Tips for working with type in Illustrator and Photoshop
Over the years, with each upgrade, Adobe “sneaks in” some pretty cool features into their premier pair of design programs: Illustrator and Photoshop…. Read More
Articles
The challenges of concept design
I often get asked if we charge for design. The answer is always “Yes!”—with one caveat. We do charge upfront for design, but… Read More
Adapting logos to vehicles
When you think about designing wraps for vehicles, it’s akin to putting a puzzle together—making sure all the elements fit together, and making… Read More
What’s it cost to produce this 3D entrance sign?
Materials: 4-by-5-ft. 3/4-in. PVC board: $120 2-by-4-ft. 1/2-in. PVC board: $40 2-by-5-ft. ¼-in. PVC board: $30 4-by-5-ft. 4mm corrugated plastic: $7 1 quart… Read More
Design Clinic: Restaurant window signs
Much of my work in recent years centered around fascias and vehicle graphics, but it wasn’t always that way. In my early days,… Read More
CNC routing lets you sell the value that 3D adds
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: Window 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
Designer at work: Dave Correll
Dave Correll’s 35-year career in the sign business has taken him in a lot of directions, from sign painting to 3D sign making… Read More
John Teeto
Shop name: Teeto Signs Shop size: 1800 sq. ft. Staff: 3 Age: 60 Graphics equipment: Gerber Omega software Gerber cutter Online: www.teetosigns.com The… Read More
Cracking the laser marking and ID market
Although it’s amazing to see incredible detailed graphics, illustrations or even portraits rendered by laser, a far more common use is laser marking—identifying… Read More
Letters
Andy Cochran: 1964–2018 Dear SignCraft, Andy Cochran, 54, of Woodcraft Sign Shoppe, Kewaskum, Wisconsin, died of ALS on October 16, 2018. He was… Read More
Rob Estes
Shop name: Brushstroke Signs Shop size: 2400 sq. ft. Age: 49 Graphics equipment: MacBook Pro Graphtec plotter ShopBot 4×8 router Online: www.brushstrokesigns.com 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
Steve Davidson
Back in the mid-eighties, Steve Davidson, now 56, started taking night classes in the sign program at Los Angeles Trade Tech, where his… Read More
Darren Wenzel
Shop name: Gasoline Art Shop size: 1440 sq. ft. Age: 47 Graphics equipment: Plenty of brushes and airbrushes plus a Roland VG-540 printer/cutter… Read More
Tips & Tricks
Have a tip to share? Be a part of SignCraft! Share your favorite shortcuts, gadgets used in your shop and other time-savers. Email… Read More
Logo design for truck wraps
Nearly all of our truck wrap designs first involve a brand redesign or building one from scratch. The nice thing about that is… Read More
The magic of three-tier pricing
Mike’s approach has helped sign people boost profits for over three decades Thirty-two years ago, Mike Jackson wrote an article, “Price your work… Read More
A landmark sign for a pet hospital
Not long ago, a veterinarian from a neighboring town dropped by our shop. She wanted to rebrand her business with one of our… Read More
What’s it cost to produce this 23-by-32-in. sandblasted sign?
Materials: Allwood western red cedar sign blank: $130 Sandblast mask: $45 Paint: $30 Total materials: $205 Labor: Design: 20 minutes Cut panel to… Read More
