Design skills and creativity can be learned by those who own computers just as easy, and mistakes on the computer screen are easier to fix. What we should be doing is helping them learn layout skills and color theory, use of graphics, etc

Personally I am lucky enough to have a plotter, airbrush, and brushes. But more important than the tools themselves are the wonderful caring sign people who have helped me so far.

In my opinion, this board is the best tool we have against crappy, no skilled, infringing, sloppy, low-balling, bad breath having, evil looking monsters that won't help us make the kinda money we want to make. If we continue to do things, such as Mike's idea to pass on marketing tips in a forum where we can share with each other, and help and educate each other, we will make sure we keep the art of signmaking alive.

Would it be a good idea to invite more sign people to this board and to drag em to the next letterhead meet you attend? You bet!
 

If I took the time to learn the in's and out's of hand lettering...I know I could do it well. All the other skills are there...design, color, creativity....I just am not interested in that facet of sign graphics.

I am mightily impressed by those that can do that and my hat is off to them. I am personally, in my hobby/sidejob, satisfied in vinyl creations. It's fun, rewarding, and yes.....I charge a competitive fee....and don't give away anything...(except to family and friends.)

Thanks for your supportive comments.
 

Well said.

I am one in this industry who doesn't have the practiced hand at many of the traditional skills of the sign industry. Like the vinyl folks or the pinstiping folks or guilding folks, I am at some other specialized edge of the business from the guy who paints signs the 'old fashioned way'.

It matters not how we do our creative projects. It can be with a striping sword, a plotter, a fitch, an airbrush, or me with my concrete stuff.

But we all are brothers and sisters in this thing we call Letterheads.

As such we should strive to learn our craft well and pass these skills we have on to others who are just beginning or seeking to get better.

Every branch of this trade has many things in common. Mostly it goes back to the basics. Layout, color, balance, negative space, fonts and a host of other things are common throughout out trade no matter what the final tool we use to pull off the final project.

We all can benefit greatly from the knowlege shared here on a daily basis and also at Letterhead meets.

I am proud to share what I can here and at the meets. I also am learning a great deal in these same places.

Thanks.

-dan
 

There ain't enough hours right now to learn all of the painting and lettering techiques. We use what we have to create a product that works for our customer and we are great at it. Just ask my customers. If it requires vinyl, paint or shinola we use what is required.
One more thing, it is this web site that advises us on right and wrong procedures. From sandblasting to airbrushing to getting that paint a drying.
Thank you everyone.