Signwriting is described as a traditional craft that’s used to generate hand-painted signs for places such as fairgrounds, historic buildings, and pubs, plus classic boats and vehicles among several others. When you have creativity and perfect drawing skills, then the job as a signwriter may well suit you.
As a signwriter you will be required to have good grammar and spelling skills. You will also have to be familiar with different lettering styles.
You do not require any particular qualifications so as to get entry into this career. But you might have an advantage when you have a qualification in subjects like design and technology, art and design, or graphic design. You will also need color-normal vision.
Work activities
As a signwriter or signs Hervey Bay, your work entails:
- Setting and laying out lettering and design
- Calculating and measuring letter size
- Preparing surfaces
- Applying paint backgrounds using spray, brush or roller
- Tracing designs onto the glass, metal or wood
- Hand-painting designs, and lettering through using enamel paint, special brushes and gold leaf
- Re-painting and retouching signs on the site
Signwriters or signs Hervey Bay may use traditional materials and techniques that include metal, glass, wood and specialized varnishes and paints.
Working hours and conditions
You may expect to work 35 to 40 hours, every working day from Monday to Friday. You might also be required to work weekends and evenings in a number of projects.
You would operate in a studio or workshop. However, you might do also some installations and repainting outdoors. The work you’re expected to do might involve working at heights and manual lifting.
Income
As signwriters are mostly self-employed, their income may greatly vary, depending on their success in promoting their services and demand.
Entry requirements
There are no standard qualifications for one to become a signwriter, though you might have an advantage when you possess GCSEs or some similar qualifications in subjects like design and technology or art.
You may also specialize in signwriting after completing a course in graphic design.
Training and development
You can be able to find some signwriter who is ready to train you. The training would generally be in-the-job. You may develop your skills through taking part-time courses in the field of graphic design.
A number of traditional signwriters provide short courses in particular skills like gold leaf gliding.
Skills, interests and qualities
- As a signwriter you should possess:
- Creative flair
- Drawing skill
- Knowledge of lettering styles
- Good grammar and spelling
- Computer skills
- Knowledge of both modern and traditional methods of producing signs
- Good practical skills
Working conditions
Hervey Bay signs or signwriters normally spend a significant amount of their time in the workshops, designing, establishing, painting and finishing their signs. Consequently, they may be exposed to different chemicals as well as chemical fumes. This implies that this occupation might not be ideal choice for those people who are chemical-sensitive. Furthermore, they do often have to operate outdoors in different locations and in different weather conditions and might have to work on scaffolding and ladders. These also come with additional risks.