Custom Metal Signs
18 gauge steel, various sizes (1-48 inches)
BENCHMARK FORMINGWe have 2 vendor prices on record for custom metal signs. One more independent vendor establishes a full benchmark range.
2 vendor prices on record · sign in to see details
Procurement playbook
What moves the price
- Substrate (paper vs foam board vs PVC vs aluminum)
- Size and whether it fits a standard sheet (off-sizes waste material)
- Quantity and where the run falls against the printer's break points
- Finishing such as lamination, mounting, grommets, or contour cuts
Check before signing
- Setup or plate fees charged per unit or per reorder instead of once per design
- A substrate quietly downgraded from the spec you asked for
- Rush surcharges applied to a standard timeline
- A quantity priced just below a natural break point you could cross cheaply
Negotiation levers
- Consolidate to standard sheet sizes
- Combine multiple designs into one run to share setup
- Give the printer a flexible ship date
About custom metal signs pricing
Priced per unit; vendors typically quote against a primary quantity around 1 unit.
Why do two quotes for the same poster differ so much?
Usually substrate or finishing, not the printing itself. Ask both vendors to quote the identical substrate and finish and the gap normally closes.
Is a setup fee normal?
Yes for short runs, but it should be charged once per design, not per unit and not again on a reorder of the same file.
Tracked variants
Related variants of this product are tracked as separate benchmark lines. Match the spec before comparing quotes.
Holding a quote for custom metal signs?
Upload it for a line-by-line variance report. Each benchmarked item is measured against current vendor pricing, with specific figures for negotiation.
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