Signs Never Sleep

The Open Colour Standard: A free and open alternative to Pantone

J.D. Iles — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:25:00 -0500

Pantone is the system that graphic designers, sign artists, (and anyone else that needs color control) use to standardize colors. It has been around since 1963, and since that time, they have held a virtual monopoly over defining exactly what "red" a designer might mean. The way it works is when a designer in New York says PMS 432 to a sign-maker in California, they can both reference a color swatch book to see exactly what color something needs to be.

It is a good system, but recently a movement has started to come up with an "Open Colour Standard".

"What we have, then, is a venerable, widely supported, but largely inflexible and very expensive de facto standard. It has a huge impact on both print and digital media, not to mention the clothes you wear, the color you paint your living room, even the specific shades used to define healthy dirt or high-grade orange juice. It is, in short, a bloated monopoly eating up more and more of the color market.
But what's to be done about it? In an effort to support open-source graphics programs and foster a wider understanding of, and engagement with, color, there's a nascent movement underway to develop what we call, with refreshing lack of originality, an Open Color Standard.

If it works, this effort could open up spot color, make open-source software more viable for pre-press, and maybe even inspire a little kitchen table chemistry. Most importantly, it would take the cross-platform treatment of color out of the hands of a private company and put it where it belongs, with users." Link

Custom, hand-painted gift signs from Shabby Shoe Signs

J.D. Iles — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:27:00 -0500

Shabby Shoe Signs is a company that specializes in one thing. Creating charming , hand-painted signs for home, garden, or anywhere else! These signs are made from recycled wood, and are painted and distressed to look like family heirlooms

This is just the type of company we love to highlight here at Signs Never Sleep, because Karen has decided to specialize in one type of sign, and is doing it extremely well.

Karen does both stock and custom orders. Her stock signs start at $15.99, as do her custom orders. Link

Craftsman CompuCarve Computer-Controlled Compact Woodworking Machine

J.D. Iles — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:19:00 -0500

Sign-making is a skill, and it is a skill that does not come easy. Talk to any sign-maker, and not only will you hear about all of the horror-stories of how "Murphy's Law" tends to work in overdrive in the Sign Industry, but you will also get a sense that it takes years to build up the knowledge necessary to become a proficient sign-maker. We do have a section on Signs Never Sleep for "Do It Yourself Sign-Making", but there certainly are times when I think that category is on equal footing with a "Do It Yourself Gall-Bladder Surgery" on WebMD".

That is the reasons sign-makers feel so threatened by something like the Craftsman Compucarve 3D Woodcarver. This is really the first in what will probably become a long line of devices that will allow people to make their own signs at home.

"Compact, computer-controlled, 3-dimensional woodworking machine with an easy-to-use interface. It allows a novice to make a complete project without a shop full of tools.The unique configuration allows it to perform many other woodworking functions, including ripping, cross cutting, mitering, contouring, jointing and routing. The CompuCarve can work in most soft materials, including wood, plastics (polycarbonate or cast acrylic) and certain types of high density foam." Link

The basic idea here is you pop a piece of wood in, program the machine, and out pops a sign. (Trust me - If it were that easy, I would buy one!) Don't get me wrong. I am all for people trying to make signs as a hobby. (Isn't that what the Revolutionary War was fought over, the right for the colonials to stop buying signs from the British?) But people should always be aware of what they get into as a hobby, because many times you can get into much more than you bargained for.

Anyway, I do not own one of these machines and can't give it a review. There is a section on the Sears website that does give customer reviews of the machine that goes from positive to very scary, so you be the judge.

I would also like to comment that this machine is also called CarveWright and they have a very exhaustive website. The machine has been out for a few years and it will be interesting for us to keep our eyes on it...

Signs Never Sleep is about "Connecting"

J.D. Iles — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:19:00 -0500

Signs Never Sleep isn't just a website about "signs"

It connects people who want to buy signs with people who make signs

It connects people who want to learn about signs with people that know about signs

It connects people who want carved signs with people who make carved signs

It connects people looking for a gift sign with people that can ship you a gift sign

It connects people who have questions about signs with the answers

It connects people who need a sign to spread their message with a place to get the solution

CopperSignShop.com: Dimensional Metal Signs in Copper

J.D. Iles — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:22:00 -0500

The Copper Sign Shop is run by Whitney Potter Design out of Sonoma County California. They produce fantastic address marker and custom signs out of expressive copper with wild patinas. What they have to offer is extremely unique; from the metalwork, to the hand-hammering, to the terrific coloration of the metal. Really top notch work, that is a terrific example of a craftsman really focusing on a niche product and really perfecting it.

"Our signs are made of real copper. Copper is a beautiful metal. If left to its own devices it will usually turn a nice brown, but in ocean front settings and places where there is air pollution it sometimes turns greenish or even bluish. These are all natural patinas which develop over many years. We can accelerate the process in the shop by applying concentrated chemicals to the copper. What takes decades to achieve in nature can be done in a few days and you don't need to wait years for your sign to turn green (which it might never do on its own).

We don't usually paint our signs (although we are happy to if that's what you really want) because we think copper is a beautiful, honest, natural material which just gets better with age." Link

If you are shopping for a sign, think about who your "Sign Heroes" are!

J.D. Iles — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:20:58 -0500

There are signs in town, that you drive by every day, that you really love. You love how they look, the letter style, the color, and how they seem to draw you in and make you curious about that business.

These signs are your "Sign Heroes". These are the signs that you want your sign to be like. You want a sign just as compelling, colorful, and attractive.

When you are in the process of talking to a sign company about getting a sign for your business, make sure to tell them who your Sign Heroes are and even provide them with pictures if you can. This way, you can end up with a sign just like the signs you look up to....