How much does hand-painted signage cost?
A vinyl shop can cut your name for a few dollars a letter. A sign painter charges for hours at the bench, and you pay for that once, not every few years.
Hand-painted or vinyl?
| Sign | Typical price | Typical life |
|---|---|---|
| Window lettering, vinyl | $100 to $400 | 5 to 8 years |
| Window lettering, painted | $150 to $1,500 | 10 years or more |
| Gold leaf on glass | $1,000 to $5,000 | Decades, if kept indoors |
Vinyl peels and fades in sun. Paint can be touched up and leaf lasts, so the gap narrows over time.
Bigger signs
- Sandwich board: $300 to $1,200, frame included.
- Painted wall sign: $1,000 to $8,000. Painters often price walls near $15 to $50 a square foot.
- Worked example: an 8 by 10 ft brick wall is 80 square feet, so expect roughly $1,200 to $4,000 plus prep and lift rental.
Before you hire a sign painter
Ask to see a sign they painted three or more years ago. Check what paint they use outdoors, whether a lift and removing old lettering are in the price, and whether your logo is ready to trace.
Typical ranges to help you plan, not quotes: every artist sets their own price. Posting a call is free. Seeing who replied: $29; no commission.