oldsignpainter

Well I for one am still able to hand letter signs of all types, although I prefer to apply vinyl when needed. My father, grandfather and granduncle were all sign painters before me and I'm very grateful to have been able to have been tutored with their patient care. I have been in business on my own since the age of 20, back in '74, and still hand letter various billboard faces (when brought to me), semi-trailers and box vans, especially the ribbed and riveted versions, mesh faced tennis court screens, block walls and any other surface that cannot have applied vinyl onto it. Having this learned trade enables me to continue to perform my tasks regardless of location or electrical power and it's a profession which can be relocated to any part of the country. My father, too, got to be a witness to the vinyl producing computer generated graphics machines taking over our field of expertise and he never quite mastered the one-eyed monster sitting squarly in my sign shop once he retired and moved in with me. Now that I have become quite able with the computer and its various components, I am witnessing the influx of digitally printed, instant signage that, I fear, will someday usurp us all unless we jump onto THAT bandwagon as well. I currently have clients who, for a fee, hire me to apply their 4x8' sized print onto MDO for them and as hungry as I am for an easy buck, I comply. Easy money. I have since "farmed out" other digital print jobs and find that I too can be an all-around technical shop without the added expense of purchasing or leasing the needed equipment However, I still am proud to be a part of this brotherhood of hand letterers and will continue for as long as possible.