Tips and tricks for sign writing

Sep 11, 2026 | Industry Advice

1 paper pot for paint Tips and tricks for sign writing

Fashioning a paper pot for sign writing paint

In this month’s a touch of the traditional column from Perry Eales, owner of Perry Signs London, he talks about the tricks that he’s learned throughout his time as a sign writer and what those in the business or starting up should know.

Trick 1

Many years ago, an elderly sign writer showed me how to fold a paint cup or box that holds your paint while lettering. It’s very convenient because you can mix and thin your paint in the cup, then hold the cup by one of the tabs between your thumb and forefinger while holding the mahlstick with the same hand. The other tab can be used as a palette.

Leftover vinyl paper is great for this because it is thick and coated. If you mix up more than you need for the job, you can let it skin over and stack the boxes inside each other. You can peel the skin back and use the paint again for the next week or two.

I start with a piece of paper that is about 4.5x10in. I fold it roughly in thirds in both directions. Squeeze the ends firmly so that the box will hold its shape. Good luck.

Trick 2

We use a short, large-diameter lag bolt to seal cans of lettering paint. There’s no waste, no scum, and it’s easy to dispense. After each use, we shake the can upside down to seal around the bolt.

Another twist on this is to drive a large nail into the lid of the can, slide the nail out, dispense the paint, then slide it back in.
You can also then thread a screw eye into the hole. No matter what you use to plug the hole, dispensing lettering enamel through a hole in the lid is easy and minimizes waste.

Trick 3

It’s amazing how much time a simple tool can save you over the years. Twenty years ago, while I was recovering from a broken foot after falling from a ladder, a friend came up with this adjustable seat so that I could work in comfort. He welded a car jack to an angle iron frame, then I cut out a plywood seat and attached a piece of carpet.

The angle base held my sign box so I could roll the chair with my sign box to the job site, then letter a window, van door or sign. It was especially handy for sign writing, but it is helpful for vinyl application, too. I’ve been using it ever since, and it’s very handy.

I also have a wooden box that I take to job sites. It is 6x12x8in. and made from overlaid plywood. It provides different seating or standing heights that suit most lower jobs. It holds my cleaning bucket, too.

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