BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & Culture
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Panel from a comic showing two lovers discussing a sign ('Amore, I ❤️ U') that the man has painted for the woman.
Films

Now Streaming: Married to Comics by John Kinhart

Comic artists Justin Green and Carol Tyler profiled in this feature-length documentary.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Nov 21, 2024 • 2 min read
A bar with bottles of beer on shelves in a window display, and hand-painted lettering on the fascia basking in sunlight.
Places

Signwriting-on-Sea: The Rich Craft Heritage of Hastings, East Sussex

Charlie Nelson on Hasting's signwriting history, and how the town continues to embrace the craft.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Nov 14, 2024 • 6 min read
Over-the-shoulder view of a woman holding a mahl stick and painting lettering on a sign board.
History

A Fascinating Collection of Hungarian Sign Painting Photos, 1906–1976

Women feature prominently in these archival images of signs and sign painters at work in Hungary.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Nov 7, 2024 • 5 min read
What is Sign Painting? Or Even Signwriting?
History

What is Sign Painting? Or Even Signwriting?

Getting under the skin of the fundamental term used to describe the trade and how it's interpreted.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Oct 24, 2024 • 9 min read
Black and white photo of a trailer decorated with flamboyant lettering advertising a fairground ride.
Events

The Fairground Painters with Amy Goodwin

Dive into the Dingles Fairground Museum collection, and meet the artists that produced the work.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Oct 17, 2024 • 2 min read
A Sign Painting Exhibition Par Excellence
Events

A Sign Painting Exhibition Par Excellence

Review of an incredible exhibition—George Biles: King of Signwriters—held in Bridport, Dorset.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Oct 10, 2024 • 11 min read
Hand-painted panels, set in the sun, with lettering and pictorials that have horse racing themes.
Events

It's a Video Finish for the Letterheads' Day at the Races

Films documenting the international gathering of sign painters at Letterheads 2024 in Epsom, Surrey.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Oct 3, 2024 • 2 min read
Top of a gable end wall with large black letters painted on it that say "One man's trash, another man's treasure".
People

Chain Letter: Guido de Boer

Visual artist and educator Guido de Boer finds meaning in a phrase painted on a Copenhagen wall.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Sep 26, 2024 • 2 min read
View of a hand holding a glass panel with shiny gold leaf and black lettering on top that, in reverse, reads 'Gold'.
Learning

A Basic Guide to Gilding Tools, Materials, and Terminology

Breaking down the jargon around gold and metal leaf, gilding tools, and lots more golden nuggets.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Sep 19, 2024 • 15 min read
Profile view of a sign painter applying a turquoise colour to the body of letters that have been shadowed in red.
History

🎉 75 Today: Happy Birthday A.S. Handover! 🎉

Wishing all at A.S. Handover a happy 75th birthday, and giving thanks for their continued support.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Sep 12, 2024 • 4 min read
Small sign with yellow border, picture of a chicken cutting ham, and lettering that reads 'Gallo Nero, Delicatessen, Londra'.
Places

Signs of the Summer: Postcards from a Busman's Holiday

A brush with Napoli in London, French ghost signs, George Biles in Bridport, and more holiday snaps.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Sep 5, 2024 • 8 min read
Mounted square sign with a combination of cursive and san-serif lettering.
Books

Two's Company in the Latest Culture+Typography Despatch

Nikki Villagomez's second book of found lettering examines the use of letterforms in combination.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Aug 29, 2024 • 7 min read
Detail of poster showing Porky Pig, arms outstretched, wearing a heavy-duty mask with black smoke in the background.
Learning

Filtering the Fumes: Air Purifier Advice

Reduce the risks of exposure to VOCs in enamel paints when working in poorly ventilated spaces.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Aug 22, 2024 • 4 min read
Lisa Simpson looking at a sign that says "keep out" above another that says "or enter. I'm a sign, not a cop".
Books

¡Ay, Caramba! It's Cartoon Time

Collection of humourous cartoons with sign painting, lettering, type, and calligraphic themes.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Aug 15, 2024 • 8 min read
Portion of a painted wall sign showing a boy running with boxes under his arms and lettering that reads "Chiquilin".
Places

Retrospectiva Recalls the Brands and Businesses of the Past

A cultural initiative creates signs laced with nostalgia to adorn the walls of Quinto in Spain.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Aug 8, 2024 • 5 min read
Two pictorial signs, one showing a jug and one the head of a tiger. A third pictures a greyhound and lettering that reads "T
History

The Inn Signs Exhibition of 1936

The signs and sign painters that fired up the public's imagination in this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Aug 1, 2024 • 10 min read
Head and shoulders view of a man in a baseball cap in front of a window sign that reads "Hunger Buster".
Films

"A Piece of Urban Theatre": J.J. of LA

Meet J.J. of LA, Atlanta sign painter, in this recently republished documentary by Kelly Richardson.

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Jul 25, 2024 • 4 min read
Detail of a painted panel showing a match igniting a pink liquid with lettering over the top that reads "Fuel to the fire".
BLAG

The BLAG 05 Digital Companion

Bonus content from the adventures in sign painting in Issue 05 of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine).

  • Better Letters
Better Letters Jul 18, 2024 • 15 min read
BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & Culture © 2025
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