As the year draws to a close, I've taken a look back at the most popular articles on this site, and reflected on the process of launching the world's only print and online magazine dedicated to sign painting. It has certainly been an adventure, and one that I'm excited about continuing in 2023. Read on for the end-of-year top ten articles here at bl.ag online...

Digital Deliberations

I've been reflecting a lot on the year, and in particular the shift I've made away from events to writing, editing and publishing BLAG (Better Letters Magazine). Although I always wanted a print magazine at the heart of the initiative, I knew that online articles, and email newsletters, would also be important. They allow topics to be explored without the constraints of a fixed page count, and to make material accessible to a wider audience.

The online articles were a natural extension to the blog that I used to write on the old Better Letters site, and the vast majority of those posts have been migrated over. The big change since the beginning of March has been trying to publish a new article every week and, with the exception of a week off for my birthday, I've managed to maintain that frequency.

Another shift in the online articles has been the introduction of work by external contributors. This has broadened the range of topics covered, offering a greater diversity of expertise and knowledge. I'll be doing more of this and welcome ideas for future articles.

Submit an Article Idea

The email newsletters have also increased in frequency, from three or four per year to monthly. They allow me to share the latest online articles, alongside news, events, and other adventures in sign painting. They are free to subscribe to and again submissions are welcome.

Time is Money

I have relished the challenge of curating, creating, and commissioning these diverse streams of content for readers. (There's also maintaining a level of activity on Instagram, which I increasingly dislike as a platform.) It all takes time, and because I wanted to avoid becoming an advertising salesman, I took the decision to fund it all through paid subscriptions.

Subscription Options

Some of the feedback I've had on the Blagger plan in particular is that it's expensive for (just) two magazines each year. That's certainly true when compared with mass-market, advertising-funded publications, which BLAG isn't. While subscriptions are needed to fund the writing, editing, designing, printing and distribution of the print magazine, they also contribute to the digital content detailed above, ie 50 online articles and 12 email newsletters per year.

There is then a component to the subscriptions that could be filed under general support for the initiative. I'm a little way off drawing a full-time salary from this work, but that's the dream. For that reason I am grateful to every single person that has shown their support via an online (Browser) or print (Blagger) subscription, and of course our sponsors and patrons.

Subscriptions start from $5 per month and I do offer discounts for students and other lower-income groups, email sam@bl.ag to enquire.

Subscribe to BLAG

As always, I welcome your feedback and input as I continue to develop the whole concept of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine). Email is the best way to reach me, sam@bl.ag.

Top Ten 2022

As a way of looking back and appreciating the body of work that has been created online, I've worked through the analytics to identify the ten most viewed articles at bl.ag. All of these have relied exclusively, or in part, on others' contributions, reflecting a wider shift since March. Collaborating in this way improves the quality and diversity of content on the site, keeps me learning, and makes my work much more interesting.

There is representation from some of the key article categories, with the most popular being Learning, Events, and People. I was a little bit disappointed that History didn't feature explicitly, although it does crop up tangentially in the piece on old French alphabets and the digitisation of Signpainters Don't Read Signs.

So, without further ado, here are the top ten bl.ag online articles for 2022, in reverse order...

10. Going Clear: Clients and the Prison of Commissions

Archie Proudfoot's personal and reflective piece was a relatively late entry (published 1 December) and is an inspiring account of his journey from jobbing sign painter to independent artist.

Going Clear: Clients and the Prison of Commissions
Archie Proudfoot turns his back on client sign painting work to flourish as an independent artist.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
Man looking at posted hanging on a wall.
Archie Proudfoot and the hand-painted A1 posters that launched his new life as an independent artist.

9. Playful Pangrams for Sign Painters (Plus Other Languages)

I was surprised that this one made the top ten as it was something of a personal indulgence given my love for all sorts of word play. Maybe it was David Leutert's accompanying illustration that swung it!

Playful Pangrams for Sign Painters (and Other Languages)
Power up your sign painting practise with these playful pangrams. And then try to write your own.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
The pangram 'Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack' illustrated by David Leutert.

8. Sign Painting a Festive Farewell to the Fair

In July I took a last-minute decision to dash back to the UK to take part in the final Letterheads event held on Carters Steam Fair. The sun shone, and the paint flowed.

Sign Painting a Festive Farewell to the Fair
The Letterheads were out in force for the last ever Signwriting Festival at Carters Steam Fair.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
Hand-painted sign that says 'Scream! if you are terrified and need to get off'.
Panel painted by Stuart Duncumb for the auction at the Signwriting Festival.

7. A Steamy Letterheads in Helsinki, Finally...

I was gutted that I couldn't make the trip to Helsinki for the international meet that was twice delayed due to Covid. However, it was a pleasure to write a review in absentia, and to learn about the flurry of Finnish innovation that took place there.

A Steamy Letterheads in Helsinki, Finally...
Sign painters at Helsinki Letterheads were given the five-star treatment with a sauna and a hot tub.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
Painted sign saying 'Helsinki Letterheads'.
Sauna-themed panel painted by Tindbergs Strek at Helsinki Letterheads.

6. Two Wheels Good—Even Better Lettered

Inspired by an archival photo from Italy, this piece about sign painter bikes was really fun to pull together. I'm now mulling over a follow-up featuring sign painter shop fronts from around the world, so get in touch...

Two Wheels Good—Even Better Lettered
Sign painter bicycles around the world lettered to advertise their sign painting services.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
A doctor's kit bag painted to advertise a sign painter and mounted to the rack of a bike
'Docteur Lettres' by Hélène Valverde, L N ★ GRAPH.
All articles at bl.ag online are funded by paid subscribers. Upgrade to the Browser level, or become a Blagger for the added bonus of receiving BLAG (Better Letters Magazine) in print twice yearly.

5. From Initial Contact to Signed Contract: How to Handle Freelance Art Clients and Get Paid

The business side of sign painting can often be neglected, and so pieces like this by Dirty Bandits' Annica Lydenberg are important to redress the balance. Issue 01 and Issue 02 of the print magazine also feature pieces with a more commercial, rather than craft, focus.

From Initial Contact to Signed Contract
How to successfully manage the process from client enquiry to getting the sign/mural/lettering job.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
'Sign Here' lettering by Annica Lydenberg, Dirty Bandits.

4. The Inspiring World of Vintage French Reference Alphabets

Everyone loves a book of vintage or antique alphabets, and it was fascinating to get an insight into the role they've played for Bruno Durand in this interview about his sign painting journey.

Taking Inspiration from Vintage French Sign Alphabets
Bruno Durand guides his practise with reference to alphabets in vintage French sign painting books.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
Ornate bifurcated letters painted with block and shade.
Detail of Bruno Durand's interpretation of an alphabet by Philippe Dacosta in La Lettre Peinte Décorative.

3. Tips For Left-Handed Sign Painters from Larry Stammers

Although they're estimated to only make up about 10% of the population at large, this piece for leftie sign painters by Larry Stammers at Sign Vision Melbourne struck a chord with all readers.

Tips For Left-Handed Sign Painters from Larry Stammers
Being left-handed is no barrier to becoming a sign painter, and these tips will help you get going.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
Photos showing movement of brush in painting a letter.
Larry Stammers' steps for painting the bowls of a casual letter B.

2. Signpainters Don't Read Signs by Syl Ehr

I've now added the fifth instalment of this book's digital serialisation to the site which only just missed out on top spot in the chart. It is an entertaining glimpse at life on the brush in Portland Oregon during the 1950s.

Signpainters Don’t Read Signs by Syl Ehr
Signpainters Don’t Read Signs (1957) by Syl Ehr published as a digital download in seven parts.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
Letters drawn to represent the movement of 'Speed', cold in 'Minnesota' and wind in 'Chicago'.
Expressive lettering from Signpainters Don't Read Signs by Syl Ehr.

1. How to Create a Painted Faux Neon Effect with Dapper Signs

This piece by Dapper Signs' James Cooper is clearly 'lit' in the eyes of BLAG readers, and deservedly so. It's a detailed step-by-step for creating his 'budget neon' effect, and he's already been commissioned to write another couple of pieces for bl.ag online and BLAG in print.

The Secrets of Dapper Signs’ Faux Neon Effect
Create faux neon with sign painting and airbrush techniques.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
Painter working with a fine brush on a piece of lettering.
Dapper Signs' James Cooper laying down the first highlights for his 'budget neon' effect.

The Next 20...

And as a small bonus, here are the articles that came in places 11–20:

11. Sign Painting on the Small Screen in Ireland

Sign Painting on the Small Screen in Ireland
Illustrator Holly Pereira presents Irish TV show featuring sign painting, among other crafts.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

12. Chain Letter: Alex May Hughes

Chain Letter: Alex May Hughes
Alex May Hughes is inspired by these two advertising mirrors.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

13. How to Price Sign Painting Work

Pricing Sign Painting Work
Online hourly rate calculator for quoting sign painting jobs.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

14. Sign Painting on Newcastle Pub Scoops Design Award

Sign Painting on Newcastle Pub Scoops Design Award
Swarley’s hand-painted signs given Lord Mayor’s design award.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

15. Glittering Glass in Vietnam: The Story of Saigon Gold Sign

Glittering Glass in Vietnam: The Story of Saigon Gold Sign
Saigon Gold Sign’s Thien Nguyen on his gilding journey, and the challenges of working in Vietnam.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters
All articles at bl.ag online are funded by paid subscribers. Upgrade to the Browser level, or become a Blagger for the added bonus of receiving BLAG (Better Letters Magazine) in print twice yearly.

16. Walldogging Galore at the MuralFest In The Dalles, Oregon

Walldogging Galore at the MuralFest In The Dalles, Oregon
The Walldogs painted 17 murals celebrating the city, history and people of The Dalles, Oregon.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

17. Craft & Creativity: The Making of Ludlow and Blunt

Craft & Creativity: The Making of Ludlow and Blunt
David A. Smith and Danny Cooke on ‘The Making of Ludlow and Blunt’, an incredible artwork and film.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

18. Painter Kafeel: Keeping it Hand-Painted in India

Painter Kafeel: Keeping it Hand-Painted in India
Delhi sign painter Kafeel rejected vinyl, kept it hand-painted, and now has a new global clientele.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

19. Noble Signs in the Ascendency in New York

Noble Signs in the Ascendency in New York
David Barnett’s award-winning sign painting for the Ascenders at Type Directors Club.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

20. Ernie Harrison and His Fearless Crew of Lincoln Painters

Ernie Harrison and His Fearless Crew of Lincoln Painters
Under the leadership of Ernie Harrison, the Arthur B. Wright decorating firm scaled new heights.
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine)•Better Letters

Over and Out

Thanks again for your support in 2022, and wishing you all good things for 2023, Sam

bl.ag / @betterletters