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Signs of the Times
@signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
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Signs of the Times Magazine is the leading source of comprehensive sign industry news and technical analysis.
Website: http://signsofthetimes.com/
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signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
Happy new year, and our January 2026 digimag is here! The year’s first issue spotlights creative dimensional sign projects, sign company signs from our Brain Squad and much more!
signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover featuring a pole sign for a coffee shop that says “Union | Coffee | Cafe” in white letters on a black background, with a gold rim and a coffee cup icon on the top. The white text below the sign reads: “Exit Here: A Cup for Weary Drivers.” The text above the sign reads: “Signs of the Times | January 2026 | The Magazine for the Sign Professional.” The white text ribbon at the top of the cover reads: “Dimensional Explorer: Creative Processes | Self Promotion: Get Out There | Must-Have Magnetics: Attractive New Options.”
January 6, 2026 at 3:01 PM
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We have showcased plenty of bar and pub signs made by our Brain Squad members in several magazine issues over the years. Now, we have gathered all of them in a gallery for your convenience and viewing pleasure.
19 Bar and Pub Signs to Toast
Raise a glass to the shops that poured every ounce of effort into them.
signsofthetimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
The American Sign Museum in Cincinnati is looking for hand sketches of signs for their next exhibit, The Heyday of Sign Sketches 1930-1970! The exhibit will open in February. The deadline for submission is Jan. 20.
American Sign Museum Seeking Sign Sketches
Needed for an upcoming exhibit on The Heyday of Sign Sketches.
signsofthetimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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Signs of the Times delights in being a place for signmakers to exchange advice, news and information. Four sign companies below detail the challenges they faced during electrical projects and the lessons they have drawn from them.
Lessons in Electrical Sign Manufacturing
From design flaws to cleaning up others’ mistakes.
signsofthetimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:07 PM
signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
Our December 2025 digimag is here! The issue focuses on lessons from illuminated signs, holiday light projects and much more!
signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover depicting a welder with mask on. The text in the center reads: “The Big Story: Illuminating Experiences — Lessons from lighted signs.” The text at the top of the cover reads: “Gadget Gallery: Easy Labor | Catch the Spirit: Seasonal Displays | Margin Hunters: Ways to Profit.” The text below that reads: “Signs of the Times | December 2025 | The Magazine for the Sign Professional.”
December 1, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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As the colder weather sets in, few things can beat a comforting cuppa. Six signshops from our Brain Squad showcase their café and coffee shop signs that set the mood.
6 Café & Coffee Shop Signs Made to Order
All are a cup above in this highly competitive market.
signsofthetimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
Our November 2025 digimag is here! The issue spotlights future landmarks, coffee shop signs, specialty vinyls and much more!
signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover depicting workers installing a giant “H” letter sign on a white building wall. The “H” is blue with red outline and a star as the bridge. Underneath the “H” is “HEARTLAND” also in blue. The cover text below the installer’s lift reads: “Focal Points: Landmarks in the Making.” The blue ribbon at the bottom of the cover reads: “Graphic Films: Stars a Special Cast | Tip Your Cappuccino: Signage Brewing | Technology Is Great: Just Not Always.” The text at the top of the cover reads: “SIGNS OF THE TIMES | November 2025 | The Magazine for the Sign Professional.”
November 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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Three signshops in Michigan, Texas and Indiana report on their participation in and success on this year’s Sign Manufacturing (MFG) Day, which officially took place Friday, Oct. 3. All three companies saw plenty of excitement from students and educators alike.
Sign MFG Day 2025 Stories
Reports from participating sign companies reflect a very successful event.
signsofthetimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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From race car-inspired patterns to a sleek blue Porsche: We showcase a cavalcade of colorful car wraps where each is cool in its own way.
5 Very Cool Car Wraps
Awesome printed and color-change wraps keep these cars chill.
signsofthetimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
Our October 2025 digimag is here! The issue showcases a cavalcade of cool car wraps, runners-up to our 2025 Sign Contest, raster image processors and much more!
signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover featuring five cars wrapped in various colors and patterns. The white text in a red box near the center reads: “Collect ‘Em All: Cool Wraps for Hot Wheels.” The white cover text at the top reads: “Signs of the Times | October 2025 | The Magazine for the Sign Professional.” The white text on a red ribbon at the bottom reads: “RIP Roaring: Image to the Max | Print Forecast: Growing Strong | Contest Runners-up: Couldabeen Contenders.”
October 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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In celebration of his 75th birthday last month, we interviewed John Borell, former owner of Steel Art Co. (Norwood, MA), where he reflected on 55 years in the sign industry.
Longtime Signmaker Advises Flexibility to Change
John Borell from Steel Art Co. reflects on 55 years of business.
signsofthetimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
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Congratulations to the winners in Category 5 of our 2025 Sign Contest, signshop or outside-designed vehicle wraps!

1st place: Redline Design
2nd place: Redline Design
3rd place: TM Signs and Graphics
Best Signshop or Outside-Designed Vehicle Wrap
Two Cybertrucks and a Beetlejuice Camaro.
signsofthetimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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Robert “Butch” Anton, better known in the industry as “Superfrog,” passed away on Sunday, Sept. 14, at age 81. A celebration of his life will be held on Sept. 22 at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN.
Butch “Superfrog” Anton Passes Away at 81
Sign industry celebrity contributed many lasting impacts.
signsofthetimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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Congratulations to the winners in Category 4 of our 2025 Sign Contest, outside-designed and signshop-fabricated, non-illuminated signs!

1st place: AJ Sign Co.
2nd place: AJ Sign Co.
3rd place: ARTfx
Best Outside-Designed, Signshop-Fabricated Sign, NOT Internally Illuminated
Large wall graphics, tool-shaped sign and faceted wood wall.
signsofthetimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM
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Congratulations to the winners in Category 3 of our 2025 Sign Contest, outside-designed and signshop-fabricated, illuminated signs!

1st place: Bakers’ Signs & Manufaacturing
2nd place: Sign Lite
3rd place: Whittaker Signs

signsofthetimes.com/best-outside...
Best Outside-Designed, Signshop-Fabricated Sign, Internally Illuminated
A huge starburst pylon, medical and restaurant signs.
signsofthetimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
Congratulations to the winners in Category 2 of our 2025 Sign Contest, signshop-designed and fabricated, non-illuminated signs!

1st place: Imagination Corp.
2nd place: Vim Creative
3rd place: Advanced Sign Solutions
Best Signshop-Designed and Fabricated Sign, NOT Internally Illuminated
A fantasy town entrance, Hawaiian shops and city monument.
signsofthetimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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Congratulations to the winners in Category 1 of our 2025 Sign Contest, signshop-designed and fabricated illuminated signs!

1st place: Media Resources Inc. and YESCO Phoenix
2nd place: Blackout Signs and Metalworks
3rd place: Cima Network Inc.
Best Signshop-Designed and Fabricated Sign, Internally Illuminated
2024 Sign Contest: CATEGORY 1 FIRST PLACE Project Name Roadside Pylon Replacement Fabricators Media Resources Inc. Oakville, ON, Canada mediaresources.com YESCO Phoenix Phoenix yesco.com/phoenix Insta...
signsofthetimes.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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Our September 2025 digimag is here! The issue showcases the top three winners in each category of our 2025 Sign Contest, an Eagles superfan’s RV wrap, sign companies’ pay rate and much more!
signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover depicting a wooden sign. The text on the sign reads: “Tom’s Candle Pins | Since 1957.” The sign hangs from an arc shaped like a snake with a bowling pin sticking out from its tongue. The cover text below the sign reads: “Knock ‘Em Down: Bowling Over the Competition.” The letter O in “down” is a circle that says: “Sign Contest 2025.” The cover text above the sign reads: “Signs of the Times | September 2025 | The Magazine for the Sign Professional.” Above the cover text is a ribbon that reads: “Workflow Dart: Management Apps | Tailgate Transformation: On Eagles’ Wings | Barter Economy: Yea or Nay?”
September 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
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The winners of our 2025 Sign Contest have been announced, with Imagination Corp. (Chilliwack, BC, Canada) taking home “Best of Show.” Congratulations to all the winners!
2025 Sign Contest Winners Announced
Imagination Corp. crowned “Best of Show” with fantasy world town facade.
signsofthetimes.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
signsofthetimesmag.bsky.social
Our August 2025 digimag is here! The issue captures scenes from the Letterheads’ 50th anniversary, large-scale murals, residential signs and more: signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover that says: “Signs of the Times | August 2025: The Magazine for the Sign Professional” at the top and “Columns: Past Presence | Traditional Signpainting & Design on Display” at the bottom in bold gold letters. In the center of the cover is a sign in the park that says: “Letterheads 50th Anniversary, 1975-2025.” The sign is in the style of an early 20th century art deco illustration. The headings next to the sign read: “Wall & Window: Mural Graphics | 5 or More > 4: Adding to CMYK | Community Collage: Residential Signage.”
August 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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Our July 2025 digimag is here! The issue spotlights new digital printers, a way to recruit young signmakers, church signs and more: signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover that shows a young person operating a printer. The person wears a black short-sleeved shirt over striped long sleeves, a medallion, a black mask, glasses. Their hair is dyed blue on one half and red on the other half. The cover text reads: “Young at Art: Finding New Employees.” The text above reads: “Signs of the Times | July 2016 | The Magazine for the Sign Professional.” A red ribbon at the top of the cover reads: “Fit to Print: Latest Models | Color Correct: Managing Imaging | Houses of the Holy: Signs of Worship.”
July 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
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The Letterheads movement celebrated its 50th anniversary at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati over the last weekend, bringing together sign artists from around the world for love of a traditional craft.
29 Brushes With the Letterheads’ 50th Anniversary
signsofthetimes.com
June 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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GrandMark Signs (Lenexa, KS) recently completed the first of two massive free-standing letter sets for The Crossing — a mixed-use development — at the University of Kansas. It is their biggest project to date.
Signshop Creates Massive Letter Set for University of Kansas
The free-standing letters comprise the first of two identical sets.
signsofthetimes.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:07 PM
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Our June 2025 digimag is here! The issue takes a look at a centennial Goodyear blimp wrap, offers leadership and management advice, cruises through bar signs and more: signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover with a white blimp in a blue sky. The blimp has the Goodyear logo in dark blue in the center. The text below the blimp reads: “Rarefied Air: 100th Anniversary Goodyear Blimp.” The top of the magazine cover reads “Signs of the Times” in yellow and “June 2025: The Magazine for the Sign Professional” in white. The text on top of that reads, in white: “Leading & Managing: Shops Need Both | Gettin’ Inked: Latex-UV-Resin | On the House: Flight of Bar Signs.”
June 2, 2025 at 1:13 PM
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Our May 2025 Digimag is here! The issue studies three different fabric sign projects, as well as CNC routers, a wrap for a teenage race car driver and more: signsofthetimes.com/digital
A magazine cover featuring a 14-year-old white girl in black and blue race car driver uniform. She is posing against a red race car with a white 57 number on the side. The cover lines read: “Victory Wrap: How a Signshop & Nascar Junior Champ Make a Winning Team.” The ribbon at the top of the cover reads: “Fabric of Society: Awnings & More | Cutting Into CNCs: Route to Follow | Ahoy There! Ship-Shape Makeovers.” Below it: “Signs of the Times | May 2025: The Magazine for the Sign Professional.”
May 1, 2025 at 2:02 PM