What makes tray signs more or less expensive?

Size and quantity come first, then the material or film, any lighting, the height of the work and the equipment needed to reach it, and the state of the surface or old sign being replaced. Against that, the guide for a job in Brighton is £1,250–£3,450 per sign + VAT, confirmed after a survey or artwork check.

Is a tray sign heavier than a flat panel?

A little, but not by much. Aluminium is light, and most of the extra weight is in the returns and the fixing rail. What matters is fixing into sound masonry or a solid fascia structure, and we check that at survey before recommending a fixing method.

Do tray signs dent or scratch?

Powder-coated aluminium is tough, but a folded tray can dent if struck by a ladder or vehicle, and deep scratches expose bare metal. Touch-up paint is available in the RAL colour, though repairs are rarely invisible. On low fascias near loading areas, a higher fixing position helps.

Is there a typical lead time for tray signs in Brighton?

Yes, though it varies with the job. The lead time typically runs from the day you approve the proof, not from the first enquiry, and is typically a few weeks. Survey visits, artwork changes and any consent application sit before that point, so getting photos, sizes and logo files to us early typically shortens the overall timescale.

Can a tray sign cover an old fascia completely?

Yes, in most cases. A tray can be sized to the full fascia board with folded ends that wrap the corners, hiding the old timber. We still check the board is sound and fix through to solid structure, because hidden rot can loosen fixings over time.

What do you need from me to quote for tray signs in Brighton?

Photos are the most useful start: the whole frontage, window or vehicle, plus a close-up of the area involved. Add rough measurements, your logo or artwork if you have it, and the address. From that we can say whether a survey visit is needed and send a written quote, followed by a proof for you to approve.

Tray signs in Brighton

Tray signs are fascia signs folded from aluminium sheet so the face turns back at the edges into returns, typically 50–75 mm deep, then powder coated and hung on concealed fixings.

Tray signs in Brighton: the practical benefits

Where several Brighton shops share a parade, a charcoal tray with white letters stands apart from the printed panels around it.
If your Brighton premises might open into the evening one day, a light-ready tray avoids paying for a second sign later.
Professional practices in Brighton, such as dentists, opticians and solicitors, may prefer a tray because a clean folded edge suggests care.

What tray signs cost in Brighton

Here is the price picture for tray signs in Brighton: a guide of £1,250 to £3,450 per sign, with VAT on top. The rows below give more detail. A survey or artwork check comes first, and then we confirm the price in writing.

Tray signs in Brighton: guide prices, supplied and fitted
Item	Guide, ex VAT	Inc. VAT (20%)
Tray sign up to 3 m, vinyl lettering	£1,250 – £2,100	£1,500 – £2,520
Tray sign 3–5 m, raised acrylic lettering	£1,850 – £3,450	£2,220 – £4,140
Push-through or routed letters (non-lit)	£350 – £950	£420 – £1,140

Length matters most, because longer trays need joints, more coating and more fixing rail. Then come the lettering method, letter count, special or metallic powder coats, access height and removal of the old sign. Every figure is confirmed after survey and an artwork check.

Options for your Brighton project

Tray with raised acrylic letters

Solid acrylic letters fixed proud of the face for depth and shadow.

Routed tray with push-through letters

Letters cut through the face with acrylic pushed through, ready to light.

Light-ready tray

Deep enough for LED modules, with cable entry agreed, fitted unlit for now.

Do you need permission for a sign in Brighton?

Advertisement consent in England comes from the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007. A sign is either excluded from control, has deemed consent, or needs express consent from the council's planning department. For a plain, unlit sign on your own premises, deemed consent usually applies when characters are 0.75 m tall or less (0.3 m in an area of special control) and the top edge is below the first-floor windows. Conservation areas need more care, and a listed building usually needs listed building consent as well; working without it can be a criminal offence. We confirm the route before you commit, and can prepare the drawings for an application or submit it for you.

Covering Brighton and East Sussex

You do not need to be in a particular postcode for us to help: Brighton and the whole of East Sussex are covered. If your job needs a survey, we arrange the visit. If it can be priced from photos, sizes and the vehicle make and model, we do it that way instead. Addresses in BN1, BN2 and BN3 are all within our Brighton coverage.

Other towns near Brighton

Ready to price tray signs in Brighton? Send a few photos and rough sizes through the form or WhatsApp. The quote is free, and you will see a proof to scale before anything is made.

More signs in Brighton

All sign types in Brighton · Tray signs across East Sussex

Typical lifespan	Many years; powder coat weathers better than wet paint
Consent	Non-lit often deemed in England within limits; lit versions commonly need express consent
Materials	Folded aluminium with 50–75 mm returns, powder coated; acrylic or vinyl lettering