Why Brass Safety Signs Still Matter - craft, character & a touch of heritage

Brass Signs Built For Places That Care About the Details

In a world full of plastic signs and quick fixes, there’s something undeniably compelling about brass. It’s a material with presence - warm, tactile, substantial - and for many environments, it still represents the gold standard (quite literally) of quality and permanence.

As we introduce our new collection of beautifully finished brass safety signs, we wanted to shine a light on why brass still has such strong appeal, and why it remains the material of choice for prestigious buildings, heritage interiors and premium hospitality spaces.

A Material with History - and a Future

Brass has been around for thousands of years, valued for its strength, corrosion resistance and distinctive golden sheen. It’s been used in everything from scientific instruments and ship fittings to door furniture, nameplates and architectural details.

Why? Because brass communicates something that other materials don’t:

Quality
Longevity
Craftsmanship
Respect for the building it serves

Whether it’s a museum corridor, boutique hotel, listed staircase or a private office suite, brass quietly signals that thought has gone into the details.

When you place a brass fire exit sign in a period hallway or secure a brass extinguisher ID plate to a panelled wall, it doesn’t shout. It fits.

The Modern Case For Brass Safety Signs

While legislation determines what messages must be displayed, it doesn’t dictate how they should look in relation to their surroundings. And this is where brass excels.

Our new range offers:

Solid polished brass for a premium, weighty feel
Traditional screen-printed graphics instead of vinyl overlays
ISO 7010 symbols for compliance and universal clarity
Chamfered edging that gives a refined architectural finish

These signs aren’t trying to be ornate; they’re trying to be appropriate - ensuring safety messaging feels considered, not compromised, in high-quality environments.

Where Brass Belongs (and why)

You’ll see brass safety signage throughout buildings that care about continuity of detail:

Heritage and listed buildings, where honesty of materials matters
Hotels and premium hospitality, where first impressions count
Museums and galleries, where visual harmony is key
Private offices, executive spaces and boardrooms
Luxury residential developments, with elevated finishes

Plastic feels out of place in these settings. Brass feels right.

Why We Built This Range

We saw a clear gap in the market: high-quality brass signage, made properly, photographed properly (hopefully), and supplied reliably!

Many competitors either under-spec the materials or hide the real finish behind grainy images. We wanted to elevate the category - not reinvent it, and finally do it justice.

So now you’ll find:

Brass Safety Signs - covering general mandatory, prohibition, hazard and extinguisher messaging
Brass Fire Exit Signs the most requested subset, now in consistent sizes and styles

Both ranges share the same premium feel and are manufactured to a standard we’re proud of.

A Little Behind-the-Scenes… Photographing Brass Is an Adventure

We’ll be honest - brass is beautiful, but it’s a tricky thing to photograph.

It reflects everything. And we mean everything.

At one point, we had sheets of card held at all angles, with a tangle of tripod lights, just trying to capture a clean, consistent shot for the website. Every slight movement created a different reflection. Turn the sign a fraction, and you’d suddenly see the ceiling. Or a hand. Or a rogue product box five metres away.

But that’s the charm of it. Brass interacts with light in a way no flat material can.

It looks warm and rich in daylight, crisp and sharp in bright modern interiors, and beautifully atmospheric in low light or even candle-lit spaces.

If anything, photographing it reminded us why designers, architects and specifiers love working with brass - it’s alive, responsive, and deeply characterful.

See The Full Collections

If brass is the right fit for your building, we’ve made it easier than ever to find exactly what you need:

Explore Brass Safety Signs

Explore Brass Fire Exit Signs

Whether you’re replacing one sign or rolling out a complete scheme, you’ll find consistent finishes, standardised sizing and a premium look that lifts every space.

Safety signage doesn’t have to be an afterthought, especially in buildings with history, character or a premium design intent. Brass brings a level of quality that aligns with those environments, offering compliance without compromising the space.

And now, with our new polished range, you can specify it with confidence.

For help, advice or to discuss your bespoke signage enquiry, don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0800 043 0161 or email sales@safetybuyer.com

Why Brass Safety Signs Still Matter - craft, character & a touch of heritage