Effective wrap design gets more important every day
In the early days of wraps, almost every wrap turned heads, simply because they looked radically different than conventional truck lettering. But over… Read More
Articles
Profile: Peter Blackman
Shop name: Blackman Designs Shop size: 900 sq. ft. Staff: 2 Age: 66 Graphics equipment: Roland VS-540 printer/cutter Royal Sovereign laminator Online: www.blackmandesigns.com… Read More
Small signs, big messages
I do a lot of small signs, either secondary informational signs or just those that are limited by the space or the use…. Read More
Learning to hand letter for the second time
Nine years ago, I acquired myself a brain injury. In hindsight, I’d much prefer to have acquired a boat or small vacation home… Read More
Plain talk about getting deposits
Really, it’s simple. If someone asks you to do work for them, you should expect to be paid for your time. Call a… Read More
Sell the subtle aspects of branding
One of many lessons I’ve learned from visiting Disney theme parks is the importance of branding, which is the way a business creates… Read More
Signs deliver powerful first impressions
When it comes to making a good first impression, nothing compares to the impact a great sign or truck wrap can make. It… Read More
What’s it cost to produce this 72-by-44-in. overlaid plywood sign?
Materials: One sheet of ½-in. overlaid plywood: $60 Cutting charge: $25 White Oracal 751 film, 24-by-10-in.: $20 Digital prints: $10 Application tape: $6… Read More
Race car graphics at 1/25th scale
Way back before video games totally engulfed the younger generation, an innocent world existed where kids made things by hand to play with… Read More
Profile: Danny Dean
Shop name: Dynamic Signs Design Shop size: 1200 sq. ft. Staff: Danny and Sherry Dean Age: 60 Graphics equipment: Graphtec FC-5100 cutter ULTRA-Flex… Read More
Design & Price: Tow truck 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: Randy Howe
Randy Howe’s shop, Getzum Exposure, is in the small town of Port Dover on the shores of Lake Erie. It’s a small town… Read More
Profile: Donna Larocque
Shop name: Donna Larocque’s Sign Shoppe Shop size: 560 sq. ft. Staff: Donna plus part-time help as needed Graphics equipment: Graphtec CE5000-60 cutter… Read More
Letters
Who needs dimensions? Dear SignCraft, Thought you might like this photo I got from a customer when I asked them to send measurements… 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
Stripes & Graphics: Ken Klim
Along with the 4-by-8s, storefront signs and truck lettering jobs at his sign shop, Ken Klim has always done plenty of pinstriping—and automotive… Read More
Substrate roundup: Balancing cost and performance
Sourcelist: substrates Aluminum composite material/ACM 3A Composites USA Grimco Laminators Inc. Mitsubishi Plastic Composites Nudo Products Inc. United Industries Engraving materials Duets by… Read More
Tips & Tricks
Using Evernote for job tracking and history I use the Evernote app to keep track of all customer communications, which is something I… Read More
Creating textured letters with Gorilla Glue polyurethane glue
Materials: Gorilla Glue No. 11 X-Acto knife Paper mixing cup, stirring sticks 2-by-4-in. corrugated plastic scraps Gold leaf Createx Pure Pigment Paint mask… Read More
Practice pays off
The sign trade can span a wide range of skills from hand lettering, wood carving, calligraphy, vinyl application, design, glass work, screen printing,… Read More
