Tray Signs for Shop and Office Fascias
A tray sign is a sheet of aluminium composite or aluminium folded at the edges to form a shallow tray. The returned edges give the sign a solid, finished look and hide the fixings, making tray signs one of the neatest ways to sign a shop or office fascia.
We make tray signs in our own workshop, sized to your fascia, and install them with our own team.
Get a free quote and free site survey.
Flat, routed and illuminated versions
- Flat tray signs with applied vinyl or printed graphics, clean and cost-effective.
- Routed or stencil-cut tray signs, where letters and logos are cut out of the face.
- Routed and illuminated tray signs, with acrylic behind the cut-outs and LEDs inside so only the lettering glows.
- Tray signs with built-up letters fixed to the face for added depth.
Why the tray construction matters
Folding the edges stiffens the panel, so a long fascia stays flat without bowing between fixings. It also means the panel can sit over an old fascia or sign board, covering it neatly without the cost of removing it, provided the board underneath is sound. Fixings are hidden behind the return, so you do not see screw heads on the face. We check the existing fascia on the survey to see whether the tray can go over it or whether the old sign must come off first.
Colour matching and finishes
The panel colour can be matched to your brand, and the same colour can be used across the tray, any projecting sign and window graphics so the whole shopfront is consistent. Graphics are applied in our workshop in a controlled environment, then the finished sign is brought to site ready to fix.
Fitting a tray sign
Most tray signs are fitted to timber battens or brackets fixed to the fascia, which leave a small gap behind the panel for ventilation and, on illuminated signs, the LED modules and cabling. Long fascias are made in sections with matched joints. Illuminated tray signs may need advertisement consent, and we can prepare the drawings for your application if they do.
Free design with photo-realistic mock-ups shows the sign on a photograph of your building, so you can compare flat, routed and lit options before choosing.
Learn more about fascias
Tray signs are one of several ways to make a fascia. Our fascias and panels page covers the alternatives, and our guide to shopfront fascia construction explains how the parts of a fascia fit together.
Where tray signs work well
Tray signs suit almost any fascia, but they are particularly good for shops and offices that want a crisp, modern finish, for businesses replacing a tired timber board, and for multi-unit sites such as parades and business parks where several signs need to look consistent. They are also a sensible choice for brands with simple, bold logos, because routed letters and illuminated cut-outs show clean shapes very clearly. If your business occupies a listed building or a conservation area, a painted timber fascia or individual letters may be more suitable, and we can discuss the options with you on the survey before preparing any drawings.
Tray Signs: Questions and Answers
What is a tray sign?
A tray sign is a flat aluminium or aluminium composite panel with its edges folded back to form a shallow tray. The folds stiffen the panel, hide the fixings and give a neat, solid edge on a fascia.
Can a tray sign be illuminated through cut-out letters?
Yes. The letters are routed out of the face and backed with acrylic, and LEDs inside the tray light them up, so the lettering glows while the panel stays solid.
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Get a free, no-obligation quote for your tray signs project today.