[ CASE STUDY ] 05 / 07
SIGNFLOW
0Third-party estimating tools left to pay for
SignFlow, Custom MERN Application Case Study
- INDUSTRY
- Signage (built for Coastal Signs Plus, Inc.)
- SERVICES
- Custom Web Application · UX & Interface Design · Deployment · Ongoing Maintenance & Support
- PLATFORM
- MERN (React, Next.js, Node.js, MongoDB)
[ 02 ] OVERVIEW
Digital Hype Media partnered with Coastal Signs Plus, Inc. to design, develop, and deploy SignFlow, a custom-built sign estimating and takeoff platform created to replace their reliance on eTakeoff.
Built using a modern MERN stack (React, Next.js, Node.js, MongoDB), SignFlow was designed as a purpose-built internal system that streamlines sign estimation, reduces software costs, and gives Coastal Signs Plus full ownership of their workflow and data.
The platform is now actively used in daily operations, with ongoing support and maintenance provided by our team.
[ 03 ] THE CHALLENGE
The Challenge
Coastal Signs Plus relied on third-party estimating tools that were expensive, bloated with unnecessary features, and not tailored to the real-world needs of a signage company. Key challenges included:
- High recurring licensing costs
- Inefficient workflows for sign counting and takeoffs
- Limited customization and flexibility
- No ownership of data or long-term control over the platform
They needed a focused, fast, and scalable alternative built specifically for their internal processes.
[ 04 ] THE SOLUTION
The Solution
We designed and built SignFlow, a custom web application engineered specifically for signage estimation and area calculations.
The system allows users to upload project PDFs, visually place sign traces, automatically count signage, calculate mural and wall areas, and export clean reports for estimating and production.
The entire platform was designed with usability, speed, and accuracy in mind, eliminating unnecessary complexity while improving operational efficiency.
[ 05 ] PLATFORM FEATURES
Platform Features
01Project & PDF Management
- Upload PDFs and treat each file as a standalone project
- Organized project storage with easy retrieval
- Secure project creation and management
02Interactive Takeoff System
- Drag-and-drop sign placement directly onto PDFs
- Support for multiple sign types, colors, and attributes
- Persistent database storage for all traces
03Automated Sign Counting & Exports
- Automatic tallying of sign quantities by type
- Exportable Excel summaries for estimating
- Annotated PDF exports for internal records and approvals
04Area Measurement Tools
- Point-and-click area measurement for wall murals and large-format graphics
- Automatic square footage calculation
- Custom scaling controls set during PDF import
05Multi-User Access
- Supports concurrent users within the organization
- Built for collaborative internal workflows
[ 06 ] DEPLOYMENT & SUPPORT
Deployment & Support
SignFlow was deployed as a production-ready system with flexibility for both local and cloud hosting environments. Following launch, Digital Hype Media continues to provide:
- Ongoing maintenance and monitoring
- Performance optimizations
- Feature updates and refinements
- Infrastructure guidance and support
This ensures the platform remains stable, secure, and aligned with evolving business needs.
[ 07 ] RESULTS
Results & Impact
- Eliminated reliance on third-party estimating software
- Reduced recurring licensing and tooling costs
- Faster, more accurate sign takeoffs and estimates
- Full ownership of software, data, and workflows
- A scalable foundation for future SaaS expansion, if desired
SOURCE: SIGNFLOW CASE STUDY
[ 08 ] TECHNOLOGY STACK
Technology Stack
- FRONTENDReact.js, Next.js
- BACKENDNode.js, Express.js
- DATABASEMongoDB
- PDF & CANVAS HANDLINGcustom canvas-based interaction layers
- HOSTINGcloud server deployment options based on client preference
[ 09 ] GALLERY
Gallery
[ 10 ] THE BOTTOM LINE
The Bottom Line
SignFlow is now a core operational tool for Coastal Signs Plus, built around how their team actually works, not how generic software assumes they should.
Digital Hype Media designed and delivered a fully custom estimating platform that replaced legacy tools, improved efficiency, and gave Coastal Signs Plus complete control over their estimating process.
SignFlow is a strong example of how custom software, when built correctly, can become a long-term operational asset rather than an ongoing expense.
