The origin of sign writing. . .

The English signwriting tradition has a venerable history, but in the computer age it has almost died out – there are very few working signwriters left in the 21st century.

Designs are often created by hand on the drawing board. The final execution is made by hand using brushes known as quills and similar signwriting ‘pencils’ and chiseled brushes. Specialist enamels are also employed to fashion a long-lasting finish along with the traditional use of gold leaf.

Historically, signwriters drew or painted signs by hand using a variety of paint depending on the background i.e. enamel paint for vehicles and general signs, and water-based paints for short-term window signs.

Myself I like to work with chalk, charcoal, quills.