Better Letters

Projects

Sign Painting on Newcastle Pub Scoops Design Award

New hand-painted signs for Swarley's in Newcastle-upon-Tyne given Lord Mayor's design award.

Films

Face in the Sky (1933)

Video of Face in the Sky (1933), the adventures of two traveling sign painters who find an unexpected passenger in their van.

Books

Inspiration from Brazil’s Tupigrafia Magazine

Inspiring anthology from Brazil's Tupigrafia magazine, with topics from Amazonian boat signs to Art Deco magazine covers.

Learning

Pricing Sign Painting Work

Approaches to pricing sign painting work and a simple online calculator to develop a basic hourly rate for use when quoting jobs.

People

Juan 'el Petudo': Sign Painting King of La Palma

Barely known outside of the Canary Islands, Juan Santana Martin was a renowned local sign painter, leaving a lasting legacy.

Projects

Denver's Home Run: It’s Outta Here!

Mark Oatis' account of the processes and techniques used to paint a faux-aged mural sign in Denver.

Places

Sign Painter Kits at the American Sign Museum

Sign painter kits on show at the American Sign Museum, including a new late-19th century acquisition.

Learning

Sharpen Your Typographic Eye with Martina Flor

Martina Flor's free Letter Hunters course will sharpen your typographic eye and improve your lettering.

Books

Getting Graphic with The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Inside the sign- and lettering-packed graphic adaptation of 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists'.

History

Art Deco Inspiration to "Modernize Main Street"

Art Deco sign and lettering inspiration from 1935 architectural competition, "Modernize Main Street".

People

Chain Letter: Mike Meyer

Mike Meyer Sign Painter shares the stock car lettering and sign painting of his idol, Don Springer.

Events

Panels, Paints and Pints at Barcelona Letterheads

Barcelona Letterheads was a first meet in Spain for sign painters, calligraphers and lettering artists.

Projects

Mark Oatis’ Eldredge Mural in Belvidere, Illinois

Mark Oatis' 1904 Eldredge Runabout mural in Belvidere, Illinois, painted by a team in Summer 2021.

Learning

Touriga Casual by Fernando Mello

Type designer Fernando Mello shares the story of his Touriga Casual alphabet and free practise posters.

Films

When Better Letters Met Barbara Enright

Award-winning biopic about the life and work of Australian showcard and ticket writer Barbara Enright.

Films

Neon Speaks Keeps Burning Online

Neon by Eric Bednarski is a documentary film about the legacy of neon signs in Warsaw, Poland.

Books

Street Signs of All Kinds in London

Review of Alistair Hall's book, 'London Street Signs: A visual history of London’s street nameplates'.

Events

The Pre-Vinylettes’ Suffragette Centennial

The Pre-Vinylettes' Suffragette Centennial sign painting show marks 100 years of American women voting.