/r/SignPainting

Photograph via snooOG

SignPainting is your Reddit stop for all (sign) things pre-vinyl. Share resources, make friends, offer advice, spread the love for hand painted signs.

A place to share Sign Painting resources and inspiration. There's not a lot of information out there, and there aren't a lot of Sign Painters out there, so let's share and share alike!

kindred subreddits:

r/typography

/r/SignPainting

5,961 Subscribers

3

Should I get the Ed Roth enamel paint set?

Should I get an Ed Roth enamel paint set or just go with the "buy once, cry once" approach and start collecting One Shot? I'm brand new to sign painting. TIA

2 Comments
2024/12/01
17:17 UTC

11

Easel pics!?

I'm about to make my first table top easel for the shed when I start this sign painting journey.

So it got me imagining what everyone out there is using, I'm a huge behind the scenes freak when it comes to work spaces. Would love to see some pics of where the magic happens if you want.

I'll post mine soon when I'm finished

4 Comments
2024/11/28
23:07 UTC

8

Resources

Hey everyone, I'm just getting into sign painting on my own, but being from a small town in Texas I don't have access to classes or anything but I am reading all the main books and practicing myself.

Going the self taught route I've been running into not finding much out there other than the books.

What I'm hoping for is communities, podcasts, discords, etc. To just lurk and learn, get inspired, practices I can mimic to help with fundamentals.

Thanks!

9 Comments
2024/11/27
21:25 UTC

5

Gold backup black in Canada?

Howdy folks, curious how my fellow Canadian sign painters get ahold of Nazdar/gilders back up black. (Southern Ontario)

I'm keen on avoiding getting a P.O box and driving to Buffalo to pick up but if it's the only option, I'll do so.

Cheers, Joshua

0 Comments
2024/11/27
04:06 UTC

157

Closed For Lunch

Got tired of having t

4 Comments
2024/11/26
01:13 UTC

97

I had a really good time making this one

1 Comment
2024/11/25
22:18 UTC

8

Can window painting make windows crack?

I just finished painting a storefront window and a local artist advised me that using certain types of paint (especially thicker and darker) can make windows crack; it apparently happened twice to her knowledge. Does anyone know what would explain that and what to do to avoid it? I’m not finding anything on the internet.

7 Comments
2024/11/25
15:13 UTC

1

New documentary with Texas sign painter Sean Starr

Wanted to shared this new documentary about Texas sign painter Sean Starr. The intro goes into his history as a sign painter/gilder then he takes an epic adventure to the country of Nepal where he meets artisans and takes a motorcycle ride in the Himalayas.

2 Comments
2024/11/25
14:38 UTC

13

New references and inspiration? Have you seen these?

I enjoy searching the archives for references and inspiration. If you haven't checked out this resource, here's a link to an example. Also, search decoration and ornament, or specimens, design, etc.

Specimens of printing types : ornaments, borders, corners, rules, emblems, initials, &c. : MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan Co : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

scroll way down in document for examples of fonts and borders, or icons, symbols

scroll to bottom of screen for similar titles

1 Comment
2024/11/25
13:47 UTC

106

Some new ones, I love the colors, bold and eye catching from the highway

5 Comments
2024/11/24
16:27 UTC

9

Signpainting/ pinstriping practice

Do any of you fine people have practice tips and tricks that I can use when I’m not in the garage/ away from my paints? Thinking lettering practice, symmetry, supplies for practice, really anything.

2 Comments
2024/11/22
00:16 UTC

8

Ornaments painted on site…

I want to try and paint ornaments for folks at a craft event but I don’t know what to do about paint taking forever to dry…

Maybe could use Japan color or something like that but not quite as durable, or maybe should go the way of acrylic on plastic ornaments?

It also occurred to me that I could use the old spray paint in a cup trick and use something that will dry quick-er…

I’m just hoping to avoid someone buying something and then immediately smearing wet paint on something…

Any thoughts?

12 Comments
2024/11/20
04:36 UTC

9

Headstock badge restoration

Cinelli headstock badge I restored and repainted. All one shot.

2 Comments
2024/11/18
16:14 UTC

5

Gilding questions

  1. Any everyday materials I can use to make a burnishing pad? I don’t have any velvet or suede lying around.

  2. Is there a window for burnishing after gilding or could I theoretically guild today and burnish tomorrow or a week from now?

  3. My understanding of clear-coating is: If it’s going to be outside or in a high traffic area then clear coat is a must, but it WILL yellow. If it is indoors and not in a vulnerable spot then it’s best not to clear coat at all. Is this correct?

  4. Is there any difference in 12k vs 24k vs any other k gold in terms of look or application?

Thanks in advance to all of you very cool people with skills I so long for.

2 Comments
2024/11/16
12:43 UTC

5

how do i layer acrylic paint on a window? + what should i do to avoid a streaky look at night?

i am using white paint to create a cute winter scene for a citywide window decorating contest. i have to paint in two layers. the paint dries pretty fast, but the wet paint seems to reactivate the dry layers underneath. will sponging it on work better? the brushes i haven't aren't great quality.

it's on a set of four doors, painted inside. it's getting cold here so that may be an issue.

it looks GREAT during the day but it looks...not-so-good at night due to the light from inside illuminating every streak. i am thinking of putting cardboard wrapped in black paper behind it. this is kind of tedious, so other suggestions would be welcome.

9 Comments
2024/11/14
14:59 UTC

2

Help with outdoor process

I'm new to window painting but worked for a sign painting shop for a year a while back and loved it. Id love to hear advice on working outdoors as far as cleanup, brush maintenance, not having a wash sink, etc! Temporary art uses much thicker paint then what we were using (one-shot)

2 Comments
2024/11/13
18:20 UTC

61

First glass painting

Did this for the outside of the pop up bar at my full time gig. I am proud of the lettering, but see so many mistakes in my figures 😬

7 Comments
2024/11/13
05:30 UTC

0

Insurance and Benefits?

Hi Everyone,

I'm fairly new to this subreddit, and I wanted to ask a quick question. I currently work in public administration but I have been interested in sign painting for a couple of years now. I was thinking that maybe after a couple more years of experience and the right practice, I could maybe go to school for sign painting or do an apprenticeship; maybe start up my own practice. If I pursue sign painting as a profession, how would insurance and benefits work? I assume that if I work for someone else's practice that it would be offered normally, but if I were to freelance are there any resources for people who start their own businesses? I would love to hear anyone's opinion, and please correct me if I'm wrong, I am totally a newbie who is just thinking about turning a passion into a living. :)

Bonus if you could please tell me about what the common clientele for your sign painting (i.e. tattoo shops, restaurants), I would love to hear your personal experiences. Thank you!

11 Comments
2024/11/13
03:32 UTC

129

NEW ONE !!!

4 Comments
2024/11/12
02:31 UTC

24

Small sign for my best friend's first born. heir to the ginger throne, Sigurd the babe 👑

0 Comments
2024/11/11
23:52 UTC

68

My very first try of the sign for practice.

16 Comments
2024/11/11
18:55 UTC

112

Made this today.

4 Comments
2024/11/09
13:28 UTC

1

Advice for letting an enclosed trailer

Have a job to letter a logo on an enclosed trailer and have a concern about how to apply paint to seems in side panels. Im concerned about cracking if I apply a bead of paint over seem in side panels or if I should do a line that joins at the seem. Anyone got any advice Id appreciate it. Using oneshot, all black. Im probably over concerned but I want to make sure its done properly.

10 Comments
2024/11/09
00:30 UTC

2

Adding legs to A-Frame after paint.

Hey all! I’ve just about finished an MDO A-frame but Im wondering if I can add legs or something to give it a 3 inch lift. (Should have just cut the legs from the start) Any suggestions or recommendations? I’m a little nervous because I know I’m going to have to drill some holes into it 😭 Thanks so much!

1”1/4 MDO Unsealed at the moment, painted with enamel.

10 Comments
2024/11/08
18:45 UTC

2

Question about aluminum blanks

I have a few of these little aluminum sign blanks I want to put words on. One side is bare metal and the other is what looks like a thin layer of gloss white paint of some sort. Before I attack these things is there prep to either surface aside from a good cleaning and degreasing that I should be doing? It looks like it’d be good to paint straight away, but I am self taught and don’t have enough experience to know enough to know.

3 Comments
2024/11/08
08:41 UTC

62

When playing and practice combine…

My ocd pays the price. Painted using 1shot on a 9x12 canvas for some small brush practice. Realized pretty quickly that the texture of the barely prepped canvas + old house in summer with no A/C and wrong reducer + small size brushes (mainly Kafka script liners 5/0 and 0) + a little OCD + small dog jumping on me to check my work=a fair bit of frustration. Lotta lessons learned on this little practice piece that was only intended to play with some block letters. At least my kids liked it. All hand drawn and hand painted. As always any and all pointers and advice is welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

1 Comment
2024/11/08
08:27 UTC

165

Practice makes..more practice

Practice brush casual alphabet on tracing paper using Alphakrylic jet black with some Liquitex Slow Dry medium. As some these turn out somewhat acceptable, I decided to throw a shadow on it with random teal and border it with red, border needs work but in my defense I know I rushed it and paid the price. I know I should do these more often but I shoot for at least one a week. Any and all pointers and advice welcomed, always trying to learn.

3 Comments
2024/11/08
08:08 UTC

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