Best Sign Making Templates for Routers: Essential Router Template Sets
Designing professional wooden signs becomes efficient with the right router templates. This guide highlights top template sets that help you lay out letters, numbers, arrows, and symbols with precise spacing and clean interlocks. Each option below is chosen for compatibility with common routers and ease of use, making them suitable for sign makers and hobbyists alike.
| Product | Brand | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Milescraft 1212 SignPRO Kit | Milescraft | Includes 1/4″ and 3/8″ bits, turn-n-lock base, stable routing surface |
| Milescraft 2202 Horizontal Character Set | Milescraft | Self-spacing letters, durable polymer, 42 letters |
| Milescraft 1206 Signcrafter Kit | Milescraft | 4″–36″ sign sizes, universal baseplate, 82 templates |
| Milescraft 2201 Horizontal Character Set | Milescraft | 41 letters, numbers, and punctuation, kerning options |
| Rockler 3-3/8” Interlocking Set | ROCKLER | 99 pieces, interlocking design, kerning spacers |
Milescraft 1212 SignPRO Sign Making Kit
The Milescraft 1212 SignPRO kit provides a comprehensive set for sign making with routers. It includes 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch Tungsten Carbide tipped core box router bits, a turn-n-lock base plate, metal nose bushings, and low-profile clamps and frames for a stable routing surface. This kit supports 4-inch to 36-inch sign projects and comes with 166 templates for horizontal letters and 80 templates for vertical numbers, making it suitable for versatile sign layouts.
Milescraft 2202 Horizontal Character Template Set
This 42-piece template set focuses on horizontal character templates with self-spacing features that ensure consistent spacing between characters without extra measurement. Made from durable polymer, the set includes letters A to Z plus an extra A, E, and I, plus essential spacing aids. It’s designed for straightforward sign layouts where legibility and neat kerning matter.
Milescraft 1206 Signcrafter Template Kit
The Milescraft 1206 Signcrafter kit is designed for sign projects from 4 inches to 36 inches. It includes 82 self-spacing 2-1/2-inch templates for both numbers and letters, enabling quick, measurement-free layout. The universal turn-n-lock baseplate and bushings facilitate fast tool-less bushing changes, enhancing workflow efficiency when creating multiple signs.
Milescraft 2201 Horizontal Character Template Set
This 41-piece set includes uppercase letters A to Z, a few additional letters (A, E, I), and digits plus punctuation. It focuses on horizontal spacing with clear, durable templates to support clean, evenly spaced sign text. The collection works well for projects that prioritize legibility and straightforward composition.
Rockler Router Letter Template Set (3-3/8”)
Rockler’s interlocking router letter template kit features 99 pieces, including letters, numbers, symbols, and kerning spacers. The 3-3/8” tall templates interlock by sliding grooves together for consistent spacing, helping users achieve evenly spaced, professional signs. It recommends a 5/8″ signmaker’s carbide router bit and a plunge router with a perforated base for best results. The set includes a brass guide bushing for precise routing.
Rockler Router Letter Template Set (1-1/2”H)
Rockler’s 1-1/2” tall interlocking template set continues the same design philosophy with kerning spacers for natural text spacing and even letters. It includes 99 pieces of letters, numbers, symbols, and spacers, along with a brass guide bushing and is recommended for use with a perforated-base plunge router. This size is ideal for smaller signs or tighter letter placements where precision matters.
Rockler Router Letter Template Set (2.25”)
This 2.25” tall Rockler interlocking templates kit provides 99 pieces of letters, numbers, symbols, and kerning spacers. It comes with a 3/8″ signmaker’s carbide router bit and a brass guide bushing. The interlocking design enables efficient layout with consistent kerning, suited for mid-sized signs and a range of applications where balanced typography is desired.
Buying Guide
- Template size and lettering height: Taller templates (e.g., 3-3/8”) yield prominent signs, while 1-1/2” to 2.25” sizes suit smaller or more compact designs. Choose based on sign viewing distance.
- Interlocking vs. self-spacing: Interlocking sets ensure even kerning across letters, especially for long lines of text. Self-spacing reduces measurement steps but may require careful alignment for perfection.
- Material and durability: Polymer templates are lightweight and durable for repeated use. Metal-backed templates offer long life in demanding shop environments but may be heavier.
- Kerning and spacing tools: Some kits include kerning spacers or adjustable features to maintain consistent letter gaps. This is important for professional-looking signage.
- Router compatibility: Confirm the kit’s recommended bit sizes (e.g., 1/4″, 3/8″) and whether it requires a specific baseplate or bushings. Ensure your router bit set matches the included templates.
- Baseplate and bushings: A universal or turn-n-lock baseplate simplifies changes between templates. Bushings help control routing depth and accuracy across different letter sizes.
- Project variety: For broad usage, a kit with letters, numbers, and symbols, along with arrows or decorative elements, supports more sign types—trail signs, yard signs, address plaques, and door signs.
- Ease of use: Look for clearly labeled templates, durable construction, and a straightforward setup process. Kits with included guides or instruction sheets reduce setup time for beginners.
- Budget considerations: A balanced kit that offers a comprehensive set of characters, as well as baseplates and bits, often provides the best long-term value for frequent sign makers.
- Safety: Always operate routers with proper safety gear and follow manufacturer recommendations for bit maintenance and feed rates to avoid chipping or kickback.