More of a question rather than service offering. Is there a market for someone who has tons of experience making vintage signs and trained as a sign painter? Doing old school graphics on vehicles? Here’s an example of his work; he did it to a 1939 International Pickup we sold to him. He’s in the New England area, and not too computer savvy, so I’m kind of asking for a friend. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I certainly hope so. To me, the fellows (and gals) that can do this are artists. I don't want to see computer generated vinyl becoming the norm. I watched the finale of "FantomWorks" and was disappointed to see that the painters used stencils to paint the business logo on the side of a truck. Sign painting and lettering is a skill, a trade, that I don't want to see fade away.
Hand lettering is definitely an art form. It’s fascinating to watch a skilled sign artist work. Can a person make a living doing hand painted vintage signs? I doubt it. There’s a reason most sign shops do vinyl. Vinyl is quick, profitable and works well for most signage. Hand lettering today is like most art forms. Few artists make a living from their artistic skill. It could, however, be a profitable and rewarding hobby business providing the artist is skilled and has the ability to market and deliver the product.
What he should do is stop by my place. I’ll let him do some work for me to see how he makes out. If things work out , we can give him a recommendation . Who knows- maybe he can even make some money at it! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Unfortunately, vinyl signs have taken over. The local paint store no longer sells one-shot lettering paint either. Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Igor lives nearby and his work is everywhere, he was even asked to do a large mural ( a first for him, I believe) in the Virginia Beach art district. I would say that in order to make a living at it your friend would have to be willing to travel and be able to do other things such as pinstriping, design work, etc. What a signpainter does is Art!
Soon to be a lost art as these old school sign painters unfortunately die off. Many years ago (30 some odd) I started trying my hand at it, got good enough I started getting some fleet work but it was a side job type of thing. About the time I was thinking about going full time the computer generated vinyl started getting common, I saw what was coming and changed direction. Probably very few have bothered to learn the craft in the last 30 years. Could be a good gig for someone that has the skill, it would be a limited market but not much competition to get those few jobs left where only hand painted will do.
Contrary to what some others are saying there is a good amount of sign painters still advertising and sharing their work on Instagram. In fact I just bought a hand made sign from an artist who only does this kind of work for a living. As long as folks still appreciate "hand made" then folks will be practicing the craft. So I'd say yeah there is a market for your freinds skills. If he wants people to see his work and perhaps make some $$$ at it might benefit him to learn technology enough to share his work on places like this or IG, FB etc... Sent from my SM-J727T1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I’m a sign painter. See avatar. Yes it’s a lost art. You can still get One Shot...someone on here said you couldn’t. You can buy it by the truckloads. It’s not as good as it once was. (Lead). But it’s good paint. I still do a few patina truck doors from time to time. People want these elaborate jobs. Folks...if you want it old school. It’s pretty basic. There wasn’t much fancy fonts and glitter in the day.
Shorty in Southern MD seems to still be doing well. She has been doing it for as long as I can remember. The last one is Kenny Rogers tour bus, did the whole bus with a river boat on the other side. I believe it was done back in the 80's. No it's not "lettering" but that's the point, she does it all.
Still a market for this sort of thing. You just really have to sell yourself. Definitely can't just list your business in your local yellow pages and sit back and wait for the work to start pouring in. This is the sort of thing that the internet and social media are good for. Of course this site is the closest thing to social media that I take part in so I'm no expert, but I have some friends who make some serious bucks with artsy fartsy stuff all marketed on social media.
A friend, here in Southeast Missouri, runs a successful trucking company and has all of his "Petes" hand lettered. The general "theme" is the same, but the fleet of trucks of all different colors have their own unique color combos. I don't know what the cost is, but I can't imagine the work is cheap. They have artistic flair but are far from being gaudy like some "art". Lynn
Yeah, I was wondering if this friend would want to get into painting trucks/cars that want that vintage look. See a lot of hot riders doing the racing numbers and names, like the Rolling Bones, and then all the people with old service vehicles. I guess this is something that needs to be done locally. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hello, Door signs are the usual place, until they get in the way of a good front end flame painting design. The smooth flow of the cool flames takes precedence vs. signs on doors. But, in a large panel van or even a small sedan delivery, there is the perfect spot for a good looking advertising sign and information. The look of the sign can be in an antiqued style or the same style with modern clear lettering and swoopy designs. It is the rough idea from the owner of the hot rod and then neatly painted on by the artist/painter. Jnaki This version on the orange GMC Panel Van is in contrast to another truck that I had seen in previous weeks. An old style vintage door sign, faded with the weather and outside location. This cool old Chevy Truck with a vintage door sign has disappeared from its normal parking spot, perhaps a move back to Bend, Oregon?
If he wasn't clear across the US I'd have loved to have found a vintage sign painter when I was trying to get my '39 Chev lettered back in May this year! Biggest issue I had was guys flaking out on me, and not returning my calls for wanting the work done! I got so irritated I ended up just doing it myself. Far from perfect, but at least the painter didn't let me down and not show up!
I had an old school pin striper/sign painter in Riverside, CA do the lettering on the door of my'39 p/u. He enjoyed doing it compared to his usual day to day lettering requests. Really makes the truck stand out. IMO
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