Sign Painting Paper Signs for Grocery Stores with John Downer

John Downer taught a day of lettering paper signs, which were an important part of the overall "outer look" of grocery stores and supermarkets. Students honed their letterforms through a hands-on process of practice, personal critique and expert guidance from John Downer, who covered layout techniques commonly used for this specialty type of signage.
The video footage seen here was live-streamed to Facebook.
Although John has been perfecting grocery store banners for weekly specials since 1969, he has not formally taught this craft in a workshop format. We were honored to help John bring this craft to the classroom, and was the first to participate.
The class was be held in the Sign Graphics department at the Los Angeles Trade Tech College. The Sign Graphics program at LATTC is the last remaining trade school in the country with a full blown hand lettering program, as featured in the Sign Painters documentary film. A large portion of ticket sales went towards supporting the Sign Graphics program.
About John Downer
John Downer is an illustrious American journeyman sign painter, typeface designer and logo designer. Downer began his career as a sign painter in the late 1960s. His work was featured amongst that of others in the 2014 documentary film Sign Painters. His typefaces have been published by Bitstream, Font Bureau, Emigre, House Industries, and Design Lab. Downer studied at Washington State University and the University of Iowa. His work was featured in the Sign Painters documentary, New York Times Sunday Magazine and more.
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[@NomadismeExperimental]

I hope viewers realize what a historical jem this video is. Thank you for sharing those skills.

[@troubleoh7]

Lol 😂 "This is not Trader Joe's!" I'm a sign maker at Trader Joe's. This is a fantastic video. Thumbs up 👍 with love ❤️

[@gingerkitty4]

Love the culture comments and history infusion!

[@tomasslach]

very educative 30 mins of my life, thanks

[@TypeEdLosAngeles]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tomáš.

[@Mosey410]

Loved this no BS straight to it,wish he'd come through Baltimore.

[@johndowner8025]

1-Shot Art and Sign Poster Color. Comes in a can with a white label. It's not the same as lettering enamel. It dries flat.

[@airbrushken5339]

I'm sorry I taught airbrush techniques to many different trades from signage, cake decorators make-up artist and automotive painters, beside illustration work. I have a collection of publications from the late 1800's till the 1940's.. In all of my reference materials I never heard such a term as "paper signs". Around the world it was called "Ticket Writing" or "Show Cards"... I've seen many companies in England, Australia and the USA who even had full time sign people. Till this day I still see samples around the world in my travels... I'm retired and just hit 70. I also saw many fruit shops and deli's also used shadows to pop out the prices. Again I'm not sure where in the USA you gained your experience.

[@johndowner8025]

Misnomers exist in every nation, not just the three you mention. In 1969, I began in the sign business, and I have not quit since. I’m 67, so you and I are of the same generation. Baby Boomers. At no time during my professional career has a paper sign been regarded by schooled practitioners as either a “price ticket” or a “show card,.” It’s a misconception, and it is spread by uninformed or misinformed individuals. I’m not saying this in a pejorative sense. I am simply stating that what you were told is/was dead wrong. In the trade, we use specific terms, and a *paper sign* is exactly what its name suggests. It’s on paper. Paper can be rolled or folded because it is not rigid, like card stock. A card sign, by comparison is always on a stiff substrate. Poster board or mat board, for example.

[@wawazuzzy2064]

what's left of my head just exploded in delight

[@TypeEdLosAngeles]

We are glad you enjoyed it.

[@Mosey410]

Does anyone know what type of paint that is ? Tempera?

[@TypeEdLosAngeles]

Hey Robert, we used One Shot Poster Enamel.

[@ForvoQuizlet]

Where/when are these classes?

[@TypeEdLosAngeles]

It was a special event, held at the Los Angeles Trade Tech College.