My World of Work

You are here

Home // My Career Options // Signwriter

Signwriter

Bookmark
Design, arts and crafts
Produce Create

Career outlook for signwriter

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£18,000

Experienced

£25,000

Currently employed in Scotland

4,800

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would hand-paint signs for historic buildings, fairgrounds, pubs, classic vehicles, boats and more. This is a traditional craft that involves learning specialised techniques that have been used for generations.

You would:

  • Lay out designs and lettering
  • Measure letter size
  • Prepare surfaces
  • Paint backgrounds by brush, spray or roller
  • Trace designs onto wood, metal or glass
  • Hand-paint designs using special brushes, enamel paint and gold leaf
  • Repaint and retouch signs on site

You would work with different materials such as wood, metal, glass, and specialised paints and varnishes.

Working conditions

Hours

You would usually work 35 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may work evenings and weekends in some jobs.

Environment

You would be based in a workshop or studio, but may also do installation and repainting outdoors. Your work may involve some manual lifting and working at heights.

UK employment status

Full-time

57%

Part-time

8%

Self employed

36%

Create a qualification route

We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.

Discover my route

Search course options

Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.

Find courses

Search job opportunities

If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.

Find a job

Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Taking initiative
  • Implementing ideas
  • Attention to detail
  • Listening
  • Observation
  • Designing
  • Creative
  • Problem solving

Skills Explorer

Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.

Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.

Use the Skills Explorer tool

Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but most employers value a good general education including English and maths.

Some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF levels 4 to 6.

Design qualifications such as a National Certificate, a National Qualification course (SCQF level 5/6) or Higher National Certificate, or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 7/8) in Visual Communication would be helpful.

You can enter some design National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF level 5) with no formal qualifications but most

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths
  • Art and design
  • Practical technologies

You will also need

You will need a portfolio of your work when applying to courses and to jobs.

If you are installing signs on site you will need:

  • a driving licence
  • a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card

Helpful to have

 Once in a job you can gain relevant qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Signmaking (SVQ level 2/3).