Artistic Signs & Neon, Inc. started its amazing journey through the lives and businesses of many Joliet residents and entrepreneurs over 40 years ago.  Since its birth, this family owned and operated business has grown from a one man sign shop into one of Will County’s staples in the business world. 

Long ago when signs weren’t promised “next day” deliveries, everything was done by hand by true artists.  There weren’t sign computers and digital printers to make changes and adjustments in a moments notice.  When a sign was ordered by a client, its message and artistic potential was put into the hands of local artists.  Designs were hand drawn and sketched out with colored pencils for a visual image prior to laying the artwork out by hand onto the sign substrate. 

Then the time consuming process of hand-painting and lettering would begin.  Colors were chosen and images were fine tuned by the artists as they saw fit.  Once the sign had its first color or coat of paint, there was a waiting period for the paint to dry.  If the sign had a full range of colors, you can just imagine how long it took to complete one sign.  There was a trust that was built between the client and the artist that was unspoken yet powerful.  Years ago things were different in the sign business, if the artist saw fit to change something in order to improve the impact of the sign; he had the ability to do so without needing signatures, disclaimers and consent like these days. 

Times began to change and clients wanted their products faster, faster, and faster.  Sign computers were introduced into the sign industry and it was like a whole new world!   A client would order a sign on Monday and could get it by Tuesday! Since all artwork is done on computers, this enables us to create a quality sign with a design that is reproducible time and time again without variation.  Once this change in the industry began it was like wildfire.  Most sign companies quickly invested in a sign computer to keep their clients, in order to stay in business, rather than let their past efforts of building a business fade fast by not keeping up with technology.  Artistic Signs jumped on the band wagon and made a major investment in a sign program and plotter as well.  Dedicated clients were pleased with the quick turnover of their orders.  Over the past few years Artistic Signs & Neon, Inc. has taken on several new aspects of the business.   

Artistic Signs became Artistic Signs & Neon, Inc. with the addition of offering the expertise of an in-house bender of custom neon in 2000.  Other newly added products include electrical sign cabinets, channel letters in neon or the highly economical L.E.D., digital display units and more.  High volume demands required the hiring of new employees very quickly.  The sign shop grew from two employees of which were also the owners, to a full work force of five new employees.  We realized at that time that we didn’t want to compromise quality for quantity.  We r-evaluated our business plan and decided that we preferred to grow over time rather than quickly which could increase the chances of failure.  If we couldn’t handle the volume we were promising to put out, we would risk the integrity of our work and loose all of our regular clientele. 

The new business plan worked out well, regulars continue to flow in on a consistent basis and new clientele want to do work with the best, Artistic.  Consistently faithful clients such as The City of Joliet and all of its municipalities, Kipling Development, Village of Channahon, Mobil Oil, and many other reputable developers and business in the surrounding areas to continue to keep Artistic Signs & Neon, Inc. extremely busy!  Working closely with licensed electricians Artistic Signs makes the purchase of a large ticket item effortless and easy for their clients.   New hot items in high demand are the digital display units.  By the end of 2005, after working with the top manufacturer of digital displays, Artistic Signs & Neon, Inc. had installed their first three new display units within three months and is eager about many new potential displays on order right now. 

There is one thing for sure, the future is very bright for Artistic Signs & Neon, Inc.  A team of qualified employees help make us the best!  We look forward to many years of serving Joliet and all of its surrounding areas as we have done for the past 43 years!