Signs & Methodology

Most of us have done this at one time or another;  "We've tried to save some money and time by going directly to a printer (or sign maker), instead of consulting with a graphic designer or marketing person directly. We think we knew what we wanted" even though if they had to put it into words, it might sound like this, "I ... really don't know why I did that" or "I can do a much better job, I've got PhotoShop!" "Oh yeah, that was a waste" or perhaps "I wanted to use every typestyle known to mankind on my 2 x 3.5" business card." The stuff of designer nightmares.  Okay, one more. "I've always liked the Park Avenue script font, but I want it in red with a blue outline and a drop shadow, set into an arch, in ALL CAPS on a brown background that's not too you know, brown, but brown enough. But not brown brown." This is a symptom as yet without a name. Perhaps we can refer to it as "The (wha...

Which is Better? Paint Mask or Stencil? This is a brief article to determine the best product for your project, using a side-by-side comparison of features and drawbacks to each method. Let's start with Stencils. What's a stencil?  Stencils were made of oil board, a resin-impregnated paper card stock, roughly from the 1920s to the 1990s. At that time, several specialty plastics and metals became more popular replacements for the paper and not as easily damaged. Currently, most street markings like the word "STOP" or turn lane arrows are made in sections from metal panels due to their size and the need for flat storage between uses. Polycarbonate plastic and styrene have all but replaced the original oil boards for stencil material. Stencil shows letter bridges to keep letterforms intact. How is it used? A stencil is essentially a panel with cut-outs in it, which mask the non-paint areas. The cut-outs are the place where paint will be brushed, rolled or...