A surname written in marker on a strip of tape. The previous owners' engraved label, half covered over. A house number the delivery driver keeps missing from the street. The letterbox and the gate are the first things anyone sees of a home, and often the last things we think about.
A custom sign solves all of that, as long as it is chosen well. Size, thickness, shape, colour and mounting each have a purpose. Here is how to decide, starting from where the sign will actually live.
What you can have made
Our custom signs are 3D printed in our workshop in Moselle, in north-eastern France. 3D printing builds an object layer by layer from a digital file, and in this case the file is generated directly by the online configurator from your text and your choices.
The detail that makes the difference: text and symbols are raised, with the colour built in. In other words, the colour of the letters is part of the material itself: no ink sits on the surface, so there is no ink to wear off. Letterbox plate, gate number, visitor instructions or workshop signage: the principle is the same.
Choosing the size: start from the spot, not the text
The natural reflex is to type the name and see how much room it takes. Do the opposite: measure the available space first.
On a letterbox
Find the flat area on the front or lid, away from hinges, slot and lock. Measure the usable width and height to the millimetre, then take off a few millimetres on each side so the sign does not overhang a fold or curve in the metal. That area sets your maximum size.
On a gate or pillar
Space is rarely the issue here. The real question is whether it can be read from the street. A house number should be legible from the opposite pavement, or from a car slowing down. A few large characters beat a long line of small ones. A simple test: cut a piece of cardboard to the size you have in mind, write the text in marker and look at it from the street.
The limit to know
Signs go up to 28 × 28 cm. That is plenty for a letterbox, a gate number or an instruction sign. For a larger project or an unusual shape, our on-demand 3D printing service looks at it on a quote basis.
Thickness: 3 mm or 5 mm
Two thicknesses are available.
- 3 mm: a slim, discreet sign that sits close to the surface. Suited to a letterbox where you do not want anything sticking out, or to an indoor door.
- 5 mm: a bolder sign that brings out the relief and the shadow of the letters. A good choice for a gate or pillar, where the sign needs to be seen from a distance.
Shape and colour
Square or rounded corners
Square corners give a crisp, almost official look that suits a modern gate or a rectangular letterbox. Rounded corners (6 mm) soften the whole thing and avoid a sharp point that could snag a coat or a shopping bag.
The border
The border is a raised edge running around the sign. It is optional. It gives structure to a busier sign (a name plus a number, for example) and a traditional enamel-plate feel. On a sign with a single word, it is often unnecessary.
Colour
Eight colours are available. One piece of advice holds in every case: aim for contrast with the surface behind. A dark sign on a dark letterbox disappears, however nice the lettering. The configurator's instant preview lets you compare several combinations before you commit.
Mounting: the choice that matters most
It is the option people set last and the one they most often regret getting wrong. There are three.
Screw holes
The sign comes with holes so it can be screwed in place. It is the most solid-looking option, ideal on a pillar, a wooden gate or a wall. It does mean drilling the surface: check that you can, and that you are allowed to if you rent.
3M double-sided tape
Double-sided tape is sticky on both faces: one goes on the back of the sign, the other on the surface. No drilling at all. It needs a clean, dry, smooth surface to grip properly, so wipe the area down before fitting. On a letterbox, it is often the simplest solution.
Magnets
On a metal letterbox, magnets let you put the sign up and take it down without tools or marks. Handy if you rent, or if the names on the box are likely to change (a flatshare, a new member of the household). They need a magnetic surface: pop a fridge magnet on the letterbox before ordering and you will know.
What about outdoors?
A letterbox and a gate are outside by nature. Our product page makes no commitment on resistance to weather or UV, and we will not make one here either. If your sign will face full sun or sit without any shelter, ask the workshop before ordering and we will give you a straight answer for your situation.
Pricing
The configurator calculates the price live: a €6 setup fee, then the material, calculated from the surface area of the sign, with a minimum price of €9.90. You see the total change with every setting and add the sign straight to your basket.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a symbol next to the name?
Yes. The configurator offers several symbol families, including "home & decor", "contact" and "information". A small envelope or house next to the name is often enough to make the sign clearer.
Do I need a 3D file?
No. You type the text and pick the options, and the configurator does the rest. No modelling software needed.
Can I order several identical signs?
Each sign is configured and added to the basket. That is useful for a building with several letterboxes, or to match the letterbox sign with the one on the gate. For a larger run, get in touch through our workshop page.
Design your sign
Got your measurements, your text and your mounting choice? Head to the custom signs page to put your sign together and watch the preview and price update live.
Curious how a part goes from file to your front gate? Take a look inside our workshop.