Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Custom Sign Painting & Design Services in Portland
Established in 1963, Studio Sign has built a legacy as Portland's premier sign painting and design studio. Our expertise spans traditional hand-lettering, gold leaf gilding, and modern digital techniques, reflecting six decades of craftsmanship passed through three generations of owners. We specialize in custom sign painting, vehicle graphics, screen printing, and wall murals, combining time-honored methods with contemporary technology. Our team maintains rigorous industry standards through licensing, bonding, and insurance, ensuring every project meets exacting quality requirements.With a heritage rooted in commercial sign contracting and a commitment to preserving traditional techniques, we serve businesses seeking distinctive visual identity solutions. Our workshop program extends this expertise to community education, sharing sign painting fundamentals with new generations of artisans.
Services
Sign Painting
Gold Leaf Gilding
Graphic Design
Vehicle Graphics
Screen Printing
Wall Murals
Cut Vinyl Graphics
Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We combine 60+ years of traditional sign painting expertise with modern technology
- Third-generation family-owned business maintaining historic craftsmanship standards
- Licensed and insured commercial sign contractors with industry certifications
- Unique ability to execute both hand-painted and digitally produced signage
- Comprehensive service offering covering all sign-making disciplines
Associations and certifications
- Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
Services
Sign Painting
Our traditional sign painting combines historic brush techniques with modern materials. We execute custom lettering and graphics on wood, metal, glass, and windows using time-tested methods passed through three generations of master sign painters.
Gold Leaf Gilding
Specializing in premium gold leaf application, we create luminous signs using centuries-old gilding techniques. Our artisans apply 23k gold leaf through water gilding and oil gilding methods, offering mirror finishes and metallic powder effects for distinctive architectural elements.
Graphic Design
We develop sign designs blending typography expertise with digital tools. Our process incorporates hand-lettering heritage and computer-aided design to create visually balanced signage solutions that maintain brand identity while ensuring maximum legibility.
Vehicle Graphics
Our vehicle wraps combine durable vinyl materials with precision installation. We create full-color vehicle graphics that transform cars and commercial fleets into moving advertisements using both digital printing and traditional cut-vinyl lettering techniques.
Screen Printing
Offering traditional and vertical screen printing services, we produce detailed graphics on diverse materials including banners, glass, and metal. Our process maintains historical stencil techniques while incorporating modern ink formulations for long-lasting commercial applications.
People
Dean G. Stanley
Founder
WWII veteran and sign industry pioneer who established Studio Signs in 1963. Trained at sign painting school and worked with Foster & Kleiser, he specialized in pictorial murals that remain visible in Portland today.
Melvin K. Lee
Former President
Master sign painter who acquired Studio Signs in 1984. With expertise in hand lettering and gold leaf techniques, he modernized operations while preserving traditional craftsmanship, leading the business for 34 years until 2018.
Nicholas K. Lee
Current Owner
Third-generation sign artisan who purchased Studio Signs in 2018. Combining digital design skills with traditional painting techniques, he continues the family legacy while expanding educational workshops to preserve historic sign-making methods.
Questions
What types of sign services do you specialize in?
We offer hand-painted signs, gold leaf gilding, vehicle graphics, screen printing, and wall murals using both traditional techniques and modern technology.
How long have you been operating in Portland?
Studio Sign has served Portland since 1963, maintaining continuous operation through three generations of ownership.
Do you provide design services for existing businesses?
Can you match existing logos in your sign work?
Yes, we can incorporate existing logos and branding elements into our sign designs while maintaining visual integrity and legibility.
Do you offer educational workshops?
We periodically host sign painting workshops covering brush techniques, letterform basics, and traditional painting methods in our Portland studio.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Portland, OR, we serve clients throughout the Pacific Northwest region for custom sign projects.
