The Amazing Miniature Sign Builds of Route 9 Signs!

Miniature sign maker Chris Raley--aka Route 9 Signs--brings a selection of his beautiful sign replicas to the studio to walk us through his build processes and journey as a miniaturist and artist. We take a close-up look at two new San Francisco-inspired signs Chris made this month, and discuss the various ways he replicates vintage neon and the mid-century roadside aesthetic at small scale!
Follow Chris's miniature sign builds at / route9signs and / route9signs
Shot and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
Photos courtesy Route 9 Signs
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#miniatures #signmaking

[@tested]

Follow Chris's miniature sign builds at instagram.com/route9signs/ and twitter.com/route9signs

[@Route9Signs]

Norm thank you so much for having me over!!

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

Your work is astounding, sir! Thank you for sharing with us all!

[@Route9Signs]

@@Bad_Wolf_Media thank you!

[@Route9Signs]

@@Bad_Wolf_Media there it is!

[@nicholasbodnar7361]

Congrats Chris! Your work is always amazing! @TechEdFireman here FYI...

[@myfavoritesith]

I love your work. I have worked in the sign industry for 38 years. I appreciate your attention to detail. Especially the dimensional aspects of neon and the raised dimensional aspects. What we would call Channel Letters and Routed and Push Thru Graphics. Just amazing work.

[@jimmydiresta]

Incredible Chris!! happy for you 👊🏼👊🏼

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you sir!!!!! I appreciate that

[@jonathanwhittenberg3051]

Chris is the man! Very creative, kind, and helpful person. The creative community is lucky to have him!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you sir. I feel the same about you and your work!

[@wheelitzr2]

You can hear the excitement in his voice as he is talking about signs.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you. Signs and my art have opened up my world to some amazing people and experiences so the excitement and appreciation is genuine. It’s been life changing.

[@jamesapowell3506]

I’m proud to call Chris a friend! Making Fresno proud!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you for opening your doors to me and inspiring me to be a better artist. You’re responsible for much of what you see in this video and for the video happening in the first place. Thank you sir it’s an honor to call you a friend.

[@acowboysway]

This guy is amazing! And he sounds like a great dad to boot. What an inspiration.

[@jeffreyhaines]

Chris' work is astounding. What an artist!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@nhh12345]

Chris is a great speaker! Really enjoying listening to him.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@DougKeeling]

I’ve seen Chris’s stuff on Facebook for years. His work is incredible, and I’m thrilled to hear more from him on video!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much!!! This was filmed less than 24 hours ago and it’s so surreal to see.

[@philharris8130]

Wonderful to see Chris's wprk showcsed here. He's a true artist and a really great guy :-)

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks Phil!!!

[@Ivanovitch2885]

The fidelity and attention to detail makes these moments frozen in time. These are amazing.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@MakeTinkerShare]

Chris is seriously such an amazing artist! Complete inspiration! Learning more about his process is greatly appreciated and so glad you had him on to share these works of art! ❤️

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much my friend. Thanks for all the support you’ve shown my work and me personally.

[@carlc5748]

"Signs, signs, everywhere a sign, blocking up the scenery, messin' with my mind, do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"....artist: 5 man Electrical Band 1970. Well, in Chris's case we'll make an exception. What beautiful artwork!!

[@WallMan1013]

I’ve admired Chris for so long for his amazing work! Amazing family man and artist!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

That was fantastic, Chris. You do an amazing job explaining your work and process - which is a talent itself. Kudos to Norm as well for being such a generous and thoughtful presenter. He is very good at just letting the artist speak and the passion for the work comes through.

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks Dave. Norm is an amazing talent and he really made me feel at ease.

[@Voirreydirector]

Oh my goodness, please don’t ever apologize for adapting and progressing your skill set as a result of personal challenges! A silly sign from my youth: the local laundromat was supposed to be called Norge Laundry Village, but only Org Village lit up. My older sister told me that giant trolls came out to do their laundry there!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much. And Norge Balls are my FAVORITE!

[@dean_duplantis]

That Chris can master so many different materials and techniques to make these signs makes is so much more impressive. Always enjoy seeing your work!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you Dean. Making these signs has exposed me to some amazing people and really impacted my life in a massively positive way. I’m lucky to be able to do this. #mozhc

[@dcallan812]

GREAT models and a great guy. I wake up and thank whatever's out there for, waking up, my sight, and my health Its working fr my sight thats just aging normally. I really feel for people who make great art and are slowly loosing sight. 2x👍

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much. I’m lucky that things have stabilized in recent years. They didn’t improve but the rate of decay in my vision has really slowed.

[@dcallan812]

@@Route9SignsYour welcome, Im so pleased ts slowed, all sorts of bits start wilting and dropping off once you get past 20 . Thank you for sharing it with us through Norm. 👍

[@Nueztoy]

I said it before and I'll say it again, What a great host Norm is, he's insightful, articulated and affable, he makes the guest or interviewee get comfortable enough to go deep into technical explanations, which is the good stuff we want to hear from this amazing builders.

[@Route9Signs]

I could talk shpp with Norm all day long. It was an absolutely amazing experience and he is the reason.

[@BearMaked]

Chris is an awesome dude! So glad to see him on a platform like this talking about his passion.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!!!! #mozhc !!!

[@DeadriseWoodCrafts]

Chris is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever gotten to know. His pieces are absolutely beautiful works if art.

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks Emmett. I cherish the tree sculpture I got from you.

[@davebauerart]

I love the excitement and all the details Chris includes in describing the process!

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks Dave. I really do enjoy this plus I’ve met some amazing folks like yourself because of it.

[@timfaught9766]

Really happy for you Chris! Good interview!

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks Tim!

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Why are miniatures always fascinating? ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@stevenebullock]

Been a fan on Instagram for years. Grew up passing the Circus Liquor sign driving down Burbank Blvd so his work really hits home. Fellow A&P too! Looking forward to more!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!!!

[@JohnKuiphoff]

Chris is a huge inspiration. THANK YOU for having him showcase his work on Tested. This was amazing.

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks John!!

[@MakeForLifeWorkshop]

So happy to see Chris' work displayed like this. Thanks for going into so much detail about the process. I learned a ton!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you for watching!!! Makers don’t keep secrets so I tried to honestly spill the beans on how I do what I do.

[@mkegadgets4380]

This is gotta be my favorite of all your videos Norm. Please seek out other builders that have talent equal to this guy. This guy should have a KZbin channel.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much!! I DO have a KZbin channel but it’s like 2 years outdated. I’m the father of a child with severe special needs and filming/editing is just one more layer of difficulty and it’s not really necessary for me at this point. I share all my work over on IG if you want to follow along over there. Thanks for watching and for the huge compliment.

[@mkegadgets4380]

I just went and watched all your videos. You are very talented, very innovative. Please consider doing one video saying every other month. Please share your talent with others. Please please please.

[@Disney247]

Chris is such a cool dude! It’s so cool to see him get more exposure! He’s such a nice guy irl and I love his passion for what he does.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you! Hope we cross paths again one day

[@TheGrantAlexander]

Love hearing about Chris' process, especially the iterative approach to making. Thanks for interviewing him! 👍

[@Route9Signs]

Grant!! Thanks man!!!

[@johnmcdonald489]

I absolutely loved this video. I’ve always liked vintage signs and scale modelling. This is a great subject matter!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@tinkeringrocks]

WAY TO GO Chris!!!!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you sir!!

[@DenisRyan]

I've been following Chris on Twitter for years! So great to see him and his incredible work on Tested!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!!!!

[@johnballmore5484]

What a great video! I love both Chris Raley and his signs. Really interesting and pleasant guy :)

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much I really appreciate that.

[@julianbeesley5059]

A pleasure to listen to

[@olsonspeed]

A skilled craftsman working in a very unique art form. Thanks for the interview.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much!

[@olsonspeed]

@@Route9Signs Best sucess on your art museum showing, I think it will be a big hit.

[@genghisbunny]

Great conversation to watch. Hope you do more like this.

[@Flounser91396]

That was so much fun to watch, I very much enjoyed seeing the progression of Chris’s techniques over the past few years!

[@Route9Signs]

Schlegel? Thank you sir!!

[@Flounser91396]

@@Route9Signs It is, and you’re welcome sir!

[@BKRcustommotorbikes]

Chris is insanely talented. Congrats on the evolution mate. Your work is inspirational

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you sir!!

[@Brendan945]

Great to see you here Chris! Love your work!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!!

[@jasonrackawack9369]

As a signmaker for 25 years, a model maker for40 years, and a model railroader for 15 years.....I absolutely love these!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you! I do my utmost to honor the original design elements because they’re someone’s work/effort and legacy in some cases. Thanks for watching and for the kind words.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

@@Route9Signs Thanks for the inspiration!....I had a similar idea for a few years now to make desk size models of the old 50s era neon motel signs in Wildwood NJ, it is always a back burner project for me.....glad to see someone with such tallent making something like this a reality, your work is really great!

[@Route9Signs]

@@jasonrackawack9369 wildwood is an amazing place for neon. My sign nerd friends have all been there. I’m just waiting for one of them to commission one!! Thanks for watching and for reaching out.

[@PaulMiles1]

I know how nervous I would be if I was presenting my stuff on that table in that studio. Respect to Chris for being confident enough to really talk about his amazing stuff.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you. I spent 2 weeks prior barely able to sleep between making those two signs/being too excited to relax. Norm is the absolute best at putting you at ease and just chatting so when we started rolling it felt like I was just chatting with a friend.

[@jasonirving1610]

So many amazing artists out there

[@Route9Signs]

Agreed. I’ve benefitted from them sharing what they do with a newbie like me to I’m trying to repay that.

[@RjWolf3000]

You two should team up and add some of your mini neon LED strips to a build.

[@justinchapman8844]

He needs an etsy. I really want one of these.

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks!! I don’t keep a stock of signs on hand and most of what you see in my IG feed were commissioned and are out in the world. I did consider an Etsy shop back at the beginning but I preferred the custom made approach.

[@fjr2go]

What an artist ..... wow!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@dreamers2makersproject]

Brilliant and fascinating to learn about Chris Raley's Route 9 Signs / Tested never disappoints

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!!!

[@charlottethehousegoat5960]

Absolutely phenomenal work! Really really beautiful ❣️

[@RynoDBones]

Harold Butler would approve of this.

[@JuniperandSixth]

Amazing work Chris! Love getting to see your process

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!!

[@ghajduk9512]

Amazing work from an amazing and humble guy. Chris just kills it. Great interview and video.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you sir. I really appreciate your support and friendship.

[@666lupine666]

That looks clean. Color me jealous.

[@joshcrews5718]

Way to go, Chris!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you sir!! #nightnurselove

[@robbvaules]

I own two of Chris's pieces and love them. He is great to work with.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you my friend.

[@Maj7]

What outstanding craft! Such Talent!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Beautiful work with great construction details! Thanks guys, this was wonderful. ✌ 😃

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@donalddenning2383]

Great work. The twinning of signs is a cool thing

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you it’s one of my favorite things to do.

[@tobynobel5671]

Fantastic work! I really like it all. I know exactly what he is referring to with the projection lighting at the Neon museum in Vegas. That will look great on miniatures.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you! I’ve chatted a bit with the man who created Brilliant! in Vegas and he liked the idea too!

[@thetimesink196]

Fantastic! You nailed Christy's! ...and thanks for the Cedar Lanes memory!

[@Route9Signs]

I totally dropped Christy’s Donuts as I was twinning it. Need to fix it! Oh and I need Cedar Lanes for my own collection.

[@thetimesink196]

@@Route9Signs ...and The Starlight entrance is the one at Olive and Clovis?

[@Route9Signs]

@@thetimesink196 Sunnyside? Fresno had a Starlite where Fashion Fair sits now

[@thetimesink196]

​@@Route9Signs Ah! Yeah, the memory gets fuzzy... My brain jumped to the old Sunnyside when I saw "Swap Meet" on the marquee.

[@mtparry]

Fantastic video - he seems like a natural communicator too, how about getting him on the podcast??

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Seconded!

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you so much! I’m a credentialed (but not working) teacher and I’ve been an autism advocate for years so I’ve had some practice speaking in unusual situations. I’m glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!

[@Route9Signs]

@@ThunderMesaStudio thank you sir!!

[@Ragnarok043]

Ace of Base approves!

[@bucknasty176]

Awesome!!!!!!!

[@corrinastanley125]

Very cool art, thanks guys.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Wonderful setup thanks sir 👍😊.

[@GeorgeMadeThis]

So cool to learn so much about the process!!

[@Route9Signs]

Thanks George!! Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to do a video like this.

[@BrockGrimes]

Awesome stuff. I've always liked things like this. Diorama's and Trains were my hobby for a short time, hope to get back into it.

[@Route9Signs]

You definitely should get back into it! And thanks for the IG follow

[@MIKES0029]

Very cool

[@muffysvlogs6045]

Amazing work.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you!

[@Pygar2]

Love to see him do the Bates Motel sign... I suspect the Parkette Drive-In sign in Lexington KY would be beyond him...

[@BrianAndrewParker]

Such beautiful work! Seeing this might push me to finally get a laser...

[@Route9Signs]

Do it! If I can offer any advice or tips please reach out over on my IG page.

[@DoomsdayAdam777]

shout out Fresno, CA!

[@Route9Signs]

Yes!!

[@78Soko]

this is so cool

[@nitramsnilloc2361]

Take my money!!!!!!!!!!

[@Route9Signs]

Ok!

[@OfficialSamuelC]

Awesome

[@GIBBO4182]

I bet he could make a great fallout style table top game board!

[@Route9Signs]

One day!!!!

[@josray2557]

you should have some tabletop terrain makers on. like Knarb makes or maybe mini bricks.

[@ninjatt1]

im gonna use this as a guide to make a fallout "New Vegas" sign

[@Route9Signs]

My daughter has already requested one!

[@ninjatt1]

@@Route9Signs in that case, im looking forward to a indepth tutuorial

[@Route9Signs]

@@ninjatt1 follow me on IG it’ll be there when I do it!

[@raidengl]

Those are so very cool. If only I didn't have a 3 year old who would destroy the sign if I bought one.

[@Route9Signs]

I have 5 cats, 2 dogs and a 15 year old with autism. I get it.

[@patricksanders858]

"Sign, Signs everywhere there's signs, blocking up the scenery, breaking my mind. Do this Don't do that, Can't you read the Signs?"

[@amberlindsey7112]

I love this! I have been a crafter for years but recently found the world of miniatures and made some PokeBall terrariums. His work is amazing! I would like to know how you paint the polystyrene thought unless when you buy it there is a difference from a yard sale sign. I have used alcohol inks on those signs but they are a slick surface so wondering how well paint would stick or of there is something different to prime it with.

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you! I use a good primer on the raw styrene and either brush or airbrush some quality acrylic paints onto that. It seems to work pretty well.

[@davemeier7016]

Apollo liquors is from Austin , MN

[@Route9Signs]

Thank you. My brain was unable to conjure that info at the appropriate time. Nerves.

[@wondahquinn6825]

Very cool! I wonder if the signs scale with 1/6 figures! I’ll start following.

[@noyes2317]

I play clash royale with Chris. Lol. Great guy.

[@Route9Signs]

Yeah you do!

[@incogneko5]

2:48 I'm pretty sure the whole state of Utah doesn't like signs, since everyone tends to ignore them.

[@Route9Signs]

I did throw out a blanket statement right off the bay didn’t I?

[@incogneko5]

@@Route9Signs To be fair, everyone SHOULD love signs!

[@LandonLovette]

You should 3D scan them and sell the digital assets too!

[@Route9Signs]

My “digital assets” are really a mess lol

[@lukemarsh7599]

Is that a randomland hat in the Las Vegas sign photo?

[@Route9Signs]

It is! Justin is a friend of mine! Check his DesignerCon 2021 video. He stops by my booth.

[@TheCoon1975]

If you could figure out a convincing way to get some of those to illuminate the neon that would be awesome.

[@Route9Signs]

Trust me. I’ve tried it all. Convincing is achievable but the lifespan is extremely fickle. I’d rather not add an unknown but soon expiration date to a key feature of a piece.

[@TheCoon1975]

@@Route9Signs Good points for sure, and I'm sorry I made my comment before the end of the video where you explained exactly that. The only thing I could imagine was maybe a tiny LED on each end of the clear acrylic but I'm not sure how consistent the light would be across it and that's a lot of tiny wiring to deal with, especially if you're having trouble with keeping hands steady, and at my age I'm also way too familiar with that challenge. These are amazing regardless, thanks for sharing!

[@Route9Signs]

@@TheCoon1975 thank you! I’ve experimented with EL, Laser, Side glow fiber optic, backlighting. You name it. Nothing has worked well enough for me yet. Maybe there’s something out there I haven’t tried yet. Thanks for taking a moment to chat about it!

[@vernhoke7730]

Unfortunately that Circus Liquors sign, or a similar one to it,, is no longer standing in Middletown, New Jersey. Stood along State Highway 35 north for decades.

[@Route9Signs]

I think you’re thinking about the Circus Drive In sign that recently came down. I’ve made/love that one too but the Circus Liquor sign I recreated still stands proudly and loudly on a street corner in North Hollywood.

[@vernhoke7730]

@@Route9Signs My mistake. I haven't been up that way in a long time. There were rumblings of it coming down, the one in Middletown, NJ, but I guess they changed their mind. That sign has also been in a couple of Kevin Smith movies as well. As a kid in the late sixties or early seventies, after my old came back from Vietnam, we made a trip to the Circus Drive in. I think that spot is another mini mall, like there aren't enough in New Jersey.

[@Route9Signs]

@@vernhoke7730 I have sign nerd friends nationwide so they keep me in the loop on the status of these signs. Moon Motel in Howell NJ is my absolute favorite and I didn’t bring my model of it to this shoot. Wish I would have.

[@vernhoke7730]

@@Route9Signs I've passed by that sign a couple hundred times.

[@1983Cvestal]

Is there a way to buy a sign or get a custom or order?

[@Route9Signs]

I’m working on quite a bit of gallery stuff at the moment. Shoot me a dm over on my Instagram though I’m always willing to discuss a potential piece.

[@ThatVideoGuyTom]

His website doesn't work on my mac 😞

[@WilliamBlakers]

When he says a week to make, is he talking a couple of hours each day, or, a 40 hour week ?

[@Route9Signs]

I work when my son’s schedule/issues allow. I was on a deadline for those two pieces so I didn’t waste any opportunity to work on them. If I had to put a number to them, 5-7 hours a day for 13 days to make both. Of course there is time there where I’m printing or waiting for glue or paint to dry or asphalt to solidify. Hard to say exactly.

[@WilliamBlakers]

@@Route9Signs thanks for that. Interesting to know how long things take. Beautiful signs by the way.

[@Route9Signs]

@@WilliamBlakers thank you!!

[@AvoidingD.Angel1987]

Mega based

[@sietediezyocho8684]

I love this stuff, looks amazing. But I gotta say , as a miniature artist myself...Im disappointed when I hear "Digital design" and laser cutting and 3D printing. Thats basically cheating. I see how Norm tried to help him out by saying that the signs were "Basically scratch built" and talk about how much was done by hand,....Sorry, theyre not. 🤷‍♀ May not be a popular opinion, Im aware...Stuff looks great and Im sure hes a nice guy...

[@Route9Signs]

You do things your way. I do things my way. I don’t apologize for my chosen technique and I certainly don’t knock other artists for how they choose to work. I’ve got some pretty serious vision issues. Lucky to not be blind if I’m being 100% honest. The alternative is I don’t make art at all so I’ll unapologetically continue to do what I do the way I do it. Thanks for watching.

[@slugbiker]

if you watched and listened to the video you would have heard that the maker has vision and physical limitations that make 3D printing a valuable tool for him to continue his work. Please take your gatekeeping elsewhere.

[@Route9Signs]

@@slugbiker Thank you so much. My retinas are an absolute mess and I feel like being able to overcome that and do what I do is one of my biggest accomplishments in life. Appreciate the backup.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

I'll bet you think CG animation is all done by computer too. Dude, an artist who does not avail themselves of the best available tools for their craft is a fool.

[@JasonMaggini]

Siete Diez Y Ocho - Take your gatekeeping elsewhere, it is not welcome.

[@2H80vids]

For such a niche, specialised hobby, there are just 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 possibilities for customising signs like these. Chris mentioned lighting effects but animation must have crossed his mind too. Combine the two, you've got animated lighting effects and I'm sure sound could be used too. With the skills and patience that Chris has, he's only limited by his imagination.