how to market 3-dimensional carved signs?

[Stan B]

Hello,
I would like to learn and master how to make these beautiful 3-dimensional signs, with carved images and letters, gold leaf, on real wood or sign foam, etc. The kind of the signs used in front of the subdivisions, apartments, doctor's offices and such.

How do I market these kind of signs and how do I get in contact with the right people? I'll be literally willing to give it away to build up portfolio and gain experience & reputation.

Thanks!
Stan

[Replicator]

Make one and put it out in front of your shop . . . A real attention grabber !

[Stan B]

can't

[andy]

What machinery have you got? You need high end routers, 3D software, painting setup and plenty of time to do the finishing work.

[Stan B]

I have it

[jdb]

Thats asking a lot! You could find someone in your area and see about getting some pointers and even taking a look at a project in the making, get the materials and go for it. When you run into an area of question get back on here and ask or ask that someone in your area. This is really a hands on learning type of thing. It would be easier to start with the basics, like a sandblasted sign. Surface gilding is another thing to learn that would be incorporated in after learning, hand carving as well. If you're serious then you got some learning ahead of you but the rewards are well worth it. I would start with real wood, it's a bit more learning but you'll be able to do HDU like it's nothing. HDU is very nice carving though and can be added to a wood sign. Seeing first hand is worth a million if you can find someone local. If not post again and be ready to buy some wood, glue, rubber, clamps, paint, lettering quills and find a local blaster.

[Pro Signs & Graphix]

Stan,

Master it first - then make some sample to have in the shop, even if laying up against the wall.

[creative]

hire an exp guy part time or be upfront to him and tell him that you want to learn, most will do on a job by job basis.

I guess that isn't something that you learn by reading, go to home depot or lowes to the router class then take that and make it big on a 48 x 96 router.

good luck

good luck.

[imaSIGNr]

I do hand carved....It's not as easy as having someone just tell you how to do it...I had a mentor that I worked side by side for years, then I took Jay Cooks ( Stowe Vermont ) workshop. Then I practiced...practiced....practiced. It's more of a learned skill than an art. There are many books, but you really can only accomplish this by hands on.....Just learning how to keep a sharp edge on your tools is a skill in itself. There is quite an array of tools to be obtained also. You can start with a few basics and keep adding on. The smaller or bigger you carve, there are different tools. There are different tools for different type of carving even. And there are certainly quality and cheap tools. If you ever get started. I can give you pointers. If you are interested in hand carved. You won't be putting a sign out in front of your shop any time soon though....
Woodcraft catalog is where I've gotten nearly all my tools. You really need to find someone that does it and watch and learn. Good luck. It's becoming a lost art. 95% of carved signs now are probably auto routed I'd guess.
If you want to CNC......I can't help you

[Rich]

If you haven't mastered it, then it's pretty hard to market it!

.......however have you ever considered "farming out" your designs to a wholesaler that specializes in demensional wood signs. Jobs nowadays done on those new CNC routers can produce some amazing and innovative work in a variety of clever textures. Perhaps receive them un-finished and learn the proper finishing and gold leafing techniques.

As for hand carved signs, well that for sure demands a whole lot more patience and artistic ablitity than most any other form of sign work. Sure their are many books available on the subject but nothing beats practice, practice, practice!

It takes time to build a portfilio of this type of work. Good Luck and Have Fun with whatever you decide!

[Signguyno1]

Jump right on in,the waters fine.Purchase a few books, tools some sign foam or wood, mix with a large amount of patience, fortitude and perseverance, stir gentley and you will be surprised at what you can accomplish!

[BlueRidgeFabrication]

Make one and put it out in front of your shop . . . A real attention grabber !

I agree! Once people see, in person, a really nice dimensional sign--they will want one for themselves!

[DARLAK]

I'll be literally willing to give it away to build up portfolio and gain experience & reputation.


a reputation is exaclty what you will get when you start 'giving away' signs that others have taken years to learn the craft and make great looking signs.

just because you have a router doesn't mean you'll ever be able to make a piece of art called the gold leaf-hand carved sign.

sure a router can do a great job in a fraction of the time, but until you sit down with a piece of wood or foam and start carving away, you will never understand 'how to make these pretty little things'

[jdb]

Right on. Kind of like hand lettering, or anything done by hand for that matter. I've spent my life doing these things. When it's done by hand, all the way, it stands above the rest. Not saying these new "tools" are'nt valuable in the hands of a the right person, they are real time savers, There's not enough people willing to devote the time to learn. I was hoping Stan B would have stepped up to the plate and got back on this. It really is a lot easier than many would think. Just a little time.