Outdoor signage does a lot of heavy lifting. It represents your brand. It directs customers. It makes your business easy to find, day or night, rain or shine. But in a city like Los Angeles—where summer heat, UV exposure, seasonal rains, and coastal winds are all part of the package—durability is just as important as design.
At CR&A Custom, we’ve installed thousands of outdoor signs across Southern California over the past 30 years. From street pole banners in East Los Angeles to wall-mounted signs in South Central to wrapped vehicles at Dodger Stadium, we’ve seen what works when the weather elements take over.
So if you’re investing in new outdoor signage—or your old graphics are fading, peeling, or buckling—this guide is for you. Here’s what you need to know to weatherproof your signage and how CR&A manages every step of the process to make sure your graphics look good and last long.
Why Weatherproofing Outdoor Signs Matters
Let’s start with the obvious: outdoor signage is exposed. Sun, wind, rain, smog, sprinklers—these things can degrade even high-end prints if they’re not properly produced and installed.
Here’s what’s at risk without proper planning:
Fading and discoloration due to UV exposure
Peeling edges and failed adhesives in high heat
Warping, bubbling, or cracking from temperature shifts
Water damage from poor sealing or incompatible materials
Rust or corrosion on hardware, fasteners, or mounting surfaces
Wind damage to banners and signs not reinforced or secured properly
Once your signage is installed, you don’t want to think about it again for a few years. Weatherproofing is what makes that possible.
It Starts With the Right Materials
At CR&A Custom, we match every project to the right materials based on exposure, elevation, substrate, and use case. Here are a few of the options we often recommend for outdoor durability:
UV-Protected Vinyl
This is the go-to for many outdoor graphics—especially banners, decals, and wall wraps. We use high-performance, outdoor-rated vinyls that include UV inhibitors to reduce fading. For extra longevity, we often apply a UV laminate for an added layer of protection.
Aluminum and Dibond
Rigid signage exposed to long-term sunlight or rain needs a substrate that won’t rust, swell, or warp. Aluminum composites (like Dibond) offer strength, a clean finish, and superior resistance to corrosion.
High-Quality Digital Inks
Our large format printers use weather-resistant inks designed to maintain color integrity under full sun and harsh outdoor conditions. Some vendors cut corners with cheap inks that look good on day one but break down within months. We don’t.
Laminates and Overlays
For signs exposed to hands, weather, or vandalism, we apply matte, gloss, or anti-graffiti laminates. These help protect the surface from scratches, UV rays, moisture, and chemicals—keeping your graphics cleaner and crisper longer.
Surface Matters: What You Mount To Counts
Weatherproofing isn’t just about what you print on—it’s about where you put it. Different surfaces require different prep and installation techniques.
Concrete or Stucco Walls
You’ll need high-tack adhesives or mechanical fasteners depending on the graphic type. In some cases, we seal the surface beforehand to prevent moisture seepage behind the graphic.
Windows or Glass Doors
We use window films specifically designed for outdoor exposure. Proper cleaning, edge sealing, and film alignment are essential—especially for storefronts facing west where UV is strongest in the afternoon.
Metal Panels or Painted Surfaces
Heat expansion and surface temperature swings are common issues. We use flexible materials and thermal-resistant adhesives to avoid bubbling or edge lifting.
We always perform a site survey before production to identify these conditions—so your signs don’t end up on the ground (or in the trash) a few months in.
Installation Techniques That Make It Last
This is where weatherproofing turns from theory to reality. CR&A Custom handles in-house installation with a trained team that understands the unique challenges of outdoor environments.
Here’s what we focus on:
Proper Surface Prep
Power washing, degreasing, sanding—whatever the surface needs to bond properly with the adhesive, we handle it. Skipping this step is the #1 cause of early failure.
Temperature Timing
Vinyl and adhesives behave differently in heat or cold. We schedule installs during ideal windows—usually early morning or late afternoon—to avoid issues like bubbling or poor adhesion.
Secure Mounting
For rigid signs and dimensional lettering, we use corrosion-resistant screws, standoffs, and adhesives designed to hold up in outdoor conditions. For banners, we use reinforced hems, grommets, and tension systems to withstand wind.
Edge Sealing
In windy or wet areas, we often apply edge-sealing tape or clear coat at the edges of a vinyl graphic to prevent moisture from getting underneath.
Bonus: Don’t Forget the Permits
Especially in Los Angeles, some types of exterior signage require permits or approvals—especially if it’s facing a public street, mounted to a building exterior, or illuminated. CR&A Custom can handle this for you. We’re familiar with city requirements, landlord specs, and signage code.
Trying to skip this step can lead to fines, removal notices, or rework. Don’t risk it.
Common Weatherproofing Mistakes (And How We Avoid Them)
Unfortunately, we get a lot of calls from people looking to fix someone else’s install. Here’s what usually went wrong:
They used indoor vinyl outdoors. (It faded and peeled.)
They installed graphics in direct sunlight. (It bubbled within 24 hours.)
They didn’t seal the edges. (Water got in and mold formed behind the print.)
They skipped the site survey. (Materials were wrong. The wall was textured. Nothing fit.)
We avoid these because we control the entire process—from design and print to installation and follow-up. No guesswork. No hand-offs. No gaps in communication.
How CR&A Custom Handles It All
We’re not just printers—we’re signage partners. Our process includes:
Consultation & Site Survey
We walk the space, take measurements, evaluate surfaces, and listen to your goals.Material Selection
We recommend the right substrate, adhesive, laminate, and finish based on exposure, durability goals, and budget.Printing
Everything is produced in-house at our Los Angeles facility using top-grade equipment, outdoor-rated inks, and quality control at every step.Installation
Our crew installs it, weatherproofs it, and signs off when it’s done right.Follow-Up
If something ever goes wrong—we’re local, and we stand behind our work.
The Bottom Line
If your signage lives outdoors, you need more than a pretty design. You need it built and installed to handle sun, wind, water, heat, and everything else SoCal throws its way. CR&A Custom has the knowledge, the materials, and the team to get it right—so your investment lasts longer and looks better over time.
Want to make sure your outdoor signage holds up?
Contact us to schedule a site walk or talk through your project. Or check out our large format printing services to see what’s possible when you print with pros who plan for the real world.
