Bring ideas to life through signs and design.
As a Signwriter, you combine creativity with craftsmanship to produce signs that inform, inspire, and stand out. You work with clients to interpret proposals and sketches, then design and fabricate signs using both digital tools and traditional techniques. Your tasks range from painting lettering on brick, timber, glass, or metal, to creating murals, screen prints, gold leaf work, and custom vehicle art. You may also build and install three dimensional signs, prepare cost estimates, and work on site to erect signage safely. It’s a role that blends artistry with precision, requiring attention to detail, practical skills, and the ability to adapt across diverse projects and materials.

For further information:
Australian Sign and Graphics Association
Ph: 0448 274 211

TAFE SA offers Certificate III in Signs and Graphics relevant to this occupation.

For more details on apprenticeships, see Traineeship & Apprenticeship Services Website at http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/apprenticeships-traineeships or phone the Freecall number 1800 673 097.

Most signwriters are self-employed. Others work for signwriting firms or industrial and commercial firms. Most jobs are in metropolitan areas. With over half of signwriters in the State work in marketing and business management the need for training is ever increasing. It is a small occupation and competition for apprenticeship places is strong.

Technological changes and computer-aided production have significantly reduced the workforce. The demand for signwriters, which is influenced by levels of business activity and the size of advertising budgets is projected to remain steady in the medium term.

After signwriters and their clients reach an agreement on matters such as concept, design and cost, the signwriting process can get underway. Signwriters prepare their designs either by hand or computer and then go about selecting the materials that will be used. The surfaces they work on also need to be prepared, which means ensuring they are clean and that the correct chalks, paints or computerised designs are selected. Next, computerised designs and lettering are printed, or designs and letters drawn and painted, while the design of logos also is an important part of the job role. At this stage, work boards may also need to be cut to size and framed, and surfaces finished or sealed with chemical sprays.

Designs and styles may be specified by the client, it's useful to have creative flair and the ability to listen to and interpret other peoples' ideas. As computer manufactured signs are becoming increasingly popular in the signwriting industry, a desire or willingness to work with computers would also be an added advantage. Multi skilled signwriters usually have a talent for one or more type of signs - neon, electric, pylon, painted wood or vinyl, and depending on their area of specialisation, may also have painting, electrical and airbrush skills.

To attract as wide a client base as possible, it is important for signwriters to create a portfolio of their best work. Signwriters divide their time between working in a studio or office where they design and draw plans for signs, and on site where they meet with clients and construct signs. A studio or office environment should be well lit and ventilated, and consideration should be given to any safety aspects which might be harmful to the signwriter during work.