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Arts & crafts

Sign maker

Sign makers design, make and install signs for buildings, roads, vehicles and exhibition displays.

Annual Salary

£20,000 to £28,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

42 to 44 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends;

4.8%
Future employment

There will be 4.8% fewer Sign maker jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a sign maker or sign installer, you could:

  • create designs, lettering and graphics using computer software
  • program machines to cut, shape and mould materials for signs
  • print and finish artwork and lettering on digital printers and laminators
  • assemble signs, including metalwork, lighting and vinyl prints
  • install signs on site, sometimes working from elevated platforms
  • use traditional hand-painting and retouching techniques for some jobs

Working environment

You could work in a workshop, at a client's business or in a creative studio.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time, physically demanding and dusty.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Courses include:

  • computer-aided design
  • graphic design
  • art and design
  • engineering

For more information
Apprenticeship

You could do the Signage Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to get into this career.

This will normally take 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
Direct application

You can apply for jobs directly. It may be useful to have GCSEs, A levels, or equivalent qualifications, in subjects like design and technology or art and design. English, maths and ICT would also be helpful.

You might have an advantage if you have experience and qualifications in:

  • computer numerical control (CNC) machining
  • welding
  • laser cutting
  • printing and reprographics

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence
  • be able to cope with working at height

More information

Career tips

If you're going to work as a sign installer, it may be helpful to get a Powered Access Licence, which would allow you to operate a mobile aerial platform. Some employers might put you through the licence course as part of your training.

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With experience, you could become:a workshop supervisor or manager; an estimator, process planner or quality technician in a larger company; self-employed, either independently or as part of a franchise

You could join the British Sign & Graphics Association for professional recognition and to make industry contacts.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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