Company History

Innovative Signs, Inc. began over 23 years ago with a 1/4 page display ad in the March/April 1984 issue of Case and Comment, a magazine for legal professionals. Company president Bart H. Baker was finishing his final semester at Purdue University, the business was entirely mail-order, and our only product was DuraBronze plaques. Wearing all the hats, Bart mailed information packets during the week and spent weekends manufacturing plaques in a facility common to the beginnings of most small businesses: a 2-car garage in his parents' home. Law firms nationwide, many of which remain customers to this day, reacted enthusiastically to DuraBronze. Their early orders set the stage for Innovative Signs, Inc. becoming the Professional Plaque Specialists we are today. With the addition of Cast Bronze and Aluminum plaques in the early ‘90s, Etched metal plaques in the mid ‘90s, and Engraved plaques in 2004, our product line expanded while at the same time remaining focused on the timeless beauty of metal signage. It wasn’t long before our products were being used in all 50 states, several US territories, and foreign countries. Our customer base, originally consisting almost entirely of legal professionals, quickly grew to include professionals from all walks of life, as well as corporations, city and county governments, developers, management companies, educational institutions, churches, historical societies, homeowner’s associations, etc. Most importantly, however, are the attributes that have remained the same over time. Friendly, helpful designers answer our phones (not an automated answering system). We take the time to listen and understand the unique requirements of your project. We provide layouts and quotes before you order, at no charge or obligation. And we stand behind our products 100%. Experience has shown us what’s important to our customers. This has shaped our business for the past 23 years, and will continue to shape it in the future as well.