Family operated.
Quality driven.
It's In the Genes
George Farrar started painting signs at a young age as a side job. By the mid-1960s, he decided to quit his day job and pursue sign painting full-time. While his talent was undeniable, running a business wasn’t his forte. After several years, “Farrar Signs” closed its doors, and George went to work as an estimator for Kaiser Steel.
But George’s young son, Dave, had been watching and learning. At 12 years old, Dave was hand-lettering signs for his grammar school carnival, and later was making campaign posters for his high school classmates. He later attended UC Berkeley, planning to become an architect, but as more people asked for his signs, he found himself drawn back to the craft he loved.
In 1978, against the advice of nearly everyone around him—including his new wife—Dave dropped out of college and opened his own sign company. He named it “Farrar Signs” in honor of his father.
As the business grew, he hired his first employee, then eight more by 1984. The company name changed to Sun Graphics, giving it a more “corporate” feel, and in 1992, they moved into a larger space in Newark, CA—where the company still resides today.
A New Generation, Same Dedication
As technology evolved—like vinyl plotters, CNC routers, and more—Sun Graphics embraced the changes. While hand-painted signs became less common, the company never lost its commitment to quality craftsmanship. Combining traditional skills with modern techniques, Sun Graphics became one of the Bay Area’s top architectural sign companies, known for precision, creativity, integrity, and excellent service.
Through it all, the business has remained a family operation. Three generations have played a role in its success, with family members involved in everything from management to hands-on production.
That family focus extends to both the team and our customers.Many employees have been with Sun Graphics for years, and customer relationships often span decades. Even as the company has grown, it’s held onto its collaborative, close-knit, and joyful spirit – something that’s been at the heart of the company from the very beginning.
