signcraft

Putting it together: People’s Linen Service

Stepping outside the commonplace is a sure way to catch the sign viewer’s eye. Peter Poanessa, Keene Signworx, Swanzey, New Hampshire, does this… Read More

Cover photo: Barkman Gravel and Landscaping – RT Signs

Sometimes a customer loves the look of custom 3D signs for their storefront but their budget isn’t quite there. That’s when a cutout… Read More

James Dobson: A dozen cool sign projects

James Dobson has always worn a lot of hats—sign maker, innovator, inventor, all-around graphics person and more. He and his sign work were… Read More

Cover photo: Pizza – Rob Cooper

Pizza is a worldwide favorite, and pizza shops can be found almost everywhere. They especially abound in tourist areas like Koh Tao, Thailand,… Read More

An easy way to sell the design first

For many service businesses, their truck lettering is their primary advertising—may be their only advertising. But Rich Dombey [Rich Designs Inc., Hillsborough, New… Read More

Knock out a Christmas window splash!

Traditionally, one easy way for a sign painter to pick up holiday cash was to paint Christmas window splashes all over town. It… Read More

Cover photo: Real Products Mfg. – David Showalter

Cover photo: Real Products Mfg. – David Showalter Cover photo: Real Products Mfg. – David Showalter “Lately, I’ve been using a lot of… Read More

Design & Price: Trailer graphics

In every issue, SignCraft gave a few sign makers an imaginary project. We asked them to do a sketch of the sign they… Read More

Cover photo: Performance Diesel – Lane Walker

For many sign designers, the quick rough sketch is the fastest route to a closed sale. Doing a rough drawing in front of… Read More

Wraps, partial wraps and look-like-a-wraps

Vehicle wraps are a hot item—and a powerful tool in the hands of a good designer. With a wrap, you can create a… Read More

This jig makes sign and letter installation easier

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and necessity is what pushed Dayna Reed to put this jig together to speed the… Read More

Cover photo: Monk Heating and AC – Braun Bleamer

A well-designed full wrap can have a lot of impact, but it isn’t the only option—or always the best solution. Braun Bleamer does… Read More

Case study – Negative space at work

Whomever said “a picture is worth a thousand words” may well have been talking about the concept of negative space. The concept of… Read More

Cover photo: SRS Trucking – Brian Schofield

Few people really want to buy vehicle lettering. For most it’s just a necessity to have something on their truck. Until, that is,… Read More

Making a faux stone monument base

An effective custom sign relies on its unique look to catch the viewer’s eye long enough for two critical tasks: To deliver its… Read More

Cover photo: Candlelight Bed and Breakfast – David Showalter

“Design is everything,” says David Showalter, David Design, Bryan, Ohio. “It’s what makes a sign work.” To make sure his layouts do their… Read More

Shop Trucks revisited: 2003 to 2005

This is the third in our series of articles recapping some of the shop vehicles we featured in SignCraft starting in 1981. If… Read More

Cover photo: MJ Shisslak – Braun Bleamer

Customers often want a list of services that they offer on their sign, or worse yet, on their truck—which will be on busy… Read More

Design & Price: Storefront window graphics

In every issue, SignCraft gave a few sign makers an imaginary project. We asked them to do a sketch of the sign they… Read More

Putting it together: MGVG Apartments monument sign

There’s a lot to learn from a behind-the-scenes look at how a sign project came together. How the sign was built, what materials… Read More