Introduction
Signwriting is a craft that has been around for hundreds of years. It’s an art form that combines typography, lettering and design to create signs that advertise businesses, inform customers and inform the public about important issues. The signwriter works alongside clients to create the perfect signage for their business or organisation, whether it’s a small shopfront or a large building. Here are 10 things you may not know about your local signwriter:
A signwriter studies many mediums.
- A signwriter studies many mediums.
- Signwriters learn to paint and carve wood, metal, stone, and other materials.
- Signwriters know how to use many different tools—drills, saws, knives and blades—on their jobs.
- This training allows them to work on a variety of projects for clients such as real estate agents who need signage for new properties; local businesses which require signs for advertisements; or restaurants that need signs for their establishments.
Signwriters are artists.
The signwriting industry is a multi-million dollar business, and the reason for this is simple, there are a lots of business get stickers Sydney to design for their brands. Signwriters are artists. Not only do they have a creative eye but also an ability to train that eye to see what your customers want and need. They can create a design from scratch or create a design from a template that you supply them with.
Signwriters know how to use fonts.
It’s a common misconception that signwriters only use one type of font, but in reality they are well versed in using a wide range of fonts on a daily basis.
Signwriters understand the difference between serif and sans serif fonts, and know how to match them appropriately with the message they want to convey. This is particularly important when creating brand logos or business names for signage purposes.
In addition to this, signwriters also understand how different fonts can be used for different purposes: for example, if you’re trying to create an eye-catching logo for your small business then a bold sans serif font will probably suit your needs better than something elegant such as Times New Roman; however if you’re designing menus or posters then it may be better that you opt for something more legible (such as Arial).
Signwriting is an ancient art.
Signwriting is an ancient art form.
In fact, signwriting has been around for thousands of years. Even the Ancient Egyptians had their own hieroglyphics – a type of signwriting that used symbols to represent words and phrases. And in Pompeii, you can see the original Roman alphabet preserved in stone by plaster casts made before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD destroyed Pompeii’s cities and homes.
Signwriters have been around for a long time too – since before humans started writing letters on paper with pens! They were found creating signs by marking on wood or cloth hundreds (if not thousands) of years ago.
Signwriters don’t only hand paint signs.
Signwriters will tell you that they can make all kinds of signs. But what they may not mention is that not all the signs they create are actually hand painted. Signwriters use a variety of machines and software to design, print, cut and assemble their signs. They also have access to vinyl cutters, which allow them to precisely apply vinyl graphics onto flat surfaces like windows or banners. These days there are even sophisticated machines that take a digital image from your computer and print it directly onto any material you choose—no more waiting weeks for your sign painter!
Signwriters are fascinated with the English language.
A signwriter is fascinated by all things language. The history of the English language, etymology and homophones are all topics that fascinate us. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings (for example: bear/bare). Homonyms are words that are spelled differently but sound the same (for example: stalk/stalk).
Signwriters will have lots of tools in their toolbox.
It’s true that signwriters use a wide range of tools, and they can be very expensive. These tools are also very specific to signwriters, as they are handmade or passed down from generation to generation.
One such tool is a Speedball® lettering guide, which helps the signwriter create letters and numbers perfectly aligned with one another. The guide is made from an aluminum bar with two holes drilled into it at either end: one for your chosen typeface and one for the end of your paintbrush handle. You slide this into your lead holder (the part that holds the metal type), then secure it using screws on each side of the holder.
The next thing you need is some ink—and we’re not just talking about any old ink! You’ll need something called India Ink or China Ink; these inks come in different colors and viscosities so make sure you choose one that suits your project best before heading out to buy some!
A signwriter has to be good at maths.
If you’ve ever seen a signwriter in action, you might be surprised to learn that they need to be good at maths. A lot of the work they do requires them to do calculations, so they often use computers to calculate measurements and other numbers. They also have to know how to read plans and talk with customers about things like sizes and materials.
Signwriters will have a flair for business and marketing.
If you’re looking for a signwriter, it’s important to know that the signwriter will have a flair for business and marketing. After all, they need to be able to sell their services, communicate clearly with clients and more importantly—the general public!
Not all signwriters are equal.
- Not all signwriters are equal.
- Some signwriters have different skillsets, business models, rates and specialities to others.
- This can mean that the price you pay for your sign might be higher than expected if you don’t shop around first.
By choosing your local signwriter, you choose someone who knows your community and what will work here – because they live here too!
Signwriters who live in the community they work in have a wealth of knowledge about their customers and the local area. They know where to get great supplies, or who is best to help them with complicated projects. They can tell you if a certain type of sign will look good on your building, or which color paint would be best for your signage.
They can also offer advice on how to get people talking about your business through social media, or even how you might find new customers through word-of-mouth referrals from other local businesses.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve learned a little more about the fascinating world of signwriting and what it takes to be a signwriter. If you’re looking for an expert in your local area, we hope we can help! Please contact us today and let us know how we can assist with your next project.