Abstract: An improved metal sign, a method for production thereof, and a metal plate for use in the method. The sign includes a photographic image of at least one color developed directly on the sign. The method includes the steps of: (a) placing a film of a photographic image over a photosensitive material on a metal plate and causing light to pass through the film so that it exposes at least a portion of the photosensitive material; (b) developing the photosensitive material so that a dye receptive copy of the photographic image is generated on the metal plate; and (c) applying a dye to the metal plate so that a colored copy of the photographic image is created. The metal plate is at least partially coated with a photosensitive material, and includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, steel, gold, silver, beryllium, molybdenum, titanium, tin and lead.