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What is signmaker?

hcrk9/signmaker — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

42HTMLAudience · designerComplexity · 1/5Setup · easy

In one sentence

A free browser-based editor for designing transit and building wayfinding signs with drag-and-drop components, exportable as PNG or SVG.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((Sign Maker))
    What it does
      Component based canvas
      Lighting simulation
      PNG and SVG export
    Tech stack
      HTML
      JavaScript
    Use cases
      Transit signage
      Airport signage
      Custom sign systems
    Audience
      Designers
      Transit planners
    Roadmap
      More components
      Preset sign templates
      Mobile support

Code map

Detail Auto

An interactive map of this repo's files and how they connect — its source is parsed live in your browser. Click Visualize to build it.

filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Design a directional sign for a transit station or airport using prebuilt components.

USE CASE 2

Preview how a sign would look with simulated lighting and hanging effects before printing.

USE CASE 3

Export a finished sign design as a PNG for quick sharing or an SVG for print-ready vector output.

USE CASE 4

Prototype a custom signage system for a specific transit network using the component-based canvas.

What is it built with?

HTMLJavaScript

How does it compare?

hcrk9/signmakerboona13/crowds-system-jsmeridithdacey45285316443/idm-6.42-patch-lifetime-ver-26
Stars424341
LanguageHTMLHTMLHTML
Setup difficultyeasyeasymoderate
Complexity1/52/51/5
Audiencedesignerdevelopergeneral

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Just open the HTML file in a desktop browser, no installation needed.

So what is it?

Sign Maker is a browser-based tool for designing wayfinding signage, built entirely with HTML and JavaScript. Wayfinding signage refers to the directional signs found in transit stations, airports, and public buildings that guide people through a space. The README is written in both Chinese and English. It currently works on desktop browsers only. The design interface is modeled on the component-based workflow popularized by tools like Figma. You build signs by placing and arranging predefined components on a canvas, and adjust their properties through a side panel. The tool adds visual realism by simulating lighting and overhead hanger effects, so the output looks closer to how a physical sign would appear in an actual installation. Completed signs can be exported as PNG image files or as SVG vector files that preserve crisp edges at any size. The project is still in active development. The roadmap listed in the README includes adding more signage component types for different zones, support for custom colors, fonts, and font weights, a preset signs system for quickly laying out standard sign configurations, and mobile support. A planned add-on system would allow creating sign styles for specific transit networks. The author notes the Chongqing rail transit GK standard as one reference for default styles, and mentions future add-ons for other subway systems. The README includes a candid note from the author warning that the source code is poorly written before forking. No installation is needed beyond opening the HTML file in a browser.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Show me how to arrange components in Sign Maker to build a subway directional sign.
Prompt 2
Explain what settings control the lighting and hanger simulation in Sign Maker.
Prompt 3
Help me export my Sign Maker design as an SVG for a print shop.
Prompt 4
Suggest a layout for a wayfinding sign following the Chongqing rail transit GK standard.

Frequently asked questions

What is signmaker?

A free browser-based editor for designing transit and building wayfinding signs with drag-and-drop components, exportable as PNG or SVG.

What language is signmaker written in?

Mainly HTML. The stack also includes HTML, JavaScript.

How hard is signmaker to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is signmaker for?

Mainly designer.

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