We know it’s a strange time to be making decisions.
Some weeks it feels like we’re moving full speed ahead — new projects, fresh inquiries, big installs. Other weeks? It’s like the brakes slammed on overnight. We’ve heard it across the board: folks are “waiting for the other shoe to drop,” unsure whether it’s tariffs, supply chain disruptions, or just the general weirdness in the air.
If you’re in charge of signage — for your building, brand, or business — we get that you’re juggling a lot right now. Budgets, timelines, expectations, quality control… and now, global trade policies too?
So here’s a straight-up look at what’s happening — and why U.S.-made signs are more than just a patriotic choice right now. They’re a smart one.
Chinese Imports Aren’t What They Used to Be
Back in the day (we’re talking pre-2020), importing signs or materials from China was a no-brainer for a lot of companies. It was fast(ish), cheap, and scalable. But that playbook has changed — dramatically.
Here’s what’s different:
- Tariffs are up — In 2025, the U.S. imposed tariffs up to 145% on certain imported goods from China. That’s not a typo. Even raw materials like aluminum and steel have been impacted.
- Effective costs are higher — Importing signage components now adds an average of $0.22 per dollar of goods. That may not sound like much, but across a full campaign or nationwide rollout? That’s thousands lost.
- Lead times are longer — Between port congestion and customs delays, those “cheap” signs often show up weeks late — or not at all.
- Quality has dipped — We’ve had customers come to us with horror stories: warped acrylics, faulty LEDs, inconsistent paint jobs. Overseas vendors often don’t offer the same quality controls — or warranties — we do here.
Fake “American-Made” Is on the Rise
Here’s something that’s honestly gotten out of hand lately: foreign companies pretending to be U.S. based.
They build slick websites with clean copy, American-sounding support agents (often AI chatbots), and even rent U.S. mailing addresses. But in reality? Your signs are still being produced and shipped from overseas — with all the delays, defects, and customer service headaches that come with it.
We’re not here to name names — but we are here to help you know what to look for.
How to Vet Your Sign Vendor in 2025
If you’re shopping around — especially during a time like this — here are a few key questions we recommend asking any signage provider:
✅ Where is your manufacturing facility located?
Ask directly. “U.S.-based” can mean a lot of things — not all of them honest.
✅ What’s your average lead time — from approval to delivery?
If it’s more than 2–3 weeks for standard signage, there’s a good chance it’s shipping from overseas.
✅ Can I see photos or videos of your production process?
A reputable shop should be proud to show you where the work is happening.
✅ What’s your warranty policy?
If they don’t offer one — or it’s buried in fine print — that’s a red flag.
✅ Do you offer customer support I can actually talk to?
Live reps. Local time zones. Human beings. It shouldn’t be too much to ask.
Why U.S.-Made Signs Make Sense Now
We’re not saying this just because we’re a U.S.-based manufacturer (though we are — and proud of it). We’re saying it because more and more clients are telling us the same thing:
“We can’t afford to wait.”
Delays are too costly. Our in-house production team ships faster — and we’ll give you real delivery estimates up front.
“We need reliability.”
Our defect rate is under 1%. If something does go wrong? You can reach us — and we’ll fix it. No international mystery support loops.
“We want to buy local — but we also need ROI.”
We get it. That’s why we stay price-competitive, offer bulk discounts, and build signs to last — not just look good on day one.
From Our Side of the Fence
We’ve been making improvements on our end too. Faster website. Mobile-optimized quote forms. Better follow-up sequences. We even ran a campaign offering 15% discounts to clients who’d reached out but hadn’t pulled the trigger yet — just to make things easier.
But more than anything, we’re doubling down on clarity and trust.
This is a weird time. And if you’re tasked with making signage decisions that affect your brand’s image — we want to make that decision easier, not harder.
Final Thought
Look, we’re not here to bash anyone overseas. But the global situation is what it is: costs are up, quality is uneven, and what used to be a safe shortcut might now be a risky longshot.
We make every sign right here in the U.S. — start to finish.
Our team is hands-on. Our standards are high. And our word means something.
So if you’re looking to move forward — even just to explore options — we’d love to talk.
📞 Let’s chat → Request a Quote
Thanks for reading,
— The Letters & Signs Team
