Cover photo: Schwinn Exerciser – Jon Harl
Before sign ordinances limited their usage in many communities, banners were a very popular low-cost, high-impact form of advertising for small businesses. “Help… Read More
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Joe Jarreau: From machine shop to sign shop
In high school, Joe Jarreau worked at a local newspaper doing flyer layouts. Art class was a breeze. He loved drawing and was… Read More
Cover photo: Peru Fire Department – Bob and Teresa Kaschak
For the Kaschaks, their sign business has been a three-decade work-in-progress, evolving from a part-time basement sign shop to a full-time custom sign… Read More
Design & Price: 3D sign for a bakery
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: Bob’s Auto Parts – Curt Stenz
Most signs carry more than one message, and this presents an immediate problem to the reader. Their brain asks, “In what order should… Read More
What’s going on in the background?
Rob Cooper works in a tourist area where there’s a lot of foot traffic and vehicles don’t fly by at interstate speeds. One… Read More
Shop trucks revisited: 1998 to 2003
It was good to hear from readers about the “Shop Trucks revisited: 1981 to 1997” feature that ran a couple of weeks… Read More
Cover photo: Lucky’s Barber Shop – Sam Pitino
When SignCraft first interviewed Sam Pitino in 1990, he was a young up-and-coming sign painter and full of enthusiasm for the trade. Today… Read More
Powerful designs bring you the right customers
Countless sign makers have told SignCraft over the years that getting a few well-designed, creative signs out on the street laid the groundwork… Read More
Cover photo: Waterhouse – Joe Paffoon
A monument sign delivers a much different look and message than a sign panel mounted between two posts. The additional mass of its… Read More
Cover photo: Stor-All Warehouses – Chester Cunningham
Back in the late 1970s and early ’80s, you couldn’t talk about sign design in a sign shop for very long before Chester… Read More
Shop Trucks revisited: 1981 to 1997
In 1980, during SignCraft magazine’s first year, we began inviting sign people to send photos of their best piece of advertising: their shop… Read More
Cover photo: The Bake Shop – Adam Straus
Sometimes a high school job can lead you to a lifelong career. That’s how it worked for Adam Straus, whose high school co-op… Read More
Inlines can energize a layout
When Lane Walker [Solo Signs, Reno, Nevada] wants to add a little extra sizzle to a sign layout, he sometimes adds very fine… Read More
Cover photo – Schnitzels – Noëlla Cotnam
Cut-out letters can transform the building itself into a sign, turning the building into the background. Individual letters are a popular way to… Read More
Design & Price: Graphics for pair of tow trucks
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
Sam Pitino: Painting signs and passing the craft along
Sam Pitino found himself back in the sign business unexpectedly in 2021. He was the creative director at an advertising agency where he… Read More
Cover photo: Fortified Tattoo – Alex Kurakake
It goes without saying that the primary message on a sign should be obvious. Make that “really obvious.” Bob Behounek likes to devote… Read More
Same words, same shape, same colors—but much more impact
A successful layout uses contrast to make sure the message is read in the proper order and that the sign is appealing to… Read More
Putting it together: DeBerardini Heavy Haul truck
Behind the photos you see on SignCraft.com there is always a back story: How did the layout come together? What did the customer… Read More
