Sign Maker Profile Keeping traditions alive
Before printers, cutters, and engravers, there were sign writers. This profession has slowly seen a fall since the rise of mechanical production, but there are still some keeping the traditional sign making kicking. People like Perry Eales of Perry Signs London, whom assistant editor Benjamin Austin visited to talk about the craft.
S
ign makers of today differ hugely from their peers of the past, putting away their paint brushes and mahl sticks for print heads and vinyl.
It’s obvious why, taking the human out of the process means quicker turnaround speeds and uniformity across everything produced. Running costs are cheaper too, with machines not needing salaries or breaks. But what is gained in practicality, the industry loses in artistry, and sign writing is definitely an art form.
Thankfully, there are still those out there keeping the traditional practices alive, offering hand-painted sign writing services. People like Perry Eales. He has been in the industry since he was 15, having now racked up more than 40 years experience.
From his humble workshop in Hertford, Perry Signs London is earning high-class contracts, from the Royals to the Rothschilds, all thanks to his knowledge in his craft.
The novice
It seemed Perry was almost destined to put his hand to sign writing, having been entranced by a chance encounter in 1986 when he should have been in school. He said: “I was walking somewhere in London and I saw this very smart old boy all dressed up and he was painting a van. “I just caught him in my eye, and I needed to get back to class and then thought b******s I’m going to watch this guy.
“I remember he was immaculate and he had a tie on and was sitting there painting and I was thinking how is he doing that, making letters out of his head. “From there I just thought I’d love to do that and just got hooked.” Perry then enlisted for a five-year apprenticeship in East London to learn the trade.
He continued: “I was on a scheme called Youth Training Scheme (YTS) in the 80s getting £26 a week – I didn’t care
| 46 | November/December 2025 Perry Eales (left) standing outside his worskhop with Tom Striver
because I was learning. But I left there and started focusing on my own private work on weekends.
“It then got so busy for me I had to leave the job where I was at so left there and never looked back.” Perry started by making a name for himself hand painting the advertising boards at an array of big-name football clubs.
“I got a bit lucky and got a contract with West Ham. That led on to Charlton then to Watford, then Arsenal, then Brentford, and before you know it, I was doing Wembley.
“I went from one man to six people quite quickly and was based in South Woodford then. I sold that business and then moved to Romford where I sold a shop to a good friend of mine who was in the print game but our working relationship wasn’t happening so he said ‘I’ll buy you out’.”
Things were going from strength to strength for Perry until he would have to give up his craft for three years after serving time in prison.
Perry's workshop filled with Fuller's signs
www.signupdate.co.uk
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