Jenny's Noodle

Sign painting is an invisible art and industry.

Most people don't think about everyday signs as an art form, but there is real skill involved in the handmade process of sign making.

"Sign Painters," a new documentary film and book by the same name, showcases the dedicated practitioners of sign painting, their time-honored methods, and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.

This project is the first anecdotal history of the craft, featuring the stories of more than two dozen sign painters working throughout the U.S.

The filmmakers explain:

There was a time, as recently as the 1980s, when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards, and even street signs were all hand-lettered with brush and paint.

But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of quicker and cheaper. The resulting proliferation of computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has ushered a creeping sameness into our landscape.

Fortunately, there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the trade.

Watch the trailer below and visit the film's website to learn more.