Chicago doesn’t do subtle, from its skyline to its street life, the city thrives on making an impression. If you’re a business owner here, your sidewalk sign isn’t just a way to list specials or point people inside. It’s part of your brand’s handshake with the city. A good one will stop people mid-stride. A great one will have them snapping photos and sharing them before they even cross your doorway. In this guide, we’ll help you figure out where to find a sign that’s worthy of Chicago’s energy and your business’s personality.
1. Signs and Mirrors
We started Signs and Mirrors in a small Chelsea studio, and even though we’ve grown, we’ve kept that same hands-on approach with every sign we make. Our mirrored stainless steel and acrylic A-frames are designed to stand out, not just because they’re different from the typical sidewalk boards, but because they reflect the energy of the spaces they’re in. We build them to handle daily use, whether they’re out in front of a coffee shop, drawing people into a gallery, or marking the entrance to an event.
We’ve shipped signs all over, including to plenty of businesses in Chicago: from cafes in busy neighborhoods to storefronts looking for a sleek street presence. A big part of what we do is working closely with our customers. Some come to us with a clear idea, others just know they want something that feels unique and built to last. We help refine the look, choose materials, and make sure the end result feels like a natural extension of their brand. From simple rounded edges to fully custom shapes, we aim for pieces that turn heads and invite interaction - the kind of signs people stop to photograph.
Key Highlights:
- We create mirrored stainless steel and acrylic A-frame signs in multiple shapes
- Each sign is designed for everyday use and built for durability
- Work with Chicago businesses across different industries and neighborhoods
- Custom designs available, from subtle tweaks to fully unique builds
Key Services:
- Custom design and fabrication of sidewalk and A-frame signs
- Material selection and finishing tailored to each project
- Shipping and careful packaging for Chicago and long-distance orders
- Collaboration with clients to match branding and style
Contact Information:
- Website: signsandmirrors.com
- Address: 227 West 29th Street, Fl 9, New York, NY 10001
- Email: info@signsandmirrors.com
- Phone: 646-926-1534
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/signsandmirrors
Signs we offer in our shop:
#013 - Rounded Stainless Steel Standing Sign
#013 - Rounded Stainless Steel Standing Sign has a softer, more approachable silhouette while still keeping the durability and finish of our heavier builds. At just 10 lbs, it’s easy to move between events or shift around your storefront during the day. The cream powder coat adds a clean, warm touch that works with almost any aesthetic.
Standout Features:
- Lightweight 10 lb build for easy portability
- Rounded design with a softer visual profile
- High-quality stainless steel with cream powder coat finish
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- Works well for events, pop-ups, and storefronts
#010 - Black Stainless Steel A-Frame Sidewalk Sign
#010 - Black Stainless Steel A-Frame Sidewalk Sign is bold, minimal, and built from a single sheet of metal for strength. The powder coat finish gives it a deep, matte look while protecting it from wear. It’s a sturdy choice for busy sidewalks, and the two-sided format means your message is visible from both directions.
Standout Features:
- Single-sheet stainless steel for long-term durability
- Black powder coat finish with a clean, matte appearance
- Two-sided display for maximum visibility
- Stable design for high-traffic areas
- Available in two sizes to fit different spaces
#007 - Transparent Textured Insert Brushed Stainless Steel Standing Sign
#007 - Transparent Textured Insert Brushed Stainless Steel Standing Sign combines brushed stainless steel with a transparent textured insert, giving it a modern and lighter visual feel. The twinwall polycarbonate panel allows for custom prints or graphics, while the steel frame ensures stability and resistance to the elements. It’s a piece that blends into high-end storefronts while still catching attention.
Standout Features:
- 304 brushed stainless steel with twinwall polycarbonate insert
- Transparent textured panel for a modern, minimal look
- Freestanding build with stability for sidewalk placement
- Designed for both indoor and outdoor use
- Easy to integrate into premium retail or hospitality settings
2. FASTSIGNS of Chicago
This Lincoln Park/Bucktown branch of FASTSIGNS works on a wide mix of projects, from small neighborhood storefront boards to multi-part signage for bigger spaces. They handle both indoor and outdoor pieces, including the classic A-frame style that works well on busy sidewalks. The team seems comfortable working with different looks and formats, whether it’s a simple daily special board or something designed to stay out front all year.
It’s not just the printing they take care of. They can help plan the sign from the idea stage, create the design, and even sort out any needed permits. Once everything’s approved, they’ll manage the build, deliver it, and set it up where it needs to go. For anyone who wants to hand off the entire process, that’s all covered here.
Key Highlights:
- Handles both indoor and outdoor signage
- Creates A-frame and sidewalk boards in different styles
- Works on one-off projects and larger rollouts
- Can produce regulatory and accessible signs
Key Services:
- Design and content development
- Permitting and project management
- Shipping, storage, and installation
- Custom signage in multiple materials and formats
Contact Information:
- Website: www.fastsigns.com
- Phone: (773) 906-7131
- Address: FASTSIGNS® of Chicago, IL - Lincoln Park/Bucktown, 1820 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
- Email: customerservice@fastsigns.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fastsigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/FASTSIGNS
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/fastsigns
- X (Twitter): x.com/fastsigns
3. AlphaGraphics Chicago
AlphaGraphics in the West Loop makes sidewalk signs in a variety of builds: from chalkboard A-frames to full-color printed boards in acrylic or aluminum. They offer a good range of printing methods, including large-format work, so the end result can be weather-resistant and sized for the space where it’ll sit. Their approach starts with figuring out the right material and finish for how and where the sign will be used.
They also seem to think beyond the physical sign. For businesses running broader marketing efforts, they can design something that ties in visually with online or other printed materials. The customization options are wide open, with choices in colors, protective coatings, and even magnetic or dry erase surfaces that make swapping messages easier.
Key Highlights:
- Offers chalkboard, dry erase, and printed sign options
- Works with materials like acrylic, aluminum, wood, and more
- Weather-resistant and UV printing available
- Custom sizing and shapes possible
Key Services:
- Large-format and flat-bed printing
- Graphic design and material selection
- Coatings and finishing options
- Delivery and installation
Contact Information:
- Website: www.alphagraphics.com
- Phone: (888) 382-2159
- Email: us525@alphagraphics.com
- Address: 1017 West Washington Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60607 US
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/agwestloop
4. SpeedPro Chicago Loop
SpeedPro Chicago Loop focuses on custom A-frames and other street-level signs, often for high-traffic spots like restaurants, event spaces, and storefronts. Their A-frames are portable and double-sided, which makes them practical for moving around and updating as needed. They use different materials: metal, wood, plastic, fabric, depending on the look and lifespan a business is after.
Their work goes beyond just the boards themselves. They produce floor and wall decals, murals, and other large-scale graphics that can be placed at eye level or higher. They also help figure out where a sign will get the most eyes on it, looking at foot traffic patterns and visibility. The idea is to make sure the sign isn’t just made well but also put in the right spot.
Key Highlights:
- Designs portable, double-sided A-frames
- Creates murals, decals, and other large-scale graphics
- Works with a range of materials for different needs
- Offers advice on placement for better visibility
Key Services:
- Custom printing for A-frame and sidewalk signs
- Floor and wall decal production
- Large-format printing for murals and building signs
- Consultation on traffic flow and placement
Contact Information:
- Website: www.speedpro.com
- Phone: 312.847.1269
- Email: SPCLMarketing@SpeedPro.com
- Address: 2028 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 101, Chicago, IL 60616
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/speedpro-chicago-loop
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/speedprochicagoloop
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/speedprochicagoloop
- X (Twitter): x.com/SpeedProChiTown
5. Signarama Chicago
In the South Loop, Signarama handles a mix of sidewalk and curbside sign options. Their work includes foldable A-frame boards for storefronts, portable spinner signs for busier intersections, and yard-style signs that can be set up at events or properties. They also tie these in with storefront graphics, so the signs outside match the look and feel of the business itself.
They keep their designs practical: most options can be moved, stored, or swapped out without much hassle. Materials and layouts vary depending on how long the sign will be in place and how much exposure it will get. Whether it’s something for a week-long promotion or a more permanent fixture, they focus on keeping the visuals consistent with a business’s branding.
Key Highlights:
- Makes A-frames, yard signs, and portable spinner signs
- Can create storefront graphics to work with sidewalk displays
- Portable builds for easy placement and storage
- Custom designs matched to existing branding
Key Services:
- Design and production for yard, sidewalk, and storefront signs
- Material and style options for short or long-term use
- Branding integration for consistent visuals
- Support for movable and portable signage
Contact Information:
- Website: signarama.com
- Phone: 312-922-0509
- Address: Signarama Chicago (Downtown), IL 1633 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago Illinois 60616
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/signarama-chicago-downtown-il
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/signaramadowntownchicago
6. Image360 Chicago Loop
Image360’s Loop location offers a variety of A-frame sign builds, from simple chalkboards to printed metal or plastic frames. They also make changeable letter boards and wind-resistant models for areas with heavier pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The double-sided format makes them visible in both directions, and the inserts can be updated as often as needed.
Their focus is on flexibility. A restaurant can change a menu special daily, a shop can point to a temporary sale, or a venue can use the same frame for different events. By offering different materials and finishes, they let clients match the sign’s look and durability to where it will be used — whether that’s on a busy downtown corner or just outside a small entryway.
Key Highlights:
- Offers chalkboard, letter board, and printed A-frames
- Metal, plastic, and wind-resistant construction options
- Double-sided displays for more visibility
- Interchangeable inserts for changing messages
Key Services:
- Design and printing for multiple A-frame types
- Weather-resistant and wind-resistant builds
- Insert options for quick updates
- Advice on formats to fit location and usage
Contact Information:
- Website: image360.com
- Phone: 312-759-8911
- Address: 208 S Jefferson St, Ste 220, Chicago, IL 60661
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/image360-chicago-loop
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Image360ChicagoLoop
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/image360chicago
- X (Twitter): x.com/image360chicago
7. Signs By Tomorrow Chicago North
Up in the North Side, Signs By Tomorrow works with both yard and sidewalk signage. They make A-frames, chalkboard signs, letter boards, and metal-framed options, plus smaller yard signs made from corrugated plastic or polycoated cardboard. Many of their builds are lightweight and portable, which makes them easy to move to a new location or store away.
For businesses or events that need to swap messages often, they offer several changeable formats: chalk surfaces, letter boards, and removable graphics. They can scale the size from small pieces meant for lawns to larger boards designed to grab attention on a sidewalk. The materials vary based on how long the sign needs to hold up and where it’s going to be placed.
Key Highlights:
- Makes both sidewalk and yard-style signs
- Offers A-frame, chalkboard, letter board, and metal-framed options
- Lightweight builds for portability
- Material choices for different lifespans and settings
Key Services:
- Custom printing across various sign types
- Quick-change message options
- Material selection to match budget and durability
- Portable, weather-ready designs
Contact Information:
- Website: www.signsbytomorrow.com
- Phone: 773-404-7446
- Email: Sales@SBTchicago.com
- Address: 3015 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60618
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/american-signs-by-tomorrow-chicago
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ASBTChicago
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/signs.by.tomorrow
- X (Twitter): x.com/@AmericanSignsBT
8. In Sight Sign Company
In Sight Sign Company produces a range of outdoor signage for Chicago businesses, with sidewalk signs being one of their regular offerings. These signs are used for everything from restaurant specials to real estate open houses, giving businesses a way to put messages directly in front of foot and vehicle traffic. They can also work for locations that can’t place permanent signage but still need visibility at street level.
Their builds are made to handle repeated use, and they can be ordered individually or in larger quantities for multiple locations. Ordering in bulk can make it easier for businesses with several storefronts or event sites to keep their branding consistent while reaching more people in different areas.
Key Highlights:
- Creates sidewalk signs for restaurants, retail, events, and real estate
- Works for locations without space for permanent signs
- Designed for durability and repeated use
- Bulk ordering available for multi-location needs
Key Services:
- Design and production of custom sidewalk signs
- Outdoor signage options for various business types
- Multiple quantity ordering for broader coverage
- Builds made for long-term outdoor exposure
Contact Information:
- Website: insightsigncompany.com
- Phone: 773-267-4002
- Email: chris@insightsigncompany.com
- Address: In Sight Sign Company, 3910 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60651
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/In-Sight-Sign-Company-228755815061
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/insightsignco
Conclusion
Finding the right sidewalk sign in Chicago really comes down to matching the style, build, and message to how you want people to experience your business before they even step inside. Some signs are about making a bold first impression, others are built for flexibility so you can swap out messages as often as you like. The city’s packed with options: from stainless steel statement pieces to lightweight boards you can carry to a weekend market, so it’s worth thinking about where your sign will live, how often it’ll move, and how you want it to represent your space.
Whether you’re a coffee shop in a busy neighborhood, a boutique on a quiet side street, or a pop-up that’s here for a month, the right sign can pull eyes, slow footsteps, and spark curiosity. In a place like Chicago, where the sidewalks are as much a stage as they are a thoroughfare, that little bit of curbside personality can go a long way.