehicle Wrap

Bryans Signs & High Impact Graphics (Eastland, TX), one of 2024’s winners in the vehicle wrap category, receives an honorable mention this year for this enclosed cargo-trailer wrap for FINCO Services (Abilene, TX). Printed on Avery Dennison MPI 1100 Wrapping Film, the 8 x 24-ft. trailer wrap brings a literally earthy look to the construction services provider, putting tools and rocks on the forefront.