Experienced Designer / Sign Maker

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Free uniforms
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Competitive salary
• Profit sharing

Experienced Designer / Sign Maker

Tennessee Sign Company
Location: Tennessee
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Design & Production
Reports To: Production Manager / General Manager

About Tennessee Sign Company

Tennessee Sign Company is a growing regional sign company providing custom signage, graphics, and visual branding solutions to businesses throughout Tennessee.

We design, manufacture, and install a wide variety of products including illuminated channel letters, cabinets, monument signs, dimensional lettering, post-and-panel signs, wall graphics, vehicle graphics, digital prints, and custom signage.

We are looking for an experienced Designer / Sign Maker who can combine creative design skills with hands-on sign production and fabrication abilities.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys both designing signs and building them and takes pride in producing a high-quality finished product.

Position Summary

The Designer / Sign Maker is responsible for creating production-ready sign designs, preparing files for manufacturing, and assisting with the fabrication and production of signs and graphics.

The successful candidate will understand that sign design is different from traditional graphic design. Designs must not only look good, they must be manufacturable, installable, durable, readable, and profitable to produce.

The ideal candidate will have a strong eye for design, attention to detail, computer skills, and hands-on mechanical ability.

Key Responsibilities

Sign Design

• Create professional sign layouts and graphics based on customer requirements.
• Develop production-ready artwork for interior and exterior signage.
• Prepare layouts for channel letters, cabinets, monuments, dimensional lettering, wall graphics, vehicle graphics, and other signage.
• Create customer proofs, mockups, and presentation drawings.
• Ensure designs meet customer specifications, project requirements, and company standards.
• Select appropriate fonts, colors, materials, finishes, and graphic treatments.
• Prepare artwork for digital printing, vinyl cutting, CNC routing, laser cutting, and other production processes.
• Modify existing artwork and logos for production.
• Convert and clean up customer-supplied artwork when necessary.
• Verify dimensions, spelling, colors, quantities, and specifications before releasing files to production.
• Maintain organized digital artwork and project files.

Production & Sign Making

• Assist with fabrication and assembly of signs and graphics.
• Produce and install vinyl graphics, printed graphics, dimensional lettering, and other sign components.
• Operate vinyl plotters, laminators, wide-format printers, CNC equipment, and other production equipment as trained.
• Perform basic sign fabrication using aluminum, ACM, acrylic, PVC, vinyl, and other sign materials.
• Assist with channel letter, cabinet, monument, and dimensional sign fabrication.
• Apply vinyl and printed graphics accurately and professionally.
• Perform trimming, weeding, masking, routing, drilling, assembly, and finishing.
• Assemble sign components according to approved production drawings.
• Inspect finished products for quality before they leave the shop.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe production areas.
• Properly maintain and care for company tools, equipment, and materials.

Quality Control

The Designer / Sign Maker is responsible for helping ensure that every project leaving the production department meets Tennessee Sign Company's quality standards.

This includes:

• Checking dimensions and measurements.
• Verifying spelling and customer information.
• Confirming colors and materials.
• Checking artwork against approved customer proofs.
• Inspecting finished graphics for defects.
• Checking sign construction and assembly.
• Identifying potential production problems before fabrication begins.
• Communicating design or production concerns to management before proceeding.

We believe quality begins with good design and ends with excellent craftsmanship.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in sign design, graphic design, sign production, or a related field preferred.
• Strong computer skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to read measurements and work accurately with dimensions.
• Basic understanding of materials and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Reliable and dependable work habits.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Professional attitude and commitment to quality.

Preferred Experience

Experience with the following is highly desirable:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• CorelDRAW
• FlexiSIGN
• CAD or sign-specific design software
• Wide-format printing
• Vinyl plotters
• Digital printing
• Vinyl application
• CNC routing
• Laser cutting
• Channel letters
• LED illumination
• ACM fabrication
• Acrylic fabrication
• Dimensional lettering
• Monument signs
• Vehicle graphics
• Wall graphics

Sign industry experience is strongly preferred.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has a strong eye for design and proportion.
• Understands how signs are actually manufactured.
• Can take a concept from a computer screen to a finished physical product.
• Is comfortable working with both computers and hand tools.
• Pays close attention to measurements and details.
• Can identify potential production problems before they become expensive mistakes.
• Takes ownership of the quality of their work.
• Works efficiently without sacrificing quality.
• Is willing to learn new equipment, materials, and production techniques.
• Can prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Takes pride in producing work that represents the company well.

Physical Requirements

This position may require the ability to:

• Lift and move materials weighing up to approximately 75 pounds.
• Stand for extended periods.
• Bend, kneel, reach, climb, and work in various positions.
• Operate hand tools and power tools.
• Work around production equipment.
• Work indoors and outdoors when necessary.
• Safely handle sign materials, substrates, vinyl, acrylic, aluminum, and other production materials.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive compensation based on experience, skill level, and qualifications.

Potential compensation and benefits may include:

• Competitive hourly pay
• Overtime opportunities
• Performance-based advancement
• Paid training
• Company-provided equipment and tools as applicable
• Opportunities to learn advanced fabrication and production techniques
• Opportunities for advancement

Specific compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Career Advancement

Tennessee Sign Company is committed to developing skilled employees and promoting from within.

A successful Designer / Sign Maker may have opportunities to advance into:

Designer / Sign Maker → Senior Sign Maker → Lead Fabricator → Production Manager

Employees who demonstrate strong design, fabrication, leadership, quality, and organizational skills will have opportunities for increased responsibility.

What We Expect

At Tennessee Sign Company, we believe every sign represents our company.

We expect our team members to:

Design It Right. Build It Right. Deliver Quality.

We are looking for someone who wants to build a career in the sign industry, not simply work a job.

If you have creative ability, technical skills, attention to detail, and pride in craftsmanship, we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

Submit your application and resume. Applicants with design portfolios, examples of sign projects, or photographs of fabricated work are encouraged to include them.

Tennessee Sign Company
Building Signs. Building Brands. Building Careers.