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Lost count of the number of times when I've been working on windows and walls ....
"Do you really still PAINT Signs? I thought computers did all that nowdays!"
Well, try doing this sucker in computer cut vinyl or a digital print !!!!!!
The 60ft x 18ft corrugated iron wall of this shed has 4 windows and a door in it! Can you see where they are (were)? The only computer input in this project, from the initial "thumbnail" sketch to the finished sign, was processing the digital photos and the cheques.
Don't get me wrong.... I use computers and vinyl all the time! They are "tools of the trade". I just feel sick that people seem to think they are replacing traditional skills with the brush.
Let's "Keep the Craft Alive"
PS: Yes, I do have more colors on my shelf other than "Sepia" (brown to you SI)hahahaha
------------------ Bushie aka Jon Butterworth Jonsigns old signwriters never retire ... they just fade into the background! Toowoomba,Queensland Australia.
[This message has been edited by Jon Butterworth (edited June 20, 2001).]
Posts: 4014 | From: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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HiYa Jon; Nice work there and YES YES YES I still paint signs!!! Funny,I used to be anti-technology until I found out I could make more money having the puter as my hired help to do all the smaller bread and butter jobs.I also use it to pounce my patterns for wall work or other Large projects.(you just can't beat a good pattern)Like you,the puter to me is just ONE of the many tools of our trade that we should all utilize in order to produce better looking work even on walls! The really sad part to me is that some of the new comers to the trade miss out on the opportunity of doing BOTH painting and vinyl.Reminds me of the people that paint calling a mahl-stick a crutch.This is only done by the people that didn't take the time to learn how to use one.This is all fine with me,as I now sub-contract to several other sign companies lettering their walls and windows.I can also produce more exact lettering faster by using the mahl-stick with more versatility than my counter parts that use the overhand method ONLY!! I feel that if we do not verse ourselves in many facets of the trade we will only hurt ourselfs in the long run by being stuck within a box,which limits our creativity and our bank accounts.Which probably accounts for my having the Duck Soup Splatter Jam in Sept.to "spill" some paint with like minded people and share my hard earned good fourtune of a new shop. Ya'll come on down! ja'hear
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Because of some physical disabilities and limitations, I don't paint at all any more. If it takes paint, I turn it down....like the big wall jobs. Can't go any further than 3 rungs on a step ladder, either. I thought that would cut down productivity quite a bit, but, as it turns out, I forced myself to do everything possible on a 'puter, which put the major part of production "in-house",with the exception of windows and some vehicles. I thought I'd really miss the painting, but the computer, plus all the available Programs,has made EVERYTHING pssible, and much less physically demanding. I'm almost 62, so who needs to climb a ladder anymore!
------------------ Bob Burns Bob Burns Signs
1619 Oregon Ave. Prescott, Az 86305 1-520-778-5879
Posts: 2121 | From: Prescott, Arizona, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Yep, I do, and damn good thing too... example: Last week I had a job to repaint a sign for a company whose logo had changed. Simple job for the 'puter, right? First they emailed the file - too big, didn't work for some obscure reason. Then they sent me a disk - the eps file said "invalid" and the jpegs came up "X". Now it's getting annoying - this is wasting my time, and it's a simple enough image, fax me a copy - no, it doesn't have to be camera ready, just clean enough to copy - enlarged it with the copier to the correct size (the logo was about 7"x10"), pounce the SOB, and paint it. Oh, those are Pack My Suitcase colors? Lets see- fire red, chrome yellow, reflex blue (exact matches!) The lettering was one word, in a font I don't have (a standard or demi weight of Friz Quadrata) so I enlarged, pounced and lettered that too. In the meantime they came up with two more signs - same size and image - so I set up all three on the bench, had them painted in about an hour and a half, and charged $175 each.
This isn't computer bashing; I use it all the time, and would gladly have used it here, IF everything had been compatible, and IF I'd had the right font. But I would have spent more time than that figuring out why the damned files wouldn't open, or going around looking for a font, than the time it took to enlarge, pounce and paint. I wouldn't want to be entirely computer-dependent to produce a sign, any more than I'd like to be relying entirely on hand-drawn patterns and paint anymore. I look at each sign as a problem to be solved in the most efficient and profitable manner possible. Often that's the computer, and sometimes it's a stick with hair on the end and a can of colored liquid. So, there's a long answer to a short question.
------------------ "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson)
Cam Finest Kind Signs 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988"
Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
That is a killer looking job Jon! I see you even lettered the truck door. Can't see the windows & door,and can't even tell that it's on corrogated. Good work, I take my hat off to you for taking on a job like that. Cheers, Neil
------------------ Neil Riley Riley Signs Adelaide, South Ozzz A "Down Under" Supporter!
Posts: 157 | From: Adelaide, South Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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I still use a handsaw (sometimes) too. There is an old saying "Use the right tool for the right job" and it applies in this trade too....still. Congrats on using "the right tool".
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Hi John! Yup, still paint, whenever I can, and I STILL SUCK at it! I will never be as good as you! On corrugated, no less! You da man! Love- JILL a little can of 1-Shot goes a long way- a roll of vinyl usually only goes about 10 yards...
------------------ Jill M. Welsh
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Yup...still wet the brushes whenever the job warrants it. Also had an interesting experience today. Quoted a customer on doing a 4x8 sign $600.00 using vinyl only...$1,200.00 using all paint only, but with a little enhancement added. He picked the "paint only" option.
Being a "dinosaur" is beginning to have some added value in the eyes of some folks out there. Now if I can just find another dozen or so like him...
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
posted
paint= more profit, more fun! puter= funny shaped paint brush!
luv the workjon... as always
oh and by the way we have a mens dunny saved for you in portland, a bushie only wall... and yup i think when u see it u will agree it needs sepia! hehehe
cheers gail
------------------ on chat T2
Gail & Dave NSW Australia
taurus@kooee.com.au
sumtimes ya just gota!
Posts: 794 | From: 552 O'Regans Creek Rd Toogoom Qld 4655 Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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I agree, use the right tool for the job. I hate corrugated, nice job though. I often will paint a job because it is more practical or economical. Just finished a large window yesterday. Did the job in 1 1/2 hours including travel, 4 ounces of paint in 4 colors with some left over. I figure I would have spent the better part of an hour on the job applying vinyl PLUS cutting, weeding and applying ap tape, then add the travel too. Like that profit.
------------------ Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio Greeley, Colorado, USA kent@smithsignstudio.com
Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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I do quite a bit of hand lettering. About 40 or more shocards a year for a large mall near me that likes the casual look. Lots of the less elaborate 4x8's because I can letter the big stuff fast and save a lot on vinyl. Lots of footballs & basketballs ( vinyl won't stick ). Canvas and vinyl awnings, banners and paper signs. And I letter about 15 taxi cabs a year ( they like paint cause it's easy to touch up ) I do some trucks in paint, especially if they include cartoon type art. As well as an occasional brick or block wall.
I have nothing against vinyl, I think it's great for many jobs, but I really feel that paint can earn you more money in the right situation.
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hi neighbour nice job drive past it every day you should post the military tanks as well that should more than prove to SI you use more than sepia. Jon I think we need to send somebody a dictionary on the right spelling of TYRE
------------------ Ian Wilson Signmaker Toowoomba City Council Cnr Anzac Ave & Stephen st Toowoomba Queensland Australia may all your toubles be little ones The man that never make a mistake never makes anything
[This message has been edited by Ian Wilson (edited June 23, 2001).]
Posts: 656 | From: Toowoomba Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ya parked that rig kinda close to tha building didn't ya Jon? Great work! As for the question in your topic,...yes but only on days that end with "Y".
------------------ fly low...timi/NC is,.....Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC http://artistsfriend.com/signs
posted
Nice job John, Now, if I could just get one of you Mates to give me a call, and let me HELP on something like this now that I am in Oz, for keeps!!! I would love to be a hired hand for the Big Jobs. I would also hope that my choice of a coldie is Toohey's Old wont get in the way. I am just an email away.
Sylvania, NSW Ain't life good!
------------------ Bill Davidson No More Signs San Leandro, CA
Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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HEY- You spelled "TIRE" wrong! Aren't you guys glad I caught that before it went to the customer! Boy, would you look stupid! You can just e-mail me to show how grateful you are.
------------------ Steve Barba is the proud owner, president, & sole employee of Sturgis Sign Works. "B0LT" on the chat room thing. 209 Oak Drive Sturgis SD 57785 sbarba2616@dtgnet.com 605-720-7667
Posts: 768 | From: Sturgis South Dakota | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Those tires are ferociously realistic looking, and I had to take your word to believe it was painted! It's coming out of the picture! Do I handpaint? Really out of practice, and don't do the freehand letters without lines, that is where I dropped off learning. I will never quit painting cartoons and animal renderings. They are fun, fun, fun! The feel of the paint with the brush just has a quality of it's own. Even if ya don't brush, just come on and try! Put those machines away for a bit and get down! Mahl sticks? They are a wonderful tool, if you learn to use them. I use my arm to rest my other arm on since I was up on a ladder and was limited on holding tools, but mahl sticks will actually take some of the stress out of your back and neck. No kidding!
ps. and don't believe Jill, she is really cool with the brush!
------------------ Deb Creative Signs "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime."
[This message has been edited by Deb Fowler (edited June 22, 2001).]
Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
as the name goes...so goes my work....luv to paint....not so much on the small stuff(thats what computer/cutters do well)but the big stuff..with a 3"roller and 1" truck flat...can work faster then anyone hangin wallpaper...and the best part with paint..you dont have ta go back over it to look for bubbles....heheheheheh
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
The best thing about this business is no matter how much times change, no matter what new tool comes out, and no matter how much you learn, you CAN USE IT ALL. Some days, I do nothing but sit in front of this computer and do layouts and cut vinyl, others I only turn it on to check e-mail, while I stripe something(s)...
I try to PAINT EVERYDAY. It keeps you in tune, I think. Just last week, I striped a PT Cruiser. It was the first time I'd loaded up a brush in about two weeks. The first design got trashed in two swipes of a lacquer thinner rag, but the next one, after I'd "warmed" up, was dead on what I wanted (customer dug it, too). And I felt good after I was done, like I'd accomplished somethin'.
I try to keep somethin' "painted" around the shop all the time. All the panels and displays I have in the shop are mainly paint. That way, when they ask "Is that a sticker?", I can say "No, that's ALL paint." which usually leads to em' gettin' some paint of their own...
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