Sign estimating software exists because manual quoting doesn’t scale. Every sign shop owner knows the drill: customer sends a vague enquiry, you spend 20 minutes calculating materials, labour, and overhead, then send a quote that might never get a response. Multiply that by 30 enquiries per week, and you’ve lost a full workday to quotes that may never convert.
The right sign quoting software changes this equation. Automated pricing means instant quotes. Consistent calculations mean no more underpricing jobs or losing customers to inflated estimates. Integration with ecommerce means customers can see real-time pricing before they even contact you.
This comparison covers 8 sign estimating software options, from specialised tools built for sign shops to general business software adapted for the industry. Each has distinct strengths depending on whether you need customer-facing automation, internal quote management, or full shop management.
What to Look For in Sign Estimating Software
Before comparing specific tools, here’s what actually matters for sign shop estimation.
Pricing Model Flexibility
Sign pricing isn’t simple multiplication. A 20-character neon sign in script font uses more tubing than the same text in a compact sans-serif. Channel letters have different costs per letter size. Dimensional signs involve material thickness, backing options, and mounting hardware.
Good sign estimating software handles:
- Per-character or per-unit pricing for letter signs
- Area-based pricing for flat signs and banners
- Material-specific rates for different substrates
- Size tier pricing with volume discounts
- Complexity multipliers for intricate designs
Software that only handles simple quantity × price calculations will frustrate you within weeks.
Customer-Facing vs Internal Quoting
This is the fundamental split in sign estimating software. Some tools generate quotes that your sales team sends manually. Others let customers see pricing in real-time as they design.
Internal quoting works when you have dedicated sales staff, custom requirements need discussion, or you prefer human touchpoints before commitment. Shopvox and SignTracker excel here.
Customer-facing pricing works when you want to automate sales, reduce quote-to-close time, or sell directly through ecommerce. Sign Customiser specialises in this approach.
Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on your sales process and customer expectations.
Integration Capabilities
Isolated software creates data silos. Your estimating tool should connect to:
- Ecommerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce) for online sales
- Accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero) for invoicing
- Production systems for job handoff
- CRM tools for customer management
Some integrations are native; others require Zapier or custom development. Check what’s available before committing.
Ease of Setup and Maintenance
Complex software with steep learning curves costs more than the subscription price. Factor in:
- Initial setup time (hours vs days vs weeks)
- Training requirements for staff
- Ongoing maintenance and updates
- Support quality when things break
The most feature-rich tool is worthless if it takes three months to configure properly.
8 Sign Estimating Software Options Compared
1. Sign Customiser
Best for: Sign shops wanting customer-facing, real-time pricing on their ecommerce store
Sign Customiser approaches estimation differently than traditional sign shop software. Instead of internal quote generation, it provides a customer-facing configurator where shoppers design their sign and see instant pricing.
How it works: Customers select their sign type, enter text, choose colours and materials, and see the price update live. When they add to cart, the order includes full specifications and production-ready files. No quote requests, no back-and-forth, no sales team involvement for standard orders.
Pricing models supported:
- Fixed width with character-count tiers
- Fixed height calculations
- Material length pricing (precise font path calculations)
- Frame-fit area pricing
Key strengths:
- Real-time customer pricing eliminates quote delays
- AI Sign Designer generates production specs from uploaded logos
- Native Shopify integration and WooCommerce embedding
- Webhook subscriptions for production automation
- Customers see exactly what they’re buying before checkout
Limitations:
- Focused on ecommerce; not designed for phone/email quotes
- Less suitable for highly custom, one-off projects requiring consultation
- No built-in job tracking or shop scheduling
Pricing: $29-299/month based on order volume, with all features included on every plan. No feature gating between tiers.
Best fit: Sign shops selling standardised products online who want to automate the entire quote-to-order process.
2. Shopvox
Best for: Full-service sign shops needing comprehensive shop management with estimation
Shopvox is the established player in sign shop management software, combining CRM, quoting, production tracking, and invoicing in one platform. It’s built specifically for sign and print shops.
How it works: Your team creates quotes using product templates with configured pricing. Customers receive PDF quotes via email. Approved quotes convert to jobs with production workflows.
Key strengths:
- Comprehensive shop management beyond just quoting
- Strong production scheduling and job tracking
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Established in the industry with extensive documentation
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve than simpler tools
- Customer-facing pricing requires additional setup
- Higher price point for full functionality
- Mobile experience less polished than desktop
Pricing: Starts at $99/month (Express); full-featured Pro plan $199/month+
Best fit: Established sign shops with multiple employees who need end-to-end shop management, not just estimation.
3. SignTracker
Best for: Small to mid-size sign shops wanting simple, sign-specific quoting
SignTracker focuses on the essentials: creating quotes, tracking jobs, and managing customers. It’s less comprehensive than Shopvox but faster to learn and cheaper to run.
How it works: Build product templates with pricing formulas. Generate quotes from templates. Track jobs through production stages. Invoice when complete.
Key strengths:
- Purpose-built for sign shops
- Quicker setup than enterprise alternatives
- Solid mobile app for on-site quotes
- Reasonable pricing for smaller operations
Limitations:
- Fewer advanced features than Shopvox
- Limited integrations with other software
- No real-time customer-facing pricing
- Smaller user community
Pricing: $29-79/month depending on features and users
Best fit: Owner-operated sign shops or small teams wanting dedicated sign software without enterprise complexity.
4. Cyrious Software (Control)
Best for: Large sign operations needing enterprise-grade management
Cyrious Control is the enterprise option, designed for sign shops with significant revenue, multiple departments, and complex workflows.
How it works: Comprehensive ERP-style system covering estimation, production, purchasing, inventory, and accounting. Requires substantial setup and typically professional implementation.
Key strengths:
- Handles complex, multi-step production workflows
- Strong inventory and purchasing management
- Detailed job costing for profitability analysis
- Scalable for growing operations
Limitations:
- Significant investment in money and implementation time
- Overkill for smaller shops
- Dated interface compared to modern cloud tools
- Steeper learning curve
Pricing: Contact for pricing; expect enterprise-level costs
Best fit: Sign companies with $1M+ revenue needing comprehensive business management.
5. Estimate Rocket
Best for: Service businesses wanting fast, professional proposals
Estimate Rocket isn’t sign-specific but handles service-based estimation well. It’s popular across trades and adapts to sign work.
How it works: Create proposal templates with line items and pricing. Generate professional PDF proposals. Customers approve online. Basic job tracking follows.
Key strengths:
- Clean, modern interface
- Fast proposal generation
- Good mobile experience
- Reasonable pricing
Limitations:
- Not sign-industry specific
- Limited production tracking
- No sign-specific pricing models (per character, material path, etc.)
- Requires customisation for sign workflows
Pricing: $19-49/month
Best fit: Sign shops doing primarily installation work or simple projects where generic estimation works.
6. JobNimbus
Best for: Sign installers doing exterior signage with field components
JobNimbus targets contractors and trades, making it useful for sign companies with significant installation work. Strong project management and field service features.
How it works: CRM-based system with lead tracking, estimation, scheduling, and invoicing. Mobile-friendly for field work.
Key strengths:
- Excellent mobile app for on-site work
- Strong scheduling and dispatch features
- Good for managing installation crews
- Integrates with QuickBooks and other tools
Limitations:
- Not designed for sign manufacturing
- Limited production tracking for fabrication
- No sign-specific pricing calculations
- Better suited to installation than production
Pricing: $25-65/month per user
Best fit: Sign installation companies with minimal in-house fabrication.
7. Print Reach (Midnight)
Best for: Wide-format print shops that also do signage
Print Reach’s Midnight MIS is designed for print shops, with strong features for wide-format and print production that apply to certain sign types.
How it works: Comprehensive MIS (Management Information System) covering estimation, production, scheduling, and accounting. Strong print-specific pricing.
Key strengths:
- Excellent for wide-format and large-format work
- Print-specific pricing calculations
- Good production scheduling
- Industry-standard in printing
Limitations:
- Print-focused rather than sign-focused
- Less suited to dimensional signs, channel letters, neon
- Substantial implementation required
- Higher price point
Pricing: Contact for pricing; typically enterprise-tier
Best fit: Print shops expanding into signage rather than traditional sign manufacturers.
8. Scoro
Best for: Creative agencies doing sign work alongside other services
Scoro is business management software for agencies and professional services. It handles project management, time tracking, invoicing, and basic estimation.
How it works: Project-based system with quotes, budgets, time tracking, and billing. Designed for service businesses rather than manufacturing.
Key strengths:
- Comprehensive business management
- Strong project tracking and profitability analysis
- Good for managing client relationships
- Modern, polished interface
Limitations:
- Not manufacturing-focused
- No sign-specific pricing models
- Overkill if you only need estimation
- Higher price for full features
Pricing: $28-71/month per user
Best fit: Design agencies or marketing firms that occasionally produce signage as part of larger projects.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Sign Customiser | Shopvox | SignTracker | Cyrious | Estimate Rocket | JobNimbus | Print Reach | Scoro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-specific pricing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Partial | No |
| Customer-facing quotes | Yes (real-time) | Limited | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Ecommerce integration | Native | Add-on | No | Limited | No | No | No | No |
| Production tracking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic | Basic | Yes | Basic |
| Job scheduling | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Basic |
| Mobile app | Via web | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Invoicing | Via ecommerce | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CRM features | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic | Yes | Basic | Yes |
| API/webhooks | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes | Limited | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
| Software | Starting Price | Mid-Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign Customiser | $29/month (volume-based, all features) | $79/month | $299/month |
| Shopvox | $99/month (Express) | $199/month (Pro) | Custom |
| SignTracker | $29/month | $49/month | $79/month |
| Cyrious | Contact | Contact | Contact |
| Estimate Rocket | $19/month | $39/month | $49/month |
| JobNimbus | $25/user/month | $45/user/month | $65/user/month |
| Print Reach | Contact | Contact | Contact |
| Scoro | $28/user/month | $42/user/month | $71/user/month |
Note: Per-user pricing (JobNimbus, Scoro) costs more as teams grow. Flat-rate pricing (Sign Customiser, Shopvox) scales better for larger teams.
Best Sign Estimating Software by Business Size
Solo Operators and Micro Shops (1-2 People)
You need fast quoting without complex setup. Every hour spent configuring software is an hour not making signs.
Recommended: Sign Customiser for ecommerce-focused shops, SignTracker for traditional quote-based selling.
Why: Both offer quick setup, reasonable pricing, and sign-specific features without enterprise complexity. Sign Customiser automates customer-facing pricing; SignTracker handles traditional quoting.
Small Sign Shops (3-10 Employees)
You have dedicated sales and production roles. Efficiency matters, but you’re not ready for enterprise systems.
Recommended: Shopvox for comprehensive management, Sign Customiser for online sales automation.
Why: Shopvox handles the full workflow from quote to production to invoice. Sign Customiser can complement Shopvox (or replace it for ecommerce) by automating online orders while Shopvox manages custom quotes.
Mid-Size Operations (10-25 Employees)
Multiple departments, complex workflows, need for detailed job costing and profitability tracking.
Recommended: Shopvox or Cyrious depending on complexity requirements.
Why: At this size, comprehensive shop management pays for itself through efficiency gains. Cyrious handles more complex operations; Shopvox offers a balance of features and usability.
Large Sign Companies (25+ Employees)
Enterprise needs: multiple locations, detailed inventory management, complex accounting integration.
Recommended: Cyrious or Print Reach for manufacturing-heavy operations.
Why: Enterprise systems handle scale, though they require significant investment in implementation and training.
How Automated Quoting Saves Time
The maths is straightforward. Manual quoting takes time; automated quoting doesn’t.
Manual Quoting Process
- Receive enquiry (2-5 minutes to read and understand)
- Calculate materials (5-15 minutes depending on complexity)
- Calculate labour (5-10 minutes)
- Add overhead and margin (2-5 minutes)
- Format and send quote (5-10 minutes)
- Follow up on unanswered quotes (5-15 minutes per follow-up)
Total per quote: 20-60 minutes
At 30 enquiries per week, that’s 10-30 hours just on quoting. And most quotes never convert.
Automated Quoting Process
- Customer visits your site
- Customer designs their sign and sees instant pricing
- Customer adds to cart and checks out
- You receive a complete order with specs and files
Your time per order: Nearly zero for standard products.
The shift isn’t just time savings. Customers who see instant pricing convert faster. No waiting for quotes means no opportunity to shop competitors while waiting. Real-time pricing builds trust through transparency.
Hybrid Approach
Most sign shops need both. Standard products get automated pricing through something like Sign Customiser. Complex custom work gets traditional quotes through Shopvox or SignTracker.
The webhook automation in Sign Customiser can even trigger your internal systems when orders arrive, bridging automated sales with manual production workflows.
Making Your Decision
Start with your sales process, not feature lists.
If customers primarily find you online and want quick pricing: Prioritise customer-facing automation. Sign Customiser excels here.
If you do primarily custom work requiring consultation: Prioritise internal quoting tools. Shopvox or SignTracker work well.
If you need comprehensive shop management: Look at full platforms like Shopvox or Cyrious.
If you’re mostly doing installation: Consider JobNimbus or general service software.
Most sign shops eventually use multiple tools. Sign Customiser handles online sales; Shopvox manages custom quotes and production. The tools aren’t mutually exclusive.
For sign shops ready to automate customer-facing pricing, explore Sign Customiser’s features and pricing plans. For shops needing traditional quote management, Shopvox and SignTracker both offer free trials.
The best sign estimating software is the one you’ll actually use. Start with your most common quote types and expand from there.
