Signwriting: How much does it cost?

[Tarren]

I was just wondering if anyone would care to share roughly how much it would cost to get my boat's name etc painted on nicely.

 

My boat doesn't need repainting - it's only a year old - and I'm going to tackle the odd bumps and scrapes myself this spring. (Please pass slowly if you see me hanging over the edge with a paintbrush in one hand, paint tin in the other, and no hands left to stop me falling into the canal )

 

I haven't invesigated the "stick on vinyl names" as I have heard it said that proper signwriting isn't that much more costly. I don't really want to ring around asking for quotes as I'm on a really tight budget and probably can't afford this just yet - I just could do with a ball-park figure so that I know how much I've got to save up!

 

As for style; probably something a little bit smart and modern-ish. The boat interior is quite modern, and I don't have any roses, castles, or other decorative flourishes to worry about.

 

I am, however, very unhappy with the boat name printed on an A4 sheet and stuck in my side windows!

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tarren.

[charles123]

I used 5yr guarenteed life vynil, I think it cost £80 for the lot both sides, hard to beat at that price. I would say that it took quite a bit of thinking about, font and the 3 colours involved. The letters are 14 inches. Think you will agree it looks good

 

check my site for details

 

http://tuglyranarrowboatcharles.blogspot.com/

 

just to add, the BWB number once to each side and 2 on the front cost about £20 in total as I recall, once again much thought on font size of letters and spacing

 

Charles

[wrigglefingers]

Hello Tarren,

 

I'm planning to do my own with some help from our artist-in-residence at school, Mazy. With some judicious use of some mylar sheet I can draw the letters and the shading. I'll then use this as a stencil or as a master for transfer. You can use the ink sheets from a large duplicating pad or use dressmaker's transfer sheets and a ball point pen. Needs to be a still day to get it all taped on I reckon. The faint image should be visible when you peel off the sheets. Then, using suitable paint (I've been told that Phil Speight sells the best stuff) you can then paint carefully to the lines. It won't be brilliant but will do at a distance (compared to the rest of my paintwork?). Mazy's going to do the scrollwork and other decorations in return for a bed quilt, dinner and a paddle down the cut in September.

 

This method worked well for the noticeboards we re-painted for the school recently which were also vertical. You do need to be patient and methodical and prepared for slips. There's a reason why signwriters are worth every penny they're paid; I just fancy having a go. If you feel anxious about hand-drawing your letters you could use a vector based program to draw out your letters. CorelDraw or Illustrator will both allow you to print to actual size, tile the print and then tape the mastersheet together to produce a stencil. In fact, most 2D programs will allow this. Do use a laser printer in case of rain as the print won't run .......

 

More sensibly though, I'll ask my next-boat neighbours how much theirs' cost at Wadworth Brewery in Devizes as they've just had it re-done by the signwriter there.

 

Best wishes,

 

Jill

[DHutch]

I beleave last time our signwriting was redone it cost around the £500 mark for the four names (bow, and stern, front and back)

- Vinal has its place, and it looks nice inplaces, but we prefer the more tradiaional look, with the shaded shadowing and personal touch you can get with "the real thing" And it last a good long time too.

 

Last year my mum went over the name on the bow herself, tracing over the existing signwork to give it further least of life. Which has come out ok. (see photo)

 

 

 

 

Daniel

[Jus73]

Tarren

 

Not too sure where your based but we found a great sign writer in Burton upon Trent. The chap owns a sign company and is very often commissioned to hand paint pub signs, although he does all the modern stuff as well. He doesn't actually promote boat signage but he did a fantastic job on our boat.

 

I think it cost us in the region of £300 but this included 4 name signs and two very large panels advertising our hire boat company (both of which were painted on cream panels which he also painted). You might be able to make them out on our website here

 

If you would like his details pm me

 

Justin.

[Supermalc]

My name also is just passable, which I had to do for almost nothing.

 

I wanted, in fact still do, want to cast one in ally, however I've to rely on others, and the one attempt 2 years ago didn't work well. Learned our mistakes though.

 

I used a photo editor (Adobe photodelux actually) and wrote the name in a nice font. Resized and printed the letter on paper. I stuck the paper on some thin plywood, and then cut the letters out with a jigsaw. In the end I made a few templates.

 

I put the template on the boat cabin side, and sprayed the letters. This was just a 'temporary' job, but the best I've done, so plenty 'Wud-E-Nuff' (good enough LOL)

 

I cast one in plaster of paris, then painted the letters. This was just a trial to see how the letters looked, however I screwed it on, and it lasted a year.

 

When we tried casting, the letters were branded in the wood I had backed the template with. This gave me the idea to try burning them into a nameplate. I fastened the template onto a piece of wood, cut for a nameplate, then burnt the letters through the template with a blowlamp. Painted the letters, then sanded the top of the wood, which took off any excess. I then varnished the whole thing. Needs redoing now, but looked good for over a year.

 

Here's the name on the side

 

 

And here the front nameplate. As you can see it needs repainting.

 

 

Oh - I also did the life-ring.

[Tarren]

Thankyou, everyone, for your sound advice.

 

I've just been looking at a website that does vinyl lettering (sacboatnames.com), and I've just found out how very complicated it could be. Maybe, because I'm not all that artistic, I find it very difficult to visualise just how the various fonts, colours, shading, shadows etc would actually look when completed. I'm not sure that I'm capable of visualising quite what I want, although I'm usually very quick to point out when something looks good to me, or not.

 

I guess that's another reason why signwriters earn their money. Just knowing the right fonts and colours for the job, knowing if a particular type of lettering looks good when used in an arch, being able to bring mere lettering into a balanced and appealing piece of art... and yes, I think that I have to class signwriting as very much a skilled art.

 

If my boat had existing lettering, I think that I might have tackled the job myself. I could have overpainted, and even made changes and improvements as I saw fit. It's much easier for me to do something if given a head start, but I was never very artistic when just faced with a blank canvas!

 

I think, for that reason, I'll have to bite the bullet, and engage a professional. It might mean restricting meals to the extravigances of "beans on toast" for a couple of months (maybe without the beans, maybe without the bread too! ), but I know I'll feel so much better with the signwriting done - and I might even loose a bit of weight into the bargain!

 

Somehow the boat seems a littled naked and anonymous at the moment, just not finished in some way - so I know that I've got to do something about it.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tarren.

[nbtafelberg]

Have a look at www.rosesandcastles.org.uk

 

I'm very cheap. Vinals are fine but they suffer from peeling especially if the boat is left in the sun.

[charles123]

Thankyou, everyone, for your sound advice.

 

I've just been looking at a website that does vinyl lettering (sacboatnames.com), and I've just found out how very complicated it could be. Maybe, because I'm not all that artistic, I find it very difficult to visualise just how the various fonts, colours, shading, shadows etc would actually look when completed. I'm not sure that I'm capable of visualising quite what I want, although I'm usually very quick to point out when something looks good to me, or not.

 

I guess that's another reason why signwriters earn their money. Just knowing the right fonts and colours for the job, knowing if a particular type of lettering looks good when used in an arch, being able to bring mere lettering into a balanced and appealing piece of art... and yes, I think that I have to class signwriting as very much a skilled art.

 

If my boat had existing lettering, I think that I might have tackled the job myself. I could have overpainted, and even made changes and improvements as I saw fit. It's much easier for me to do something if given a head start, but I was never very artistic when just faced with a blank canvas!

 

I think, for that reason, I'll have to bite the bullet, and engage a professional. It might mean restricting meals to the extravigances of "beans on toast" for a couple of months (maybe without the beans, maybe without the bread too! ), but I know I'll feel so much better with the signwriting done - and I might even loose a bit of weight into the bargain!

 

Somehow the boat seems a littled naked and anonymous at the moment, just not finished in some way - so I know that I've got to do something about it.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tarren.

 

Tarren,

 

Vynals are not as difficullt to apply as you might think, I did mine with help from my boatbuilder and it took about an hour, the BWB numbers took 15 mins and it was raining, water makes no difference when applying them. As for design the choice is on the sites you have no worries in that respect its only fussy perfectionists like myself that have to have them bespoke designed. They dont peel off as Paul said if applied correctly I dont know where that came from, most truck, trailers and vans over the world use vynal lettering as do shops etc without problem.

 

This is where I got them

 

http://www.cutsigns.co.uk/

 

A signwriter will cost about £400 but depending on the amount of work

 

As always you pay your money and take your choice

 

Charles

[Guest]

I highly recommend these:

 

http://www.stickonsigns.co.uk/

[Bullfrog]

Our boat builder - Ken Yates - in Northampton had some local 3rd party, apply vinyl lettering to the front bends of our boat. Max'm 16 letters a side, any font available on a standard PC, colours to match the boat's main colour scheme. Cost was £125 and I'm sure that Ken would have been marking up what ever local service he was using. Lettering has survived its 1st full year of wear and tear, use and abuse, with no sign of damage, fading or peeling.

 

Well pleased

 

David B

[bottle]

I would much prefer to have it painted by a sign writer but that is me.

 

As to 'sticky-back plastic' well it works on all emergency vehicles, the 'battenburg' markings are all vinyl as are the lettering.

 

On our ambulances it lasts well, vehicle on the road 24hrs a day washed at least once a day and the life of an ambulance is about 7 years.

 

Yes it can 'lift' but usually only after some mechanical damage.

[stuart]

There may be an offer on ebay for you...

 

Plenty of vinyl sign's for sale - custom made...

 

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll...prclo=&saprchi=

[Moley]

Now you lot have really got me thinking (Jon, we need more smileys, I want a :smiley_scratch-head: )

 

I can typeset a name board at work (although I've only got three thousand typestyles to choose from ) and scale to whatever I need.

 

Flooring laminate makes great router templates - it cuts and sands nicely, and the back is beautifully smooth.

 

So if I enlarge my lettering, trace it onto laminate, add an eighth of an inch all round (or adjust stroke weight through Fontographer), cut it out with a jigsaw, sand it with a small diameter rubber spindle thingy in my drill press, then use a router with a half inch collar, I've got a nice plank of Mahogany going spare .....

 

Now, how can I resaw a 7" x 1" x 4' plank into 2 @ 3/8" panels?

[Amicus]

Me, I’d go for proper signwriting every time, use it or lose it sort of thing, but then it aint me paying.

As for the sticky on stuff, even in this small town there is a firm doing it, van lettering etc. so one could always trot along and chew the fat. They will be able to show the output on a gert monitor at least, and bound to have samples.

Or.......ummmmmm.... http://www.trendmachinery.co.uk/templates/num_let.shtml

sorry, I'll get me coat

Edited April 20, 2006 by Amicus

[Moley]

Or.......ummmmmm.... http://www.trendmachinery.co.uk/templates/num_let.shtml

sorry, I'll get me coat

I meant bigger and fancier than that

[John Orentas]

There seems to be a big variation of prices on this. I paid £200 for 2 panels per side plus reg. number, simple but very professional. I too have never been keen on stick-on jobs, I have seen so many that have bubbled and shrunk but then I suppose you only notice the bad ones.

Edited April 20, 2006 by John Orentas

[Tarren]

Vinals are fine but they suffer from peeling especially if the boat is left in the sun.

 

This is what I'm a little worried about.

My boat, like so many others, in mainly painted in a dark green. This can make the paintwork very hot when left in the sun for only a short time. (Aside... why are our boats all painted in dark base colours - I'm thinking that a white roof my help this situation ?!?)

 

Last summer the roof and sides got so hot that it was sometimes neccessary to wear long trousers when walking the gunnel to avoid getting your knees burned and optionally gloves as well when holding the handrail. The alternative to gloves was to do the funny "dance", which goes; "oooh, that's hot... owww, that's hot..." while blowing on your hands inbetween taking steps down the side, and jigging up and down a bit!

 

At these temperatures, I would think that vinyl stands little chance of lasting very long - but then, maybe cars get that hot too, and still survive with their lettering intact.

It's one of those situations where the "cheap" option may not be all that cheap if it has to be replaced every couple of years.

 

Sometimes, when you drive along in the car, you can sometimes see various shop signs etc where an odd letter or two has completely dropped off. I would hate the boat to end up like that! OK those signs can sometimes spell new and amusing (or even rude) words, but luckily, I don't think you can make anything too rude out of "Aventurine"!

 

I'm very cheap.

 

Well, errr, ummm... what do I say to that ?!

 

Sorry! Just couldn't resist !

And I'll definitely be checking out your website very carefully. Thank you for that.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tarren

[Moley]

luckily, I don't think you can make anything too rude out of "Aventurine"!

Now how can I put this without taking the p**s ....

[Tarren]

Now you lot have really got me thinking (Jon, we need more smileys, I want a :smiley_scratch-head: )

 

So if I enlarge my lettering, trace it onto laminate, add an eighth of an inch all round (or adjust stroke weight through Fontographer), cut it out with a jigsaw, sand it with a small diameter rubber spindle thingy in my drill press, then use a router with a half inch collar, I've got a nice plank of Mahogany going spare .....

 

Moley, that's just typical!

 

There was me, thinking that I had two choices (paint or vinyl), and then you come along and suggest a third and completely different method (which happens to sound quite interesting) to add to my confusion!

 

Ok - I don't think it's all your fault. I think Supermalc started it, but still...

 

Decisions, decisions...

 

OK Moley, I'll have pop down when you've done it and take a look - I'm not far from you, anyway!

Is that cheeky, or what ?!?

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tarren.

 

Now how can I put this without taking the p**s ....

 

MOLEY !!!

 

Luckily - I don't think *that many* letters would fall off... although, given the boats fixation for needing to be navigated between pump-out points (and a lot of log entries for cruises specifically for that purpose), it might indeed be an apt name!!

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tarren.

[dor]

This is what I'm a little worried about.

 

Regarding Vinyl lettering - I think if it is good quality and put on properly it will last for years.

 

My boat is dark blue, so will get as hot as most when the sun is on it. It was repainted by the previous owner about 8 years ago, after which the names and some artwork were added in vinyl. I bought the boat five years ago, and it wasn't until I went to change the name that i realised the lettering was in fact vinyl not painted, so it must have looked pretty good.

 

Now, after 8 years, the original lettering is still very good unless you look very closely, as is the lettering I added five years ago.

 

So I don't think peeling should be a concern if it is put on properly.

 

Incidently, when you get your lettering or artwork, it comes ready spaced on a backing sheet. So you peel off the cover on the sticky side, and the lettering is still held on a translucent backing so you place the whole word in one go. Lightly rub over it then you can peel off the backing and rub the lettering down well, so it is easy to get the spacing and alignment right.

[wrigglefingers]

Now how can I put this without taking the p**s ....

 

It'd be quite an avent tho'

[Moley]

I don't think *that many* letters would fall off

I have a feeling that, should you decide on vinyl lettering, it wouldn't be too long before kids picked 'em off.

 

Can't really tell from your avatar, is it a big boat, or just a wee one?

 

Coat please

Edited April 20, 2006 by Moley

[Tarren]

Now I'm just going to hide in the corner and sulk!

I thought that "Aventurine" was such a pretty name, always referred to lovingly as "Avvie"...

 

Actually, the name was quite by accident. My mother collects stones and crystals and the like, and I always liked the green sphere she had (which is now on the boat!!). When she told me what it was, and after I looked it up on the web, the name kinda stuck. Whether or not any of the "mystical" properties of aventurine can be believed in, I could certainly use some of its properties!!

 

AVENTURINE : ( pron: A-VENT-YOU-REEN : Quotes from many web sources and books)

 

Aventurine is a form of quartz, characterised by its translucency and the presence of platy mineral inclusions that give a shimmering or glistening effect termed aventurescence. The most common colour of aventurine is green, but it may also be orange, brown, yellow, blue or gray.

 

The name aventurine derives from the Italian "a ventura," meaning "by chance." This is an allusion to the chance discovery of aventurine glass or goldstone at some point in the 18th century.

 

Among Crystal healers: Aventurine is frequently known as a stone of great spirituality. It has been said to be a healing gem with a wondrous capacity for mental and physical healing properties. 

 

Mystical Properties: Green Aventurine is often referred to as the Gambler's Stone. Wearing Green Aventurine Jewelry is thought to help those who enjoy games of chance and attract money and luck to the wearer.

 

Getting back ON topic - hopefully...

 

I'd like to see the kids pull the letters off the side - it's moored on the non-towpath side, at the bottom of the garden, overlooked by three houses which are a mile from the nearest road. They'd have to be *really* determined to get at it !!

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tarren.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Tarren

[nichimyo]

We've just scraped the vinyl letters off our boat. Took the both of us about 2 hours each to remove 24 letters and a couple of bits of decorative scrolly stuff. It wasn't easy! Some of it we had to chisel off. Then we had to get white spirit to the glue that was left.