Starting Your Signwriting Career with Wrights of Lymm – Everything You Need to Know

Why Signwriting Is Making a Comeback

Signwriting is a traditional craft that is experiencing a major revival. From vintage-inspired shop fronts to bespoke gilded signage for luxury brands, hand-painted and gilded lettering is in demand like never before. At Wrights of Lymm, we’ve been at the heart of this movement for over 125 years, supplying signwriters with premium materials, including gold leaf, brushes, and gilding tools.

Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to specialise in restoration and monumental projects, this guide will help you navigate the essential skills, tools, and opportunities in professional signwriting.

The Art of Signwriting: A Blend of Tradition and Modern Style

Signwriting is more than painting letters on a surface. It’s about craftsmanship, style, and communicating identity. Historically, signwriters created ornate shop signs, public house fascias, and even gilded monumental lettering for churches and civic buildings.

Today, modern signwriters balance that tradition with new design trends, keeping alive techniques such as goldleaf gilding that elevate signage into works of art.

Why Choose Wrights of Lymm for Your Signwriting Journey?

As the UK’s oldest supplier of gold leaf and gilding products, Wrights of Lymm is uniquely positioned to help new signwriters thrive. Here’s why:

• Expert heritage: Supplying signwriters, restorers, and monumental craftsmen since 1840.

• Specialist products: From genuine 23.5ct and 24ct goldleaf to brushes and gilding kits.

• Restoration focus: Trusted by professionals working on heritage and monumental restoration projects.

• Community & support: Access to expert advice and resources for beginners and seasoned gilders alike.

Essential Tools for Starting Your Signwriting Career

Getting started in signwriting doesn’t mean you need every tool on the market. But a solid foundation is crucial. At Wrights of Lymm, we recommend:

• Signwriting brushes: High-quality lettering quills and sable brushes.

• Gilding supplies: Loose or transfer gold leaf, gilding size (oil/water), burnishers, and gilders’ tips.

• Backing paints & enamels: Long-lasting paints designed specifically for signs.

• Starter kits: Complete packages including brushes, adhesives, and genuine goldleaf for beginners.

By starting with these essentials, you can practice both painted and gilded lettering, building confidence in your craft.

The Role of Gold Leaf in Signwriting

Nothing communicates luxury and permanence like gold leaf. From high-street boutiques to heritage pubs, gilded signage stands out in a crowded visual environment.

• 23.5ct goldleaf is ideal for exterior work due to its resilience and weather resistance.

• 24ct goldleaf offers unmatched brilliance and purity for indoor or prestigious monumental projects.

At Wrights of Lymm, we supply both loose and transfer goldleaf to suit different signwriting techniques. Beginners often start with transfer leaf, while experienced gilders enjoy the flexibility of loose leaf.

Learning Gilding Techniques

If you want to master signwriting, gilding is a skill worth investing in. Traditional surface gilding with gold leaf involves:

1. Preparing the surface.

2. Applying adhesive size (oil or water).

3. Waiting until tacky.

4. Laying down goldleaf with precision.

5. Burnishing and finishing for brilliance.

This process is used not just for shop signs, but also for restoration and monumental lettering on glass, stone, and wood.

Restoration and Monumental Signwriting Opportunities

As older signs and architectural lettering age, demand for restoration specialists grows. Many of these projects involve monumental work such as gilded church plaques, war memorials, and historic shopfronts.

By learning both traditional painting and gilding, new signwriters position themselves to work on prestigious restoration contracts, a career path that combines craftsmanship with cultural preservation.

Training and Practice: How to Get Started

Becoming a signwriter requires practice and patience. Here are some tips:

• Start small: Practice lettering on wood panels or glass.

• Experiment with goldleaf: Use imitation leaf for practice, then graduate to 23.5ct or 24ct for real projects.

• Join communities: Follow professional signwriters and restoration specialists online.

• Learn restoration techniques: Understanding conservation principles will expand your career opportunities.

Wrights of Lymm also offers starter kits tailored to beginners, making it easy to practice lettering and gilding without over-investing.

Building a Career as a Signwriter

Once you’ve mastered the basics, opportunities include:

• Commercial signage: Restaurants, shops, and luxury retailers.

• Glass gilding: Creating striking gilded glass signs for bars or boutiques.

• Restoration projects: Heritage and monumental work.

• Freelance commissions: Custom artwork, murals, and branding for small businesses.

The key to success is combining traditional craftsmanship with modern marketing—showcasing your work online and building a strong local reputation.

Why Now Is the Best Time to Start

Handcrafted signs have a timeless appeal in an era dominated by digital printing. More businesses are investing in bespoke signage to stand out, while councils and heritage groups invest in restoration. By starting now with Wrights of Lymm’s supplies, you’ll be entering a growing field with limitless creative opportunities.

Conclusion: Gild Your Future with Wrights of Lymm

A career in signwriting blends artistry, tradition, and practical skill. With the right tools, expert suppliers, and dedication, you can create signage that is both beautiful and enduring. Wrights of Lymm is here to support your journey—whether you’re laying your first strokes of paint or applying your first sheet of gold leaf to a monumental project.

Explore our full range of gilding supplies, starter kits, and goldleaf products today, and take the first step toward a golden career.