Let’s carve a moose head
Sign making is serious business—at least most of the time. But every once in a while, a job arrives that is anything but… Read More
signcraft
Tips & Tricks: Paint 3D signs the easy way
A hard rubber brayer is the easiest way to paint the raised letters on a sandblasted or router carved sign. Before, it would… Read More
Clear coat hand lettering for maximum durability
As clear coats on vehicles became more impervious and lead was removed from lettering enamel, many sign painters began to experience problems with… Read More
Not your typical set of semi doors
Lane Walker [Solo Signs, Reno, Nevada] does plenty of semi-truck doors. His years in the business have earned him a reputation among area… Read More
Bill Kirnec: Still painting at 84
When SignCraft spoke with Bill Kirnec last week, he was getting ready to start lettering and pinstriping another new wrecker for Sandy’s Towing… Read More
Fabricating a projecting sign
There’s something cool about a sign that projects from the wall, not hanging from a bracket but somehow attached to the wall on… Read More
Signs We’ve Seen – December 2021
Check out this creative sign work by SignCraft’s readers! We’re always interested in seeing your work or photos of great-looking signs you’ve seen…. Read More
A closer look at the results of our hourly shop rate survey
Digging a little deeper into the results of our recent reader survey on hourly shop rates provides some interesting insights into how shops… Read More
Window splashes sell cars
Car dealerships depend on marketing and promotions to bring buyers in, and signs are a very affordable way to do that. Compared to… Read More
Get the most from single pole mountings
Every sign need not stand on its own two legs—sometimes one is enough. A single post can make an effective mounting that adds… Read More
Tips & Tricks: Need weathered wood in a hurry? Here’s how.
Weathered wood posts and panels provide a great contrast against smooth letters and faces. RT Signs Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, uses this contrast in… Read More
2021 Reader Survey: What’s your hourly shop rate?
“So what do other shop owners charge for their hourly rate?” We often hear that question from users of the online Sign Pricing… Read More
Letters – November 2021
The Sign Pricing Guide online calculator is up to date! We recently updated it and were surprised at the price increases for so… Read More
Design & Price: Graphics for a small fleet of dump trucks
In every issue, SignCraft gives a few sign makers an imaginary project. We ask them to do a sketch of the sign they… Read More
Profile: Alex Kurakake
Shop name: Smart Alex Signs Age: 29 Shop size: 1000 sq. ft. Online: https://smartalexsigns.com/ Instagram: @smart_alex_signs When Alex walked into Los Angeles Trade… Read More
Step by step: Making a replica of a vintage glass sign
A few years ago, the local public library contacted Duncan Wilkie of Comsign in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. While going through their vault, they… Read More
Tips & Tricks: A background outline adds to the 3D effect
Flat letters and graphics look great on CNC carved or textured backgrounds but adding CNC cut letters over the base letter can really… Read More
Put a curve on that monument
One of the factors that contribute to a sign failing to draw the reader’s eye is visual monotony. And since most signs are… Read More
Profile: Richard Flint
Shop name: Flint SignsShop size: Approx. 1000 sq. ft. Age: 65 Graphics equipment: FlexiSign Pro software 24-in. Gerber Plotters Chisels and quality lettering… Read More
Step-by-step: Building monument cabinet signs
Have you ever had a customer who wanted more than a 4-by-8-ft. plywood sign mounted to a couple posts, but didn’t have the… Read More
