Sign Making Design Software

airborne152 said:

I have seen a lot of sign making websites that offer a proof of what your sign will look like before they start making it. The pictures are very realistic looking for the customers custom signs. Does anyone know what program they use to design those signs? I am just looking for a simple vector based program that is easy to use. Thanks.

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Hi Airborne:

I would suggest a word processor called WordPerfect. Almost anything will do that does kerning: i.e. graphic programs that do text, or photographic image manipulators etc. Print it out and glue it to the surface of your sign and hand route it. That's the formula followed by most of the signmakers that I've seen.

msgtjdolan said:

Best one I have found FREE.... INKSCAPE

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That looks like a good program. I'm not sure about the web page stuff but I like the graphics capability. Gonna try it!

Thanks

Jean-Marc said:

Thanks a lot, I dowmloaded the Inkscape, fine stuff. I amm looking after outline letters only, just to save ink . Does anybody have aa idea about it. I am on the point to do my first hand routing.

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Hi Jean-Marc:

Sorry, I went through my font catalogue looking for a method to prepare an outline There are none. You can have an open face font or a closed face font. An example is Caslon Old Face and Caslon Open Face. You will notice that each of these is an independent font with characteristics similar to it's brother but not identical.

I think your only option is to print out your font in full face. You'll also find that when you're routing the sign, it will help to see the edge rather than just a line.

Freehand signmaking takes a lot of practice so good luck and we'd love to hear the "steps" you go through to achieve your goals.

Ron