Walking into the Antalis Academy on 19th January, surrounded by 8 sign makers by trade, I was beginning to think I was out of my depth attending the Antalis Academy Signmakers Workshop.
I was quick to discover my initial fear was wrong. With our desks pre-prepared with tools and materials, Paul Hughes, our workshop tutor, eased us into the session with an introduction of his career history, making me realise I was in for an interesting day.
Think weeding is just for the garden? Think again!
Our first lesson was learning the basics of applying vinyl graphics, proven techniques and when and where to use them. After this it was time to make our own signs by applying basic text, we watched Paul show us how and it was time to give it a go ourselves. Half way through my board I looked around at the others in the group, expecting them to be sat back waiting for me to finish, but to my amazement I was ahead of the game! After weeding the excess vinyl off my board, being very careful not to get it stuck to my clothes, my first ever (multi-layered) sign was successfully complete.
Surely a cheese wire can’t help us?
During the vehicle wrapping induction, Paul was showing us some of his tricks of the trade when he decided to show us his secret weapon for cutting vinyl on the side of a vehicle, without using sharp tools which could scratch or mark the paintwork. This unique cutting tool looked like a signmakers cheese wire! After the wire was stuck to the side of the car in the shape we needed cutting, the vinyl was applied. To my amazement the wire was pulled out, creating a sharp cut through the vinyl leaving a flawless shape –without the use of any knives near the paint work!
Picking up some tips for the home
One of the most interesting lessons of the day was how to apply vinyl to glass and what methods and materials to use. This will definitely come in handy whilst trying to apply frosted vinyl to my clear glass front door at home!
At 4pm the day came to an end and I was extremely pleased I decided to take part in the workshop. Not only did Paul make everyone feel very welcome despite their previous experience (or lack of in my case!), he encouraged questions throughout the day. Leaving the workshop with my complimentary sign makers toolbox I was in high spirits.
As marketing executive at Antalis, part of role is to add content and update the d2b website, after my Antalis Academy experience….I now understand why I’m always adding “*Sold Out*” to the workshops!
If you’re interested in attending the Signmakers Workshop at the Antalis Antalis Academy, please email digital.antalisacademy@antalis.co.uk, alternatively if you’d like to see what other workshops are on offer, you can find out here.
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