CHRONICLE BOOKS - Sign Painters

There was a time as recently as the 1980s when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards, and even street signs were hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been invaded by the technology-driven promise of being faster and cheaper.

The resulting proliferation of inkjet printers and computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering has introduced a progressive similarity into our visual landscape.

Fortunately, there is a growing trend toward traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the craft. This book documents a collection of these dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods, and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. It provides a history of the craft, featuring stories and photographs of more than two dozen sign painters working in cities across the United States.

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There was a time as recently as the 1980s when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards and even street signs were all hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of quicker and cheaper.

The resulting proliferation of computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has ushered a creeping sameness into our visual landscape.

Fortunately, there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the trade.

This book documents a collection of these dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. It provides a history of the craft, features stories and photographs of more than two dozen sign painters working in cities throughout the United States.