diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java
index e0e2dd63b..6db8dcafc 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ public class Settings implements ISettings
 	@Override
 	public boolean areSignsDisabled()
 	{
-		return enabledSigns.isEmpty();
+		return !signsEnabled;
 	}
 
 	@Override
@@ -422,6 +422,7 @@ public class Settings implements ISettings
 		return epItemSpwn;
 	}
 	private List<EssentialsSign> enabledSigns = new ArrayList<EssentialsSign>();
+	private boolean signsEnabled = false;
 
 	@Override
 	public List<EssentialsSign> enabledSigns()
@@ -440,6 +441,11 @@ public class Settings implements ISettings
 			{
 				continue;
 			}
+			if (signName.equals("COLOR") || signName.equals("COLOUR"))
+			{
+				signsEnabled = true;
+				continue;
+			}
 			try
 			{
 				newSigns.add(Signs.valueOf(signName).getSign());
@@ -447,7 +453,9 @@ public class Settings implements ISettings
 			catch (Exception ex)
 			{
 				logger.log(Level.SEVERE, _("unknownItemInList", signName, "enabledSigns"));
+				continue;
 			}
+			signsEnabled = true;
 		}
 		return newSigns;
 	}
diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/SignBlockListener.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/SignBlockListener.java
index e57919ab1..bd90d6c47 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/SignBlockListener.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/SignBlockListener.java
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package com.earth2me.essentials.signs;
 
 import com.earth2me.essentials.IEssentials;
 import com.earth2me.essentials.User;
+import com.earth2me.essentials.Util;
 import java.util.logging.Level;
 import java.util.logging.Logger;
 import org.bukkit.Material;
@@ -87,9 +88,17 @@ public class SignBlockListener implements Listener
 		{
 			for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 			{
-				event.setLine(i, event.getLine(i).replaceAll("&([0-9a-f])", "§$1"));
+				event.setLine(i, Util.replaceColor(event.getLine(i)));
 			}
 		}
+		else
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
+			{
+				event.setLine(i, Util.stripColor(event.getLine(i)));
+			}
+		}
+
 		for (Signs signs : Signs.values())
 		{
 			final EssentialsSign sign = signs.getSign();
diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/Signs.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/Signs.java
index e29d45ad4..2cf05ee77 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/Signs.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/signs/Signs.java
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ public enum Signs
 	TRADE(new SignTrade()),
 	WARP(new SignWarp()),
 	WEATHER(new SignWeather());
+	
 	private final EssentialsSign sign;
 
 	private Signs(final EssentialsSign sign)
diff --git a/Essentials/src/config.yml b/Essentials/src/config.yml
index 3aea83772..7b72ee1c0 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/config.yml
+++ b/Essentials/src/config.yml
@@ -175,10 +175,11 @@ kits:
 # Essentials Sign Control
 # See http://ess.khhq.net/wiki/Sign_Tutorial for instructions on how to use these.
 # To enable signs, remove # symbol. To disable all signs, comment/remove each sign.
-# If there are no signs enabled, all sign features will be disabled including sign colours.
+# Essentials Colored sign support will be enabled when any sign types are enabled.
 # We recommend not enabling chest protection signs if you don't intend to use them, (or are using LWC/Lockette).
 
 enabledSigns:
+  #- color
   #- balance
   #- buy  
   #- sell