Can anyone tell me if there is any signwriting courses?

[Jill Marie Welsh]

You always could attend the Letterhead meet in Wales this August, at David Kynaston’s.
Probably costs about the same as a course, but you’d get lots more in return.
Love….Jill

[Neil Davey]

Jill’s right, try Dave Kynastons in August.

I just got back from swinging my brushes this afternoon and enjoyed it immensely as I do more vinyl than paint these days.

I think you would find a course at some London colleges and Walsall College if I’m not mistaken.

The best way to learn is to coat out a piece of ply about 3′ x 2′, buy a no6 & no4 sable chisel, tin of black 1 shot from Wrights of Lymm or Handovers and practice, practice, practice, then wipe it all off and do it again.

Also subscribe to Signcraft magazine for inspiration.

Good luck with the brush,

Neil

[David Crocker]

Cheers Neil and Jill,

Im afraid to say that I meant signwriting in general e.g. back illuminated and metal-box signs, vehicle vinyl, correct methods of applying media etc etc.

My days with a brush are long gone 🙂 but thanks again, and thanks for the ‘love’ jill 😀

—

I should explain that Im a canvas printer and do signs on a very small scale, but recently we’ve had lots of sign requests come through the door. And not being one to turn work away – im taking them on (they’re small, i wouldnt take on something that was way out of league). I realise there’s a heck of a lot of stuff I need to learn to take on the above jobs, if anyone can help in any way its appreciated. Im sure there must be some kind of course but i cant find one anywhere, im not in a position to become an apprentice either…im shtook! 😮 😳

thanks all…

Dave.

[Martin Pearson]

Try contacting your local colleges as there were a couple up here that used to do a sign writing course, I think it used to cover traditional signwriting as well but this part of the course became smaller and smaller as more and more companies stopped offering it as a service.

[Robert Lambie]

dave, as has been said the up and coming letterheads meet is a brill event to attend for this sort of thing… like last years letterheads meet in Scotland, i will be attending too… i had a great time!
i think one on one classes for this sort of work would be great. someone like dave smith as a personal tutor would be the best start you could ever have. daves an incredibly talented guy that specialises in decorative glass, glue chipping and the like, he is a very nice and funny all in one type guy…
he offers tuition. if interested i can pass you on his details.

[John Singh]

So whereabouts in Wales is this letterheads bash?

[Robert Lambie]

here you go john… i met david at scotlands letterhead meet…
VERY talented guy indeed…. hope to met you ther too mate! 😉

http://www.davidkynaston.co.uk/html/sig … ntion.html

[Lynn Normington]

John, I do know but can’t remember, we were thinking of going as well, I think Jilly mentioned it last week, if no one says soon I’ll find out and tell you.

Lynn

[Jill Marie Welsh]

There’s a link on David’s site:
http://www.davidkynaston.co.uk/
I’m kinda bummed that this guy wasn’t looking to learn hand-lettering, that he already knows it but wants to move on to vinyl.
Love….Jill

[John Singh]

Just on the border of Wales and England

I know what you mean Jill
I thought that it was he meant by signwriting course 🙄

I guess it should be sign making course

[Neil Davey]

quote :

I thought that it was he meant by signwriting course 🙄

I guess it should be sign making course

My thoughts exactly 😕

[David Crocker]

quote Jillbeans:

There’s a link on David’s site:
http://www.davidkynaston.co.uk/
I’m kinda bummed that this guy wasn’t looking to learn hand-lettering, that he already knows it but wants to move on to vinyl.
Love….Jill

Sorry for the confusion! I thought signwriting/making was the same thing. All I want is information on how to go about trying to get into making all kinds of signs. No need to be bummed Jill 😀 it was an honest mistake. Round my area there’s no call for signwriting, just a case of ‘get the signs up asap’.

—-

Thanks for the links Robert, very good of you.

—-

Ill check my local colleges then, I just didnt think that this career would be covered on a local level. With the industry being so big, im amazed that there isnt a nation qualification in it. Perhaps some of you pro’s should start one up! 😀

cheers for the replys one and all

Dave.

[Tony Walton]

Hi there, I did my 2 year city and guilds in Signmaking at Preston college in Lancs year 2000. Fantastic course with great tutors, highly recommended.

[brian the brush]

My eldest son went to Leeds Builing College last year and did a course in signmaking, give them a call and get on the next course ! might be the best thing you ever did ?

Brian. 😀

[David Crocker]

thanks lads, just the pointer i needed 😀

Dave

[Mulberry]

Hi Dave,

Your best bet is to contact the BSGA (British Sign & Graphics Association) as they have an eduction link showing all the colleges that deliver apprenticeships in signmaking all over the UK.
You will do an NVQ level 2 in signmaking as part of the apprenticeship.

Hope this helps

Mike

[Dave Harrison]

I’d be interested to see the syllabus for the NVQ sign making courses.
Do they cover the more traditional aspects such as brush painting, goldleaf etc etc. . or just modern techniques such as vinyl, digital printing etc ?

[alan flynn]

your best bet is get yourself down to a good book shop and place an order for sign writing a craft-mans manual by bill Stewart, he was head of department when i was at hammer smith and west London college and covers almost ever thing
the best money you will spend in learning about signage
regards
alan flynn