July/August 2010: Design & Price: Tractor cab door lettering
In every issue, SignCraft gives a few sign makers a scenario for a sign project and asks them to do a sketch of the sign they might have produced and to quote a price for the job. The project in this issue is a pair of tractor cab doors. You’ll see the designs, the prices, and the comments of the outstanding sign makers who participated.
July/August 2010: What’s it cost to produce the graphics for this ambulance?
John Shoffner tracked the time and the cost of materials involved in the production of the graphics for an ambulance—and along with some terrific step-by-step photos, he offers some time-saving shortcuts that will help you cut costs, too. What would you have charged for this sign?
July/August 2010: Get the most out of Photoshop’s Strokes command
Mike Jackson explains how to get the most out of the Strokes and Brushes tools in Photoshop for sign work--to create outlines, frames and more.
July/August 2010: How to make a vehicle look like it’s part of a fleet
Learn the design elements that help define the “fleet” look—and find out how you can put those skills to work for your small-business customers who are seeking a corporate look.
July/August 2010: Bill Conrad
Operated by the husband-and-wife team of Bill and Lisa Conrad, Conrad Signs, Inc., is a versatile and busy sign shop that will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary. By offering customers painted signs, truck lettering, sandblasted monument signs, pan-formed faces and more, Bill has established a loyal and diversified clientele.
July/August 2010: Brian Gavek
Brian Gavek has built a thriving home-based sign business just outside of State College, Pennsylvania, where he offers a variety of work that ranges from custom auto graphics to overlaid plywood signs to digital prints. Brian shares his thoughts on design, production, shop marketing, and more.
Jan/Feb 2010 – Bryan Hardbarger
With a lifetime of experience in sign making and advertising, Bryan Hardbarger has returned home to West Virginia and taken over his father’s sign shop. With a new location and a digital printer, Bryan shares some of the secrets that have helped him re-invent a well-established business.
Jan/Feb 2010 – Phil VanderKraats
Find out how fine artist-turned-sign maker Phil VanderKraatz grew his business on the Central California Coast, and get an up-close look at his eye-catching dimensional signs.
Jan/Feb 2010 – Fairfield , TX, gets a new image
Before & After: When Fairfield, Texas decided that it needed a new sign for the city park, the city manager contacted Raymond Chapman. That project led to a much larger project: replacing all of the municipal signs throughout the town.
Jan/Feb 2010 – The wonderful on-site quick sketch
Bob Sauls explains how rendering a quick, on-site sketch can jumpstart the creative process and help close the sale. Illustrated with quick sketches from several designers, Bob’s article will get you started sketching—and selling—in short order.
Jan/Feb 2010: What’s it cost to produce this small 3-D sign?
Wayne Bodley tracked the time and the cost of materials involved in the production of this small, dimensional “Office” sign that was made entirely from leftover material in the shop. What would you have charged for this sign?
Jan/Feb 2010 – Design & Price: 3-by-10-ft. digitally printed banner
In every issue, SignCraft gives a few sign makers a scenario for a sign project and asks them to do a sketch of the sign they might have produced and to quote a price for the job. The project in this issue is a 3-by-10-ft. digitally-printed banner. You’ll see the designs, the prices, and the comments of the outstanding sign makers who participated.
Nov/Dec 2009 - Design & Price: 2-by-3-ft for a B&B
In every issue, SignCraft gives a few sign makers a scenario for a sign project and asks them to do a sketch of the sign they might have produced and to quote a price for the job. This time it's a hanging sign for a bed and breakfast. You'll see the designs, the prices and the comments of the outstanding sign makers who participated.
Nov/Dec 2009 - What’s it cost to do the graphics on this trailer?
Chris Lovelady tracked the time and the cost of materials on this trailer lettering project, which was done with vinyl film and digital prints for the graphics. Two sides, plus the back doors—what would you have charged?
Nov/Dec 2009 - How to convert a photo into an illustration
On that blacksmith’s trailer, Chris Lovelady wanted to use the tools of the trade as an illustration, but couldn’t find clip art images. He shows you how you can quickly snap a digital photo and convert it into a graphic using Photoshop.
Nov/Dec 2009 - Creating logos with a retro look
Retro design is not only fun to do, but it can help your customer look like they’ve been around for years—creating a sense of quality and trustworthiness. Dan Antonelli tells how he makes it happen, from sources for ideas to showing examples of his approach at work.
Nov/Dec 2009 - Profile: Chris and Stu Dobell
Visit these two second-generation sign makers who found their way to Canada’s Vancouver Island from their native Australia. You’ll hear how they’ve made their niche and see plenty of examples of their great-looking work.
Nov/Dec 2009 - Profile: TW Signs
How does a two-man shop in just 1000 square feet sell and fabricate a steady flow of monument signs, and other hefty projects? Denis Tranchida tells how he and Richard Landry have been doing it for the past 25 years, and share photos of some of their recent projects.
Sep/Oct 2009: Profile: Kevin Wright
Vinyl, paint, digital prints, 3-D—this Michigan-based sign maker does a little bit of everything. He’s used to finding new ways to get the most out of tight sign budgets. Visit his shop and see plenty of examples of his excellent work.
Sep/Oct 2009: Before & After: New life for old messages
Nothing makes a better case for the power of effective signs than before-and-after photos. It’s also a great way to see what tools other sign designers use to transform the image of a business. Check out these outstanding makeovers, and feel free to swipe an idea or two.