- Keep various enamel- and water-based paints on hand, as well as paint brushes in a variety of sizes. Stencils are also good to have. They can be time-savers for elements you add to your signs on a regular basis. Rulers, paint thinner and remover, an airbrush gun and airbrush paints, and a power sander are other tools you might have in you toolbox if you want to paint signs on a regular basis, especially for profit. If you hand make the signs you paint, keeping a good supply of various wood stock on hand is a good idea as well.
- Relief carving is an excellent way to get three-dimensional effects from your sign lettering. If you have any talent with a chisel, you can carve away wood from the work surface to bring out letters in relief. Relief lettering adds depth to your painting without the use of shadowing techniques. If you can't carve, you can create a three-dimensional effect with your letters using layered stencils or by painting dark shadows around brightly colored individual letters to add depth and shading to your lettering.
- Add textured effects to your signs to give them extra personality. You can purchase spray paints that replicate the texture of stone. There are also paints to create a metallic appearance. You can also add material to your paints to give your signs texture. Sand, pebbles and small chips of wood will stay in the paint when it dries and add visual and textural elements to your signs. You can also add glitter to wet paint for special effect.
- Vary the size and font style of your letters. Don't make everything uniform, but be sure all of the letters you paint are readable, even when using fancier font faces. Pay attention to colors that go together and use gradation effects to bring your letters out. Two or three shades of the same color often work best when you use this technique. Shading letters with more than one shade of the same color is also an effective technique for bringing out depth and maintaining color balance.
