Sign Painters

There was a time as recently as the 1980s when storefronts, murals,
banners, barn signs, billboards and even street signs were all
hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades,
the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of
quicker and cheaper. The resulting proliferation of
computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has
ushered a creeping sameness into our visual landscape. Fortunately,
there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and
a renaissance in the trade. This book documents a collection these
dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods and their
appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. It provides a history
of the craft, features stories and photographs of more than two
dozen sign painters working in cities throughout the United States.