Choose the font that suits the message
Choosing type with the proper font weight—bold, medium or light—is important for controlling in what order a sign’s message gets read. We discussed… Read More
Online Exclusives
Design & Price: Graphics for a small fleet of dump trucks
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
What’s it cost to produce this partial vehicle wrap?
Materials: Film, laminate and ink: $455 Cut vinyl and premask: $43 Total: $498 Labor: Set up and panel artwork: 1 hour Production: 5… Read More
Logo design: Who is your target audience?
As logo designers, we’re often asked to balance the perceived requirements or design parameters of the business owner with the needs of their… Read More
Step-by-step: Building monument cabinet signs
Have you ever had a customer who wanted more than a 4-by-8-ft. plywood sign mounted to a couple posts, but didn’t have the… Read More
Color contrast helps cure ailing layouts
I can’t believe how fast this year is going. It seems like weeks go by, then before you know it, the seasons have… Read More
Ask the right questions to speed the design phase
When it comes to finalizing a design for your clients—whether for their sign, truck lettering or logo—the sooner you can get it signed… Read More
Design & Price: Vehicle wrap for a VW Beetle
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
What’s it cost to produce this sandblasted sign?
Material Costs: 80-lb 1.5-in. HDU: $50 Roller cover, sandblast mask, etc.: $60 Latex paint: $30 Subcontract sandblasting: $60 Total: $200 Labor: Create design:… Read More
Color and your customers
Choosing colors involves a certain amount of risk, as your clients may not share your enthusiasm or vision for color. It is an… Read More
What’s it cost to produce this 4-by-4-ft. sign?
This was exactly the sort of project I was looking for after SignCraft asked me to put this article together. I wanted to… Read More
Avoid these 10 common sign layout pitfalls
Designers and sign makers who have been in the business long enough can easily recognize work done by newcomers. Why? Either the newbies… Read More
Design & Price: 4-by-16-ft. plywood sign
In every print issue, SignCraft gave a few sign makers an imaginary project. We asked them to do a sketch of the sign… Read More
Putting shades, shadows and outlines to work
Back in sign painting days the most common way to add some extra appeal to a letter was to add a shade or… Read More
Reuse their logo or create a new brand?
As designers, we’re often asked to create new logos based on a client’s existing logo. Oftentimes, the logo has not previously been designed… Read More
What’s it cost to produce the graphics for this enclosed trailer?
Materials Vinyl and application tape: $606 Digital printing: $115 Total: $720 Labor Design: 3 hrs. 15 min. Cut and mask film: 2 hrs…. Read More
Convert a photo into an Illustration
There are so many companies out there selling clip art that the sheer number of images seems overwhelming. But for me, it never… Read More
Step-by-step: Complex sign with a tight deadline
This project contains a mixture of basic skills and tools, along with a little help from another sign company and some of today’s… Read More
Overcoming the “I Don’t Need a Logo” syndrome
One of the changes I’ve seen in my business as I’ve transitioned from a sign company to a full service graphic design agency… Read More
What’s it cost to make this 24-sq.-ft. sign?
Materials (excluding markup) 4-by-8-ft-by-3⁄4-in. overlaid plywood: $80 Five foam roller covers: $5 Edge sealer: $2 Latex paint for back: $8 Block-out primer: $15… Read More
