Hand-Painted Signage with a Modern Twist

Civerinos | Leith, Edinburgh

At Solas Signs, we’re a full-spectrum signage business offering design, build, and installation services under one roof. Many of our projects may appear minimal at first glance, but it’s the detail, craft, and considered approach behind them that delivers a rich and lasting finish. One of the best examples of this philosophy can be found down on The Shore in Leith, Edinburgh.

Breathing New Life into a Historic Building

The former G.B. Browns shipping building is a structure steeped in history, echoing Leith’s industrial and maritime past. Recently revitalised and brought back into use, the building is now home to multiple businesses — including Civerinos, one of Edinburgh’s most recognisable and award-winning pizza brands.

When we were brought in to work on the signage for Civerinos’ new Shore location, it was clear that the building itself needed to play a central role in the design. Rather than competing with the raw textures and character of the space, the signage needed to sit comfortably within it — enhancing the environment while remaining unmistakably Civerinos.

Site Visits and Collaborative Design

As with many of our projects, the process began with a site visit. We headed down to Leith to see how the refurbishment was progressing and to discuss ideas directly with the Civerinos team. Standing inside the space, surrounded by exposed brickwork and industrial details, it was obvious that a traditional approach with a contemporary execution would be the best fit.

We collectively agreed that the signage should reflect the authenticity of the building. Rather than a manufactured or overly polished solution, a hand-painted sign with a distressed finish would allow the branding to feel embedded within the fabric of the space — as if it had always been there.

Traditional Hand Painting, Modern Setup

The final concept was a large-scale, distressed hand-painted version of the Civerinos logo, stretched across both brickwork and glazing to define their area within the building. The goal was clear: bold, confident branding that stood out instantly, while still blending naturally with the industrial surroundings.

Because the artwork spanned uneven brickwork and a window, using a traditional chalk transfer wasn’t practical. Instead, we employed a modern solution — projecting the artwork directly onto the surface to create an accurate stencil. This method allowed us to maintain precision across challenging surfaces while staying true to the hand-painted process.

Once the layout was set, our experienced signwriting team got to work. Using specialist paints and techniques, we built up the distressed finish by hand, ensuring the final result felt authentic, textured, and perfectly in tune with the character of the building.

A Minimal Intervention with Maximum Impact

While the finished sign is intentionally simple, it carries a strong visual presence. The scale of the lettering, combined with the hand-painted texture, ensures the branding is immediately recognisable as Civerinos — without overpowering the space.

This type of signage demonstrates how minimal interventions, when executed properly, can have a huge impact. By understanding the context of the building and the brand, the signage becomes part of the architecture rather than an applied afterthought.

Signage That Tells a Story

Projects like this highlight why traditional signwriting still has such a strong place in modern environments. Hand-painted signage brings warmth, individuality, and authenticity — qualities that align perfectly with independent brands and characterful spaces like this one on The Shore.

At Solas Signs, we combine these traditional techniques with modern planning, tools, and installation methods. Whether it’s using projection technology to speed up setup or carefully distressing finishes by hand, our approach is always about achieving the best possible result.

A Project We Loved Delivering

The Civerinos Leith signage is a great example of how thoughtful design, collaboration, and craftsmanship can transform a space. Set within a vibrant, historic building, the finished sign feels confident, honest, and full of character — just like the brand itself.

If you’re looking to bring your space to life with bespoke signage — from hand-painted lettering to fully fabricated and illuminated solutions — our team would love to help. Get in touch to discuss how we can create signage that not only looks great, but truly belongs in its environment.

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