How do I finish a two-color dimensional sign: background one color, raised faces another?

The two approaches

1. Base coat + roll the highs (raised lettering/borders)

For signs where the text/border is RAISED (background pocketed away, see the raised-lettering entry):

1. Prime everything (mandatory on HDU, see that entry; smart on wood/MDF).
2. Base coat the whole sign the background color, into every pocket and texture. Two coats.
3. Roll the raised faces the accent color with a small FOAM roller, nearly dry, using light pressure so the roller only kisses the high surfaces. Two thin passes beat one loaded one.
4. Edges/returns: brush or roll as a third element (often the accent color).

Textured backgrounds (Texture toolpath!) make this look incredible: the base color sits in the texture while the smooth raised faces pop in the accent.

2. Mask method (recessed lettering)

For V-CARVED (recessed) two-color work, it's the paint-fill workflow (see that entry): finish the face color first, mask, carve, fill letters with color two.

Which to choose

• Raised text reads best at distance (real dimensional shadow). It is the commercial/HDU standard.
• Recessed v-carve is faster to machine (no background clearing). It is the craft/wood standard.
• Both on one sign (raised border + v-carved script) means both workflows in sequence.

Pro tips

• The near-dry foam roller is the entire skill of method 1. Practice the pressure on scrap, because a loaded roller floods the background.
• Exterior work: 100% acrylic latex or sign enamel over primer, all six faces sealed (see the HDU entry).
• Fix accent slop on the background with a small brush of base color, and keep both colors on the bench till the end.