Blank Monument Sign Shell for Sign Company — Structural Build with Client-Applied Sign Face

Project Type: Monument Sign (Blank Shell)

Location: Nashville, TN

Client: FASTSIGNS (Reseller)

Industry: Commercial Signage

Product System: Custom Foam Monument Sign Shell

Materials: EPS Foam Core with Polyurea Hard Coat

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Result: Delivered a fully fabricated monument structure with faux brick finish and reinforced sign face, allowing the client to install their own tenant panels and branding.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

A sign company needed a monument sign structure only, without logo, lettering, or final branding.

Instead of a turnkey solution, the requirement was:

• Fabricate the full monument body
• Match an existing brick-style design
• Leave the sign face ready for client-installed graphics

This approach allowed the reseller to:

• Control branding in-house
• Install tenant panels separately
• Use the structure across multiple tenants if needed

THE CHALLENGE

Design Intent

The client provided a structural concept drawing (see drawing file):

• Brick-style monument with central recessed panel
• Symmetrical layout with two side columns
• Clean rectangular sign face opening

Key Constraints

• No lettering or logos from manufacturer
• Sign face had to be structurally reinforced
• Must match realistic brick appearance
• Needed to integrate future tenant panels

Technical Risks

• Warping or flex in empty sign face area
• Weak mounting surface for future panels
• Inconsistent faux brick pattern
• Poor alignment with client-installed graphics

THE SOLUTION

Structure-First Approach

Instead of building a finished sign, we engineered a blank monument shell:

• Full exterior structure completed
• Central sign face left clean and reinforced
• No branding elements pre-installed

This ensured maximum flexibility for the client.

Material & Construction

From invoice details:

• EPS foam core
• Polyurea hard coat for durability
• Faux brick finish (matched to reference photos)

Key Engineering Features

• Reinforced sign face for panel installation
• 2 internal PVC sleeves (6” diameter) for structural support
• Double-sided construction
• Designed to accept HDU or other tenant panels

Dimensions

• Height: 48.75”
• Width: 92”
• Depth: 20.25”

ARCHITECTURE DETAILS

From the drawing:

• Central opening approx. 51” wide x 34” high
• Side columns with consistent brick layout
• Top cap with brick pattern continuity
• Balanced proportions across entire structure

FABRICATION PROCESS

Step 1 — Design Interpretation

• Converted client drawing into production-ready model
• Adjusted tolerances for panel installation

Step 2 — Foam Construction

• CNC shaping of full monument body
• Assembly of structural components

Step 3 — Reinforcement

• Integration of internal sleeves
• Strengthening of sign face area

Step 4 — Hard Coat Application

• Polyurea coating applied for durability

Step 5 — Faux Finish

• Hand-applied brick texture
• Painted to match real masonry appearance

CLIENT-SIDE INSTALLATION MODEL

This project followed a split responsibility model:

Manufacturer (Royal Foam)

• Structure
• Finish
• Reinforcement

Sign Company (Client)

• Tenant panels (HDU or other)
• Logos and branding
• Final installation

Note from invoice:

Tenant panels were not included and supplied by customer

RESULTS 

• Delivered within 2–3 week timeline
• Fully finished monument shell ready for branding
• Clean and consistent faux brick appearance
• Strong structural base for tenant panels

VALUE FOR SIGN COMPANIES

This model is especially valuable because:

Flexibility

• Client controls branding timeline
• Easy updates for future tenants

Cost Efficiency

• No need to outsource full sign production
• Structure reused with new panels

Scalability

• Same shell design can be replicated
• Panels can be swapped without rebuilding structure

WHEN THIS APPROACH MAKES SENSE

• Multi-tenant properties
• Office parks
• Commercial developments
• Projects where branding is handled separately

WHY THIS PROJECT STANDS OUT

Most monument sign projects are turnkey.

This one demonstrates:

• Modular thinking
• Separation of structure vs branding
• Engineering focused on long-term usability

PERFORMANCE

• Weather-resistant exterior
• Durable hard-coated surface
• Stable structure for mounted panels
• Designed for long-term outdoor use

CLIENT IMPACT

The reseller gained:

• Full control over branding installation
• Ability to manage tenant updates independently
• A reusable monument structure for long-term use

FAQ

Q: Can you supply just the monument without branding?

Yes — this project is a perfect example.

Q: Can the sign face be customized later?

Yes, it’s specifically designed for that.

Q: Is the structure strong enough for panels?

Yes, reinforced sign face and internal sleeves are included.

Q: Can faux brick match real masonry?

Yes, finish is applied to replicate real brick appearance.