Sign Builder Illustrated
Sign Builder Illustrated is a B2B trade publication serving the sign and graphics industry with how-to editorial content, digital media, and a supplier directory, distributed through print, web, and events to sign shop owners, fabricators, and installers across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Sign Builder Illustrated does
Sign Builder Illustrated (SBI) is a niche B2B trade publication serving the sign and graphics industry, founded in 1987 and based in New York. The company publishes a how-to magazine covering fabrication techniques, installation practices, digital signage technology, business management, and regulatory compliance for sign shop owners, fabricators, installers, and industry suppliers. Content is organized across five core verticals: Graphics, Lighting/Electric, Dimensional, Business Management, and Installation, supported by an extensive editorial archive.
The company operates on a diversified revenue model combining print and digital subscriptions, advertising sales to equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and referral revenue through its Sign Builder Directory marketplace. Distribution spans a digital edition at signshop.com, email newsletters, podcasts, video and webinar content, and a traditional print subscription managed through Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc. The publication maintains active social media presence across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and holds on-site presence at industry trade shows including ISA Sign Expo and PRINTING United Expo.
Go-to-market is sales-led, targeting sign industry professionals through trade show engagement, subscription-based content distribution, and direct advertising relationships with suppliers. The company holds core strategic partnerships with the International Sign Association, PRINTING United Alliance, and Sign Association of Canada, embedding it within the institutional ecosystem of the North American sign industry. The publication employs 11-50 staff and operates as a subsidiary of Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc., a privately held B2B publishing conglomerate.
Sign Builder Illustrated firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sign Builder Illustrated
- Legal name
- Sign Builder Illustrated
- Website
- https://signshop.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sign Builder Illustrated is a B2B trade publication serving the sign and graphics industry with how-to editorial content, digital media, and a supplier directory, distributed through print, web, and events to sign shop owners, fabricators, and installers across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sign Builder Illustrated industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Publishing
- NAICS
- Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850), Graphic Design Services (54143)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wayfinding, Signage & Environmental Graphic Design (BPAHAKAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH)
Keywords
Where Sign Builder Illustrated is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Sign Builder Illustrated business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Subscription Revenue: Print and digital magazine subscriptions for sign industry professionals seeking how-to content, industry news, and business guidance.
- Advertising Revenue: Sponsored content, display advertising, and brand visibility opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers targeting sign industry buyers.
- Buyers Guide / Directory: Referral and listing revenue through the Sign Builder Directory, connecting buyers with suppliers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Print and Digital Subscriptions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sign Builder Illustrated product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sign Builder Illustrated is a B2B trade magazine (print and digital) providing how-to editorial content, industry news, and educational resources for sign shop owners, fabricators, installers, and suppliers across Graphics, Lighting/Electric, Dimensional, Business Management, and Installation categories. The publication also operates the Sign Builder Buyers Guide directory connecting sign industry buyers with suppliers and manufacturers.
Product overview
Sign Builder Illustrated is a trade publication offering a unified platform of content and resources for the sign industry. The core product is the Sign Builder Illustrated magazine covering fabrication techniques and business practices, distributed both in print and as a Digital Edition. Supporting content verticals include Graphics (Awning & Banners, Digital Printing, Vinyl Graphics), Lighting/Electric (Digital Signage, LED Modules, Lighting Fixtures), Dimensional (ADA/Wayfinding, Architectural, Equipment/Materials & Software, Monuments/Pylons), Business Management (Franchise, Operations, Trade Associations), and Installation (Fasteners/Adhesives/Tapes, Safety, Service Equipment). Additional resources include Videos/Webinars, Podcasts, Newsletters, Young Sign Makers industry resources, and the Buyers Guide directory service.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sign Builder Illustrated Magazine
- Digital Edition
- Sign Builder Buyers Guide Directory
- Videos and Webinars
- Podcasts and Multimedia
- Email Newsletters
Companies that use Sign Builder Illustrated
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sign Builder Illustrated technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sign Builder Illustrated partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc.coreSign Builder Illustrated is published by Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc., a specialized B2B publishing company. Simmons-Boardman provides publishing infrastructure, distribution, and corporate oversight for the magazine brand.
- ISA (International Sign Association)coreSBI has a strong operational partnership with ISA, regularly covering ISA Sign Expo events, featuring ISA Insight opinion content, and providing on-site coverage with booth presence. ISA provides industry advocacy and standards for the sign industry that SBI editorial content supports.
- PRINTING United AlliancemajorSign Builder Illustrated covers PRINTING United Expo and Pinnacle Awards, featuring news about award winners and industry trends from the alliance. The partnership provides editorial coverage of the organization's certification programs and industry standards.
- Sign Association of CanadaminorCoverage of Sign Expo Canada and the rebranded Sign Experience Canada event, providing editorial visibility for Canadian sign industry initiatives.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sign Builder Illustrated competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sign Builder Illustrated social profiles
Digital presenceSign Builder Illustrated financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sign Builder Illustrated leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Sign Builder Illustrated funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sign Builder Illustrated M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sign Builder Illustrated
What does Sign Builder Illustrated do?
Sign Builder Illustrated is a B2B trade magazine (print and digital) providing how-to editorial content, industry news, and educational resources for sign shop owners, fabricators, installers, and suppliers across Graphics, Lighting/Electric, Dimensional, Business Management, and Installation categories. The publication also operates the Sign Builder Buyers Guide directory connecting sign industry buyers with suppliers and manufacturers.
Is Sign Builder Illustrated a public or private company?
Sign Builder Illustrated is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Sign Builder Illustrated founded?
Sign Builder Illustrated was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sign Builder Illustrated based?
Sign Builder Illustrated is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sign Builder Illustrated make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Subscription Revenue is the primary driver. The others are advertising Revenue and buyers Guide / Directory.
Does Sign Builder Illustrated have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sign Builder Illustrated.
What industry is Sign Builder Illustrated in?
Sign Builder Illustrated's product category is Trade Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAN, Wayfinding, Signage & Environmental Graphic Design, with a secondary code of EDAGAGAH, Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes). Its NAICS code is 541850 and its SIC code is 2741.