Should your sign be made from real materials or affordable imitations?
A hundred years ago, members of the Arts and Crafts Movement adopted a philosophy called ‘Truth to Materials’. This meant they used the most appropriate material for any application. In addition, they emphasized the quality of the materials rather than hiding it. For example, the Movement thought it a shame to cover a beautiful oak floor with synthetic oak tiles. Needless to say, they would not appreciate today’s plastic siding that’s used to imitate wooden boards on a newly built house. For them, the deception was and is apparent.
In the sign industry, imitations are now its stock-in-trade.
There is a long history of making one material appear to be another. For example, consider rolling a coat of primer onto a wooden panel. By doing this, you have already begun to hide the innate qualities of the wood. What’s more, gilded elements give the false impression of being solid gold. Painted drop-shadows and highlights give the illusion of dimension. Furthermore, crackle-varnish and stain make a new sign look like a weathered artifact. Interestingly, these imitation techniques are now the stock-in-trade of the sign industry.
The Movement probably would take a dim view of today’s techniques
No matter how well executed, these faux techniques would not appeal to the Movement. However, as the fine artist adds paint to a canvas until the canvas itself looks like a landscape or portrait, so the sign-maker applies his skills and tools to make a substrate look like something it isn’t. Real materials or affordable imitations? Ultimately, customers like the affordable substitutes created by a talented sign-maker.
How we made the Cowboy Collectibles sign
Paxton Signs’ faux-weathered wood sign for Cowboy Collectibles in Estes Park, Colorado is an example of faux wood. The painted sign measures 4’x 6′. The panel is 1/2″ thick, medium density, overlay signboard. We custom-cut it to shape. Then, we prepped the sign board by sealing the edges. Next, we primed it with two coats of premium grade primer. Finish coats are oil based enamel. We hand-painted all lettering, graphic effects, faux finishes and illustrations with oil based sign lettering paint.
Paxton Signs’ more than 38 year history includes hundreds of signs. Some are major monument signs, some small business signs. We’ve created ranch signs, lighted signs, and signs made from recycled wood. We specialize in hand-painted signs, carved signs, vehicle and fleet graphics. We provide a continuous variety of communication art, serving Fort Collins, northern Colorado, and surrounding mountain communities.
In the sign industry, imitations are now its stock-in-trade.