Holy Cow! This business is really starting to get confusing...and I'm 'in' it!
Sign Printers: digital printing Sign Writers: hand painting signs Sign Crafters: 3D carving, gold leaf etc. Sign Stickers: vinyl shops
How does one classify themselves?
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
This has always been a difficult thing at our shop. We settled on...
Designers and builders of themed dimensional signs and environments
-grampa dan
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
Retired Sign Painter or Splash Artist Now just a "painter" or 'pxnt' at the end of my name.
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
Don't even try. If you can create effective logos with software and have callused hands from post hole digging and enough tools to qualify as a carpenter, electrician, or any other trade, then there is just no name for us.
Well, maybe one: Underpaid!
[ October 22, 2014, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Mikes Mischeif ]
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
LOL Mike...I agree with what you said...EXCEPT the "underpaid" part.
If anyone is underpaid then they need to up their prices and never back down from a quote.
There are so many folks in the business who have more creativity and ability in the fingernail of their little finger than I ever had....But they "seem" to give away their talent because they love what they do.
Being in the sign business SHOULD involve managing the business like any other business person would.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
JOE...................hehehehehehehe
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Since I do vinyl, paint, digital print, and 3D carved & sandblasted, I call myself Sign Maker.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Ring Ring,, " Is the the Sign Lady?" "Yes!" Ring Ring,,"Is the the Pinstriper?" "Yes!" Ring Ring,,"Is this the sticker Lady" "Yes" Ring Ring,,"This is the IRS, Are you the proprietor of this business" "Ahh, nope, I'm just the cleaning lady." I guess with me it depends on who is calling.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
LOL...I like that Alicia!!!!
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
"Esteemed and Honorable Signmaker Extraordinaire"...well...maybe that's a little over the top.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Clicker, Dragger and Sticker of Vinyl Extraordinaire......Previously a Sign Painter.
[ October 22, 2014, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Donald Miner (Member # 6472) on :
Rusty, you have hit the nail on the head. Honestly, if you can't blow your own horn, no one else can! Peace, Don
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
We call ourselves "sign artists"
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
Yep....
"SignArtist" here.
Also....I do charge a lot of money for my SignArt and find that people are more than willing to handover serious money for our work....and I am always backlogged and do very little vinyl.... and this is in a small community of 20,000 people.
What's up with that?
Jackson
[ October 23, 2014, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: Jackson Smart ]
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
One of my best friends refers to me as "the friendly neighborhood sign chick". Of couse, he knows I have the ability & mischievous mind to make his life miserable. He has heavy equipment & I'm just waiting for one of his dozers to be somewhere I can safely sneak to it at night... I already converted the CAT logo file to say DOG. It WILL be changed without his knowledge so I can see how long it'll take him to notice.
A fellow firefighter calls me the "sticker chicker".
I usually just call myself a sign maker, although as I'm going to need new business cards with the new address on them, I'm really liking the idea of putting "friendly neighborhood sign chick" as my title.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
seems no matter what YOU LABLE yourself as..........bottom line is.....WHAT DO people who hire YOU......CALL YOU))))))) for the longest time i never had a business name checking account. when i got the storefront i did get a business checking. since i had the shop name, and the mobile unit name i put both on the checking account. A SIGN MINT or SIGN HERE & NOW(was on the side of truckin big letters)so there was no mistaking who i was))) people......ALWAYS write the check to WHO THEY THINK YOU ARE)))) joe the sign guy, joe's signs, sign man.....signs......have had to remind these folks...BANK NEEDS COMPANY NAME!!!!!! no more business account.......only personal checking my name only. dont do a lot with checks, mostly cash nowadays. or they can bring me cash from their bank. so much simpler.
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
Back to Dave's comment.
My area here in the Dc Metro has surpassed San Francisco as Number one for highest Cost of Living expenses.
Our standard hourly rate is now $165/hr. The problem we now face is the competetion sees these prices and are willing to drive an hour each way to cash in. I was doing lettering in our new mall and met guys from as far away as Delaware who were driving 90 min. each way every day.
It's not uncommon to see trade vans with area codes from Baltimore to Richmond....
Go where the money is I guess.
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
All good comments.
There are about 5 shops in town, 2 are "other" businesses that started making signs in the past few years. One is a printing company that does digital printing and soft signs, the other a trophy and t-shirt company that bought a plotter when I no longer was willing to work with them (long story).
The other two sign shops do primarily vinyl only. What sets me apart from them is the 3D work, the multi-panel, gold leaf etc.
I just wanted to make sure I advertise myself with something that sets me apart from them.
Well..as if "Black Sheep Designs" wasn't indication enough!
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Shirley,
This might help:
RD
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
Thanks Ricardo....a nice "clean' sheep picture! You know what I mean...
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Shirley,
You are different and they are the same. You will not have any problem, at all.
Good luck !
RD
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Some thoughts OP
You really have a caps lock problem don't you?
Keep spouting off about being a cash only business in a public forum and you might get a visit from the local IRS agent.
And you may want to get tested for Parkinson's because when you type a period or ) you seem to get the shakes.
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Laughing at Dave)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Joe...I'm sure you make a lasting impression on those you do work for...you are a very colorful and memorable character...with a good...but somewhat warped...sense of humor...Letterville would not be the same without Joe...I still think your craziness could be the results of oxygen deprivation to the brain...you know from that time as a kid when your friends hung you just for fun.
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
That's what I've always loved about Letterville.
It's a wonderful collection of MIXED NUTS!!!! (I caught that from Joe)
My handle (or whatever) is "Signcrafter" not necessarily totally original; works for me. That's what I do.
[ October 24, 2014, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Dale Feicke ]
Posted by Bill Davidson (Member # 531) on :
A mechanic with the brush.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Rust, you're right. We need Joe here, but I hope they broke the mold if you know what I mean.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
hey "SHER-BERT"..... iam 69 on social security....dont give 2 schits about the IRS...if they come after me THEY PROBABLY WILL WIND UP PAYING ME...........hahahahahahahaha. for the amount of work i do........iam not worth the trouble)))))) i love MY CAP LOCK.......iam a sign guy....still belive a banner should be ALL CAPS!!!!!!!! really p.o.'s me to see a banner with LOWER CASE letters as main copy. stupid arse printer dont know no better!!!!!!! thank you rusty.....you a piece of work.....on your own))))))))))
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
THANKS JOE)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Joe,
Allow me to throw some more logs into the fire....I love controversy......Check this out, Joe:
Don't get me wrong, Joe......We like you, in Oklahoma.
RD
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))) Yep, mixed case is easier to read.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
SO YOU SAY.....sher-bert)))))))) the problem with LOWER CASE COPY....... for signs is easy to understand. ALL CAPS...... all words sit on the base line and top line....... lower case has 3-4 different base lines, TOP, d,b,h i line, then the base line for a,n,m,w,u,r,e,x,z..t, f, j, then p, q,g, y......are on another!!!!! QUICK AND EASY...... in all caps quick and easy in all lower Quick and Easy with cap begining.... by far the 1ST ONE is the easiest to read at a distance..... then you got word with g's in em take GOOGLE google Google again the 1st is the easy read.
[ October 25, 2014, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Joe,
Those who "know" ( so they say ) and have studied this topic, abundantly, say that legibility increases 15%, when using ( properly ) upper and lower case, in the copy of a sign.
However, one of the ol' timers, from whom I learned, taught us that we should never use a line of lower case copy, with descenders ( g, j, p, q, and y ), on the bottom line of copy of a sign. We were taught to, always, use upper case on the bottom line of a sign.....Ironically, for better legibility of that bottom line.
How about that, Joe ? It would appear that you were partially right about the use of upper case.
On the other hand, Joe, here is a little publication on Sign Legibility Rules of Thumb:
[ October 25, 2014, 05:38 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
I've been doing new street signs that require the new standards. They look like crap in cap/Lower case. you can no longer center the body of the text on the metal.
Who ever came up with that should have thier eyes gouged out.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
GO MIKEY)))) my point exactly...... i also was taught by "old school" guy. he did 2-3 different block letters, and a casual script of his own creation. and whenever he did a block lettered font...it was ALL CAPS....he drew 2 lines, top & bottom......and the rest was in between the lines, O's R's P's S's just a tad more above and below the lines.....always readable. heres one of his signs on my parents bar windows...he did the lettereing late 50's....pic was taken in 68-69. [IMG][/IMG]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Joe was unmistakenly the most colorful kid in his high school class...known for his odd sense of humor and awesome mullet ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
we had you in our high school year book)))))) rusty WITH HAIR)))))))hahahahahahahahaha [IMG][/IMG]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
[ October 25, 2014, 11:06 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
[ October 25, 2014, 11:08 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
OUTSTANDING !!,.....THE GUY FROM THE MOVIE DELIVERANCE !.....HAD NO IDEA !
RD
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
My question was "What do you call yourself?"....my question has been sufficiently answered. Thank You.
[ October 25, 2014, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: Shirley Carron ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Shirley,
How about that?....We, the hijackers, did it again !
Sorry about that, Shirley, and I do hope that somewhere in this glorious hijacking, your question has been answered.
These guys are too much.
RD
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
They're kinda funny and and a bit nutty! It's all good, I'm glad they're having fun and Joe's such a good sport. No apology necessary, Ricardo.
[ October 26, 2014, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: Shirley Carron ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
ITS ALL SHER-BERT AND BRADLEYS FAULT.....it got hi-jacked.....they are a couple of nefarious dudes))) "You may not know it but these men are spies. they are undercover agents for the FBI And they been sent down here to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan!" they are snake in the grass, I tell ya guys. they may look dumb but that's just a disguise, they are masterminds in the ways of espionage"
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
And for my next post..."What do you call each other"?
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
"Uneasy Rider" Joe????
Love that tune!
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
See??? I told you!!!! ))))))))))))))))
((((((((( MIXED NUTS!!!!!! )))))))))))))
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Wow, I miss a few days and this thread goes to second page.
Ricardo... don't go trying to confuse Joe with facts.
Joe, where did I say that you should ALWAYS)))))))) use upper case. I simply stated that lower case is easier to read. GOOD sign layout uses what is best for the sign. Sometimes words with descending letters make the layout unbalanced and this is where all uppercase would benefit the sign layout. You really need to read Mastering Layout by Mike Stevens. Wait a minute, don't bother. It contradicts what you think, therefore he must be wrong. )))))))))))
Wow... haven't been called SHER-BERT since grade school. Not a spy, or FBI guy, just trying to look out for your well being Joe, obviously you don't.
[ October 27, 2014, 02:48 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Dave/Joe,
Here is a little piece of information, published in SignCraft ( July/August 1999 ) , from our friend in Minnesota.....Dave Correll....... that you guys are going to love:
P.S. --- Shirley, there goes your thread, down the drain, again........Sorry !
[ October 27, 2014, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Guys,
Shirley's new school of sign painting, in Canada...offers FREE enrollment, for those whose name start with the letter "J", who happen to live in the State of Florida......all others will pay the regular admittance fee.
Have fun, guys.
RD
P.S. --- Sorry, Shirley.......But, this is the way you can get even with those other "mean" guys, who hijacked your thread.
[ October 27, 2014, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
you need to resize that to 800X600.......
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
hey SHER-BERT.....i feel really protected...with you "lookin out fer little old me" hahahahahahahahaha.just think.....i put time in the military......PROTECTING YOU..... hahahahahahahhaa FACTS? well again like i said.......I WAS TAUGHT by an old school painter(who lived before mike stevens wrote his book)hahahahahahaha.....and HE DIDNT USE LOWER CASE....except in his SCRIPT. the windows in this pic was done 1958(i was learning from him, I was 13)!!!! ALL CAPS...all freehand)))) [IMG][/IMG]
[ October 27, 2014, 06:13 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
HERE ......another perfect example of "old school" pre mike stevens sign painting. the same guy that taught me i think did this wall. was done 1953-55.we bought a new 1953 ford here. if he didnt, there styles are very similar..FOR THE PERIOD))) only lower case......in the script. FACT. [IMG][/IMG]
[ October 27, 2014, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Joe...and many years ago the old wise men thought and taught others that the earth was flat.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
Rusty - was that BEFORE Mike Stevens came along and turned Joe's world upside down?
[ October 27, 2014, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: Shirley Carron ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
one of the most famous signs.......BERMA SHAVE...all CAPS...and then this one...no lower case....hahahahahahahahaha [IMG][/IMG]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
[ October 28, 2014, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Joe, why do you keep showing me examples of all upper case signs? 9 out of 10 designs I do are all upper case. I originally was referring to your posts in Letterville whcih are not signs. It's your jumping around from lower to upper case in here that........
OK, I'm done. Life is too short to try to help some people.
[ October 28, 2014, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
GEE DAVIE........ya know ...like i said iam 69.....did grade school, lerned english, spellin, and all that ....went ta college, had a 3.5 GPA... and really dont give 2 ****s.....IF MY USE OF UPPERCASE in not to youre liking.....and all the cajouling, promting and wonderful giudance you wish to bestow upon me.....from the kindness of your heart..........NOTHING IS GONA CHANGE))))))))))))))))glad you wana get on with your life........hahahahahahahahahahahaahhaa i still luv ya...........
[ October 28, 2014, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
That reminds me....maybe I'll check out and watch "Grumpy Old Men" tonight...or I could just wait for Joe's next post.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Rusty, why should Joe be grumpy? He died and came back! How many people get to do that?
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Ouch !
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
as the old saying goes...... DYING IS EASY(was quick and painless) hehehehehe .......its the LIVING that is hard))))))
[ October 29, 2014, 12:49 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Ya got that right Joe.
Posted by Bill Davidson (Member # 531) on :
Doesn't matter what they call me, or how loud they call, still can't wake me up on the couch!
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
"We all got it comin kid...take a drink"...one of my favorite Clint Eastwood lines from one of my favorite movies...the "Unforgiven".
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Joe....Sorry, I couldn't help checking out the Burma Shave images and The original logo is in upper and lower case...Not all caps.....
BUT while I was looking, I came across this sign and couldn't help but post it..
I know...The spelling isn't correct, the punctuation isn't correct and the kerning isn't right but it is ALL CAPS!!!!
[ October 29, 2014, 10:56 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
Is that one of Joe's? Where are the)))))))))))))?
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
DAVE....PAY ATTENTION... I KNOW THE MAIN LOGO WAS upper lower case.....BUT ALL THE REST....WAS CAPS))))
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
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He has heavy equipment & I'm just waiting for one of his dozers to be somewhere I can safely sneak to it at night... I already converted the CAT logo file to say DOG. It WILL be changed without his knowledge so I can see how long it'll take him to notice.
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