Traditional Water Gilding

While you might have experience in oil gilding exterior signage or water gilding on glass, you may never have attempted traditional water gilding, or what is also called bole gilding. This technique is used for interior applications, primarily gilding wood picture frames. The process involves coating the wood with several layers of gesso and clay […] Read more »

Color Trends

Popularity of colors among designers and consumers can vary from year to year. To keep pace with color trends, vinyl film manufacturers and paint companies try to gauge changes in the marketplace. Colors from the world of fashion and interior décor have impacted color selection in the automotive market and in corporate graphics. Bold and […] Read more »

Why Application Tape Tears Unexpectedly

From time to time application tape will tear when you least expect it.   When this happens the graphics can be trashed.  Frustrated sign makers want to know the cause of these mishaps.  There’s no one single answer why this happens. Application tape can tear when it is unwound for a variety of reasons. Here are […] Read more »

Table Saw Safety

One of the most used and most versatile power tools is the table saw. It is also one of the most dangerous. Each year more than 40,000 table saw accidents occur.  Many of these accidents result in the loss of a limb. To prevent becoming a statistic, follow these rules: Read more »

Using Chip Carving Knives in Letter Carving

You can use chip carving knives for more than just carving geometric designs in boxes, plates or furniture. These specialized knives are also great tools when used to carve incised letters. I have also used these knives for carving details in brittle wood prone to tear out. Read more »

Power Carving with Flexible Shaft Tools

Flexible shaft carving systems are not a necessity for woodcarving, but they sure are nice to have for several reasons. Carving with gouges or knives is generally a slow, thoughtful process. To save time I often will use my high speed flexible shaft tool to rough out a carving. With a coarse carbide burr you […] Read more »

Making the Most of Application Fluids

Using application fluids isn’t rocket science, but it’s not child’s play, either. Discover what you need to know to make the most of application fluids. Read more »

When Ink Is Not the Problem with Digital Printing, Part II

Beyond dust and dirt, several factors impact the ink’s ability to stick to the substrate. The carrier ­ aqueous-based or solvent-based ­ is another key factor in the final outcome. Then there’s calibration. Read more »

Building Work Tables

Building a work table is easy enough for anyone to construct. What’s more, it takes very little time to build. And if you build it right, it could last you the rest of your life. Best yet, the cost is minimal, especially when you consider that you will use your work tables more than any […] Read more »

Tips on Carving Western Red Cedar

In the sign industry, Western Red Cedar sign blanks are a popular choice because this affordably-priced wood is dimensionally stable and resists insects and decay. As a substrate for exterior signage, cedar can provide up to thirty years outdoor durability. Its workability also makes Western Red Cedar an excellent choice for sign makers. Because it […] Read more »