Cover photo: CK Weed Control – Mark Yearwood
“Do you really need a graphic with the lettering?” answers that question in a big way. This sign by Mark Yearwood, Yearwood Design… Read More
Articles
Memories of a sign painting apprenticeship
After unexpectedly starting my own business in 1974 [see “Vintage beer labels hold loads of inspiration”], I went to Michigan State University, where, instead… Read More
Cover photo – Keystone Dirt Works – Braun Bleamer
Red trucks sure look great—but it sure can be hard to find colors that work well on red. It takes very light or… Read More
Profile: Mike Maslink
For over four decades, Mike Maslink has been providing signs, graphic design and promotional products to businesses in and around St. Catharines, Ontario,… Read More
Cover photo: DeCloet Farms – Randy Howe
“We all think sometimes how it would be great to be in a market where there was a big demand for high-end signage,”… Read More
The essential bench grinder setup
Sharpening and grinding are common tasks in most sign shops, so it makes sense to do that as quickly and easily as possible…. Read More
Cover photo: Saranac Lake – Laura Walker
Being a sign maker in a tourist area means that many customers are a little more concerned about their image. That means the… Read More
More before-and-afters from Rob Cooper
When it’s time to redo a sign, it’s a great opportunity to make it more effective. Rob Cooper, Koh Tao, Thailand, has repainted… Read More
Cover photo: Pearce Jewelers – Peter Poanessa
When Peter Poanessa showed how he fabricates great-looking but lightweight sign structures in “The Keene System: Fabricating strong, lightweight sign structures”, he opened… Read More
A blast from the past: Vintage sign shop photos
If you’re like us here at SignCraft, a photo of a sign shop or a sign painter at work from years ago always… Read More
Cover photo: The Party Store – Bob Behounek
Electric signs require a bigger budget, so design is even more important if the client wants maximum value for their money. When… Read More
Building a modular monument sign
When you work alone or with one helper, designing a sign that you can put together on site as if it were a… Read More
Cover photo: Andrews Auto Body – Brian Schofield
What’s that arriving at your shop? Another white F-150? Another white Sprinter van? Most of the trucks and vans that get used commercially… Read More
Vintage beer labels hold loads of inspiration
“You know,” says Mark Casey, “sometimes you see something that looks like it would just be so much fun to paint. When that… Read More
Cover photo: Steve’s Mechanic Shop – Chris Dobell
Chris and Stu Dobell are second-generation signwriters, two brothers who served traditional apprenticeships in Australia before moving to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. They’re also… Read More
Camouflage the fasteners
“I’ve always gone out of my way to hide any fastener that might hold a sign face to the structure,” says Dayna Reed,… Read More
Cover photo – Mendocino Jewelry Studio – Rick and Megan Sacks
One of the best ways for a business to set itself apart in the sea of signs made with the help of… Read More
Upgrade your workbench!
Not long ago I purchased a bench at Home Depot that checked most of the boxes I would have wanted for a good… Read More
Cover photo: Carney Roofing – Brian Schofield
Creating a design that is both appealing and appropriate is essential to a successful sign or vehicle project. Nowhere is that more critical… Read More
Signs that surprise the viewer
It’s big and it doesn’t belong up there. It catches you off guard. It may look unusual, ancient or spectacular, but it certainly… Read More
