Our History

For more than 70 years, ROEDA has been helping businesses, organizations, and communities across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana stand out with high-quality signage and graphics. What began in 1954 as a small sign shop founded by Neil and Jeneane Roeda on Chicago’s South Side has grown into a trusted, full-service signage company, now proudly led by the third generation of the Roeda family.

Neil built the company on a simple philosophy: deliver the highest-quality signage solutions at a fair price, backed by exceptional service. That commitment to craftsmanship and care has guided us through every decade of growth. Today, with expanded capabilities in design, screen printing, digital printing, and fleet graphics, ROEDA continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern businesses—while staying true to the values that started it all.

While our equipment and technology have advanced over the years, one thing has remained the same: our people and the relationships we build. Our team of designers, craftsmen, and installers shares a passion for getting the details right and views every client as a partner. From the first conversation to final installation, our customers become an extension of the ROEDA family.

As a third-generation family-led company, we’re proud to carry our legacy forward while embracing the future of signage and graphics. Earning our clients' notice has been a privilege for the past 70 years, and we look forward to continuing that tradition for generations to come.

  • A collage of vintage images related to advertising and signs, including a billboard for renting apartments, a black-and-white photo of a man standing next to a sign for space land acquisition, various vintage advertising signs, and a person sitting at a desk inside a building.

    A Humble Beginning (1954)

    Founder Neil Roeda, alongside his wife Jeneane, opened ROEDA Signs in 1954. The business began by serving the signage needs of commercial businesses on Chicago’s South Side, laying the foundation for what would become a trusted name in custom signs and graphics.

  • Collection of signs and posters for sign and trailer services, including a person installing a sign on top of a large billboard, and an outdoor sign for Roeda Signs in Illinois.

    Early Growth & First Facility (1970s)

    ROEDA Signs began in a rented barn at the corner of 162nd Street and State Street in South Holland. As demand grew, Neil Roeda expanded the team by hiring skilled sign painters to serve businesses across the south suburbs. In 1973, we built our first dedicated facility—approximately 7,500 square feet—just a mile south of our original location. During this period, ROEDA became a local leader in truck and vehicle graphics, setting the stage for decades of innovation in fleet branding.

  • Collage of vintage photographs, including a sign for Roeda Signs, a person in front of Sherwin Williams sign, Bob Roeda working on a boat with LA-Z-BOY GALLERY painted on it, a woman adjusting a blue typewriter, a woman working at a desk in an office, and a person in a red shirt sitting at a desk in a room with wood panel walls.

    A New Generation & Industry Shift (1980s)

    Neil Roeda’s sons, Rodney and Robert, joined the company just as the sign industry began to evolve. After more than two decades of hand-lettering signs and posters, a new technology emerged: computer-cut vinyl graphics. This innovation transformed the process—replacing time-intensive hand-painting with faster, more efficient vinyl lettering for signs and vehicles. It marked the first of many major changes that would reshape the industry and ROEDA’s future.

  • A collage of photos showing a sign-making company. The top left shows two people in formal attire in a showroom. The top middle depicts two workers in a workshop operating sign-making equipment. The top right features a colorful sign for ScreenTech, a division of Roeda Signs. The bottom left is a gray sign for Silkscreen. The bottom middle shows two workers discussing a sign design at a table. The bottom right features a boy sitting on a parade float with American flags and flowers.

    Expanding Sales & Screen Printing (1987)

    In 1987, Randy Roeda—our older brother—joined the team, bringing strong sales skills that helped accelerate growth. Around the same time, we introduced screen printing as a new production method, launching a dedicated division called ScreenTech. This allowed us to produce high-quality decals and displays for retail and industrial clients nationwide. To support this growth, we built a new facility addition to expand our screen print production capabilities.

  • Various scenes including a golf group holding a sign for a golf classic, a printing or manufacturing workshop with workers, a large sign for Rodea Signs Inc. and people gathering at an outdoor event with tables, a person working on a computer, and a cat resting on a person.

    Rapid Growth & Market Expansion (1990–2000)

    The 1990s marked a decade of fast growth for both ROEDA Signs and our ScreenTech division. Through trade shows and targeted advertising, we expanded into new markets and built strong partnerships with industries including Waste, Recycling, Construction, Portable Sanitation, and Manufacturing. During this time, we also launched a local textile print division, offering custom garment printing for a wide range of clients. To support increasing demand, we added a 5,000 sq. ft. facility expansion in 2000, enhancing both our screen print and digital production capabilities.

  • Composite of images related to printing and production: workers setting up equipment, a worker operating machinery, a house with people, a lifting platform, a large printed banner with text, and a close-up of a fabric printing process.

    Advancing Technology & Capabilities (2000–2010)

    Between 2000 and 2010, ROEDA Signs and ScreenTech continued expanding into new print markets. We invested in advanced equipment—including larger presses, faster finishing tools, and a growing fleet of installation trucks—while bringing on additional staff to support our growing operation. A new facility addition was built to support the rapid rise of digital printing, the fastest-growing media of the decade. This technology allowed us to print vibrant, full-color graphics on everything from banners and rigid signs to displays, using solvent, UV, and eco-friendly latex inks.

  • Collage of images featuring Roeda company, including building exterior, employees, signage, a drone, and business signage.

    Loss, Resilience & A New Chapter (2010–2020)

    In 2016, we experienced a profound loss with the passing of our brother and business partner, Randy Roeda. His impact on the company was immeasurable, and while we continue to adjust to his absence, we’ve found strength, unity, and renewed purpose in honoring his legacy. In the years that followed, ROEDA continued to grow—exploring new markets, building new relationships, and investing in cutting-edge equipment. In 2017, we unveiled a refreshed brand and logo, uniting our divisions under a single identity: ROEDA. By 2019, with an expanding team and broader capabilities, we moved into a new, larger facility designed to support the full range of graphics and services we were ready to offer.

  • Collage of industrial and office spaces including a workshop with a truck, a manufacturing area with machinery, a storage and work area with a pickup truck, an office reception area, and a sign with illuminated letters spelling 'AMMON'.

    A Bold Move & a Major Milestone (2020–Present)

    In 2019, ROEDA made a significant move from South Holland to a new 40,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Lynwood, Illinois. While the transition had its challenges, every detail was worth it. The new space opened the door to expanded production, improved workflow, and endless possibilities for growth. This modern facility has become the foundation for our evolving team and services, allowing us to better serve clients with the recognition and quality they deserve. In 2024, we proudly celebrated 70 years in business—a testament to the hard work, innovation, and relationships that have shaped ROEDA since 1954.