A selection of books to Learn the Craft of Sign Painting In a previous column (SignLink August/ September 2023), I talked about the various ways to learn the craft of sign painting. While in-person guidance is hard to replace, there’s lots that can be absorbed via the printed word. Here’s a digest of useful titles, new and old, that would form the start of a good reference library for any sign painting student. Much like the sign painting trade itself, there was a decline in the number of books in print from the 1980s onwards. Many of these older titles can still be found in second-hand marketplaces, including Signwork by Bill Stewart, Sign Painting Techniques by Ralph Gregory, and one of the various editions of Practical Sign Shop Operation by Bob Fitzgerald. E.C. Matthews’ Sign Painting Course is another classic and, although rare/expensive to find in hard copy, it can be accessed digitally via the archive.org website. Fortunately, in line with sign painting’s recent resurgence, some new books have been published for those interested in learning its technical aspects. (Disclaimer: I was one of the team that produced Sign Painting by Mike Meyer & Friends.) These three books are very much focused on the craft of sign painting itself. However, adjacent skills like lettering and layout are just as important as the ability to wield a brush. One of the go-to layout titles within the trade is Mastering Layout by Mike Stevens, and there are numerous books that could be recommended for learning lettering, including the Lettering Manual by Ken Barber, The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flor, and The ABC of Custom Lettering by Ivan Castro. A selection of these books will have your library well stocked, and then you’ll want to start seeking out publications rich in When learning a new skill, it can be tricky to know where to begin. Sam Roberts provides a list of useful books, new and old, for those interested in learning the craft of sign painting ▲ Sign Painting By Mike Meyer & Friends Sam Roberts is the editor and publisher of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine), the world's only print and online publication dedicated to sign painting. He has written numerous books and articles on the craft and its history, and first became interested in the topic via the fading ‘ghost’ signs around London. SignLink subscribers can sign up with a special discount to the publication via bl.ag/signlink. Find more about Roberts and his work via: bl.ag ghostsigns.co.uk visual inspiration. However, this can come just as much from paying attention to our surroundings, including signs, packaging, ephemera, and printed matter in secondhand shops. ADVENTURES IN SIGN PAINTING WITH SAM ROBERTS Fortunately, in line with sign painting’s recent resurgence, some new books have been published for those interested in learning its technical aspects 28 Issue 253 - June / July 2024 www.signlink.co.uk
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