What’s it cost to produce this 22-by-28-in. CNC-routed sign?

I recently purchased a benchtop CNC machine and in the process of learning how to use the machine I decided to make a sales sample to hang in my shop. It took the better part of one day to make the sign, because I’m still in the learning stage of using the equipment.

I did the layout in CorelDRAW, then imported the design into the CAD software and set up the tool paths for the router.

I had a piece of 1-in.-thick white PVC board in the shop so I put it to use as the background panel. The material costs at left are all actual costs, even though some of the materials were offcuts that I had on hand.

First I applied black vinyl to the face of the background panel, then a layer of premask over the black vinyl. I loaded it on the router table and let the machine run the tool paths. It took about three hours to cut the ¾-in.-deep inset panel and make the profile cut.

When that was complete, I cut the letters out of 6mm black PVC board. No masking or prep was required on the PVC.

Next came the painting and assembly. I masked the edges of the panel with painter’s tape and sprayed it with Krylon Classic Gold from a shake can. Since the sign is for interior use, I wasn’t concerned about needing a premium exterior paint.

Once the gold was dry, I sprayed the edges and back of the sign black. I then peeled the application tape to reveal the black vinyl border. Using double-sided tape, I adhered the letters to the sign panel. Finally I applied the and in black vinyl.

This would be a fairly routine shingle-type sign. Routing them adds a lot to the look over a flat sign, and applying the letters to the routed background gives it even more dimension.