Adding a benchtop CNC router
I recently purchased a small benchtop CNC router for my shop. I often need to have letters cut or a small background panel… Read More
Articles
Save those good ideas for later
About fifteen years ago we first came up with the idea to create a submersible-shaped feature like the famed Okanagan Lake monster named… Read More
Looking back on my 25 years with SignCraft
It was with great sadness that I learned that this issue of SignCraft would be the last printed version produced. Although I knew… Read More
What’s it cost to make this hand-lettered plaque?
Materials: 2 sq. ft. cedar for the 20-by-16-in. blank: $15 CDN One-half liter of Sansin exterior stain: $15 CDN Misc. sandpaper, One Shot… Read More
My pinstriping roots
The magic year was 1969, a time filled with anticipation as I began my apprenticeship in the sign industry. Outside of pizza, hot… Read More
Designers at work: Ralph Toews and Sons
When he was about 15, Ralph Toews rode his bike to the sign shop of John Henry Friesen, an outstanding sign painter whose… Read More
Joe and Sandy Paffoon
Shop name: Boardwalk Designs Shop size: 5000 sq. ft. Staff: 10 Age: Joe is 69 Graphics equipment: Two HP latex printers Two Gerber… Read More
Kevin Woolbert
Shop name: Second Wind Signs Shop size: 2000 sq. ft. Age: 54 Graphics equipment: Roland printer ShopBot CNC router 24-in. Graphtec cutter Online:… Read More
Letters
Forty years of lettering vintage locomotives In 1979, when the California State Railroad Museum needed someone to hand paint the original graphics on… Read More
Shop Trucks
Send us a photo of your shop truck today at signcraft@signcraft.com or to SignCraft, P.O. Box 60031, Fort Myers, FL 33906. Read this… Read More
Lines, Harleys and blues in Durango
On his Facebook page, Kirk James’s subtitle says, “Plays blues guitar, rides Harleys and pinstripes hot rods!” That pretty well sums it up…. Read More
Tips & Tricks
Get our Trade Secrets e-letter You’ll get even more great tips in our free Trade Secret e-letter each month. You can sign up… Read More
CNC routers mean new opportunities
Sourcelist These companies offer products for CNC sign production and reach sign pros through SignCraft: CNC equipment AXYZ CAMaster Industries Gerber Scientific Products… Read More
Design & Price: Boat lettering
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
Get the letter spacing right
Computer fonts are typically designed with a generous number of “kerning pairs”. Kerning refers to the spacing between any two letters in a… Read More
A sign-making family builds an inn
The Hazelnut Inn project has now been underway for four long years. The inn is on the grounds of our shop and will… Read More
Making the most of initial-based brands
For most sign shops, company names that use initials can be the most challenging to build brands for. Many clients come to us… Read More
What’s it cost to letter this vehicle?
Materials: Two yards of black intermediate vinyl film, with application tape: $6 CDN 6 sq. ft. of digital prints, with laminate: $54 CDN… Read More
Tips from 55 years of sign painting
Back when every sign was hand painted every day, sign painters were expected to do a job right the first time, as efficiently… Read More
Designer at work: David Showalter
David Showalter sent us photos of his shop truck in SignCraft’s early days. He was a young, creative sign painter with a very… Read More
