Better Letters - BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)

"Grave No.7, approx. 800, April, 1945" and "Grave No.2, approx. 5,000, 24th April 1945"

History

Sign Painting the Horror of the Belsen Concentration Camp

The sign painting work of Reginald Price commemorating the dead at Belsen concentration camp.

Painted sign saying 'Helsinki Letterheads'.

Events

A Steamy Letterheads in Helsinki, Finally...

Sign painters at Helsinki Letterheads were given the five-star treatment with a sauna and a hot tub.

A doctor's kit bag painted to advertise a sign painter and mounted to the rack of a bike

People

Two Wheels Good—Even Better Lettered

Sign painter bicycles around the world lettered to advertise their sign painting services.

Books

Sign Production in Ghost Signs: A London Story

Full text and accompanying images from the 'Sign Production' chapter of Ghost Signs: A London Story.

Hand-painted letters with upright appearance.

Learning

Taking Inspiration from Vintage French Sign Alphabets

Bruno Durand guides his practise with reference to alphabets in vintage French sign painting books.

Events

Sign Painting a Festive Farewell to the Fair

The Letterheads were out in force for the last ever Signwriting Festival at Carters Steam Fair.

History

Messages Made to Last: Painted Ceramic Advertising Murals

A whistle-stop tour of Europe's key locations for painted ceramic advertising and decorative murals.

Learning

From Initial Contact to Signed Contract

How to successfully manage the process from client enquiry to getting the sign/mural/lettering job.

Places

Rótulos of Cuauhtémoc: The Whitewashing of Vernacular Signs in Mexico City

The food stalls in Cuauhtémoc are having their hand-painted signs erased by order of the mayor.

People

Sign Painting on the Small Screen in Ireland

Illustrator Holly Pereira presents Irish TV show featuring sign painting, among other crafts.

History

Ye Olde Sign Shoppe: Smeed's Smart Signs

The story of Smeed's Smart Signs in Herne Bay, Kent, and its surviving gilded glass shopfront.

Painted sign giving the illusion of an illuminated neon sign.

Learning

The Secrets of Dapper Signs' Faux Neon Effect

Dapper Signs' guide to creating faux neon lettering using sign painting and airbrush techniques.

Gold leaf and painted letters on a mirror advertising Richmond Bouquet Cigarettes.

People

Chain Letter: Alex May Hughes

Sign painter, glass gilder, and Simpsons fanatic Alex May Hughes shares lettering that has inspired her.

Events

Online Exhibits at the Lettering Arts Trust

Free virtual tours of Lettering Arts Centre exhibitions, and the work of the Lettering Arts Trust.

Men wading in water to paint a sign on a wall.

Books

Issue 01 of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine) is Here

A look inside Issue 01 of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine): Adventures in Sign Painting.

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.