How to Paint a Grocery and Retail Sign

Creating bold, eye-catching hand-painted signs is a timeless way to add personality and charm to your grocery store, butcher shop, bakery, or deli. Whether you’re announcing a fresh deal or labeling a specialty product, learning how to paint a grocery and retail sign will help your displays stand out and drive customer attention. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, tools, and techniques for creating professional retail signage.

Sign making inks examples

Why Hand-Painted Signs Still Work

Hand-painted signs are a staple in grocery and retail environments. They communicate freshness, local personality, and a touch of craftsmanship that printed signs often lack. In high-traffic areas like butcher shops, bakeries, and deli counters, a vibrant, well-made sign can increase impulse buys and reinforce your brand identity.

Essential Supplies for Painting Grocery and Retail Signs

To create attractive and durable hand-painted signs, you’ll need high-quality materials. The good news is, everything you need can be found at Brenmar’s Sign Making Inks and Supplies.

1. Sign Making Inks

These specialized inks are formulated for vibrant color and quick drying on poster board, cardstock, and other sign materials. Brenmar offers a full selection of colors that pop, including traditional red, blue, yellow, and black—perfect for price displays and promotional messaging.

Sign Making Inks in bottles

2. Ink Kits

Ink kits provide a starter bundle of multiple ink colors, often including black and primary tones. These are ideal for stores that are beginning to paint signage regularly. Having a variety of colors allows you to build contrast and visual hierarchy in your designs.

Pen Set Only - Including Ink Well with 1” & 2” Pen (220143)

3. Pen Sets

Sign painting pen sets are designed for clean strokes and professional-quality lettering. These pens can be dipped directly into ink or refilled and are available in multiple tip widths. A proper pen set allows you to add fine details like borders, shadowing, and cursive lettering to your signs.

Pen 2 inch for Pen set (220139)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Paint a Grocery and Retail Sign

  1. Choose Your Surface: Most signs are painted on card stock, poster board, or foam core. Use bright white or pastel backgrounds for maximum ink contrast.
  2. Sketch Your Layout: Lightly draw guides using pencil for margins and text alignment. Decide your price placement and product name format.
  3. Select Your Inks and Pens: Use vibrant colors from your ink kit to catch the customer’s eye. Black or red is usually used for pricing, while blue or green is great for product names.
  4. Paint with Purpose: Use bold strokes for main messaging (like “Fresh Ground Beef” or “Sourdough Loaf”). Use smaller tip pens for fine details or decorative borders.
  5. Let It Dry: Allow signs to dry fully before displaying to prevent smudging. Most sign inks dry quickly but it’s best to give them 10–15 minutes.

Tips for Butcher Shops, Bakeries, and Deli Counters

  • Butcher Shop Signs: Use bold red and black ink combinations to signal fresh meat or special cuts. Include cut names and price per pound prominently.
  • Bakery Signs: Pastel backgrounds and warm ink tones (yellow, brown, soft blue) pair well with baked goods and promote a cozy, artisanal feel.
  • Deli Signage: Highlight daily specials, sandwiches, and combo deals using varied font sizes and contrasting colors to draw attention.

See examples of Hand-Painted Grocery Store Signs or click on the images below too see more examples

Where to Buy Sign Making Supplies

For everything you need to get started, visit the full collection of sign making inks, ink kits, and pen sets at Brenmar. Their quality products are trusted by retailers across the country to make professional-grade, eye-catching signs that last.

Shop Brenmar Logo

Final Thoughts

Learning how to paint a grocery and retail sign is a valuable skill that adds personality and promotional power to your store. With the right inks, tools, and a little creativity, you can create compelling signs for your butcher shop, bakery, or deli that customers will notice and remember.

Ready to get started? Shop sign inks and tools at Brenmar and start painting your retail success today!