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Hello everyone! I am back again. The biz sure has changed from 'back in the day' when a real signpainter was just about the king of commercial art, storefront design, logos, etc. Now they just print it out, almost enough to make the old time vinyl guy complain about how easy the guys using new printers have it! Like the old time hand panting guy complained about vinyl at first. I learned 'old school'-painting lettering, illustrating, designing logos etc all by hand. Then I became very proficient on the computer too. So, here I am now, jumping back into the biz. Design cant be faked, that is my strong point, and advantage over those who rely too much on the machine or preset gradient fills, etc. So, considering all these changes in the industry I was involved in since 1980.... what are the 'sweet spots' in the biz now? Boat and vehicle graphics? hand pinstriping? Going to 'the historic district' to paint 'old style'? Restoring ancient murals in public buildings??? How to make a living in this business, nowadays? any suggestions?
-------------------- Light and Shadow Manzanita,Oregon shonlenzo@hotmail.com Posts: 286 | From: Manzanita,Oregon | Registered: Feb 2000
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Go wher your heart is, develop a market and have fun doing what you love. As Dave says above... The more you are out there the more you become known for it. We've been 100% 3D for decades and lovin it!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I hand paint & find my work in most areas of the trade because here in Orlando print does not last or look good & find seasoned & new business people are wanting hand painted not on everything but where it creates a good image & costs are fair. ..It is easier to say what not to hand paint because vinyl & print are way cheap.
posted
One thing about the sign business, is that there are many different facets of it. Like Dave and Dan above, they found one aspect that they can excel in, and have been successful at it.
I think finding a 'niche' is one of the tricks to being successful. Dimensional is one, vintage signage, is another. Pinstriping is good, if you have a market for it. But there are many other areas....custom mailboxes, subdivision wayfinding signs, specialty banners...etc.
The kicker is finding something you can do well, that the cheapo's can't. If you can letter and stripe, you're on your way. Find a direction.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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and it's still service...SERVICE in uppercase, actually.
We've found 3D work has muscled its way in to become about half of what we do - or more. Perhaps saying "3D" is a bit of a misnomer though.. it is three dimensional, but many of the computer files are 2D, and the result is a cut-out 2D file/object with some thickness, rather than variable 3D with varying surface shape. But we do 'real' 3D stuff too, as the work comes in.
And we're doing a lot of illuminated acrylic signs...
and still doing some hand painted stuff, and corro screen-printed.
[ September 16, 2015, 07:59 AM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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I got a real job. Being a hapless loser has its benefits...
[ September 18, 2015, 06:12 PM: Message edited by: Bruce Bowers ]
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Thanks, Everyone! Bruce- sometimes, a 'real job' can seem like a vacation compared to various alternatives!! 3d----sounds interesting. can you elaborate on that description please? I have done sandblasted, also cutout wood figures, 3d signfoamm stuff, and sculpted small things before....
-------------------- Light and Shadow Manzanita,Oregon shonlenzo@hotmail.com Posts: 286 | From: Manzanita,Oregon | Registered: Feb 2000
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Ya know Shon, my husband and I just got back from a road driving thru So. Cal into Oregon via the 99 and 101. All along the way i noticed about at least 200 signs that need a face lift. I think if I was to start off in a new area I would start with that. Do a good old fashion dry call, leave a card and hope for the best. Kinda like this, "Hello my name is,,, I noticed your sign is in need of repair, blab blab blab,,,here is my card/brochure, thank you for your time" And smile!
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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