Customer: Modesto Police Department
Location: Modesto, California
Project: Custom hand painted lettering on SWAT vehicle
Even though there are hundreds of different types of vinyl products and sign substrates, sometimes there no good options for difficult surfaces. A creative and custom alternative in a few of these situations is hand painted signage. Once a common occurrence, hand painted signs are now few and far between which makes them unique in today’s industry. Although typically reserved for large scale projects on buildings, hand painting can be the solution for lettering certain surfaces that will not accept vinyl application.
Recently City Signs was hired by the Modesto Police Department to design and install graphics on their SWAT vehicle. Cut vinyl would automatically be the common choice in this project, however the SWAT vehicle had a matte black painted surface so the vinyl will not adhere to it. City Signs proposed hand painting the lettering and logo onto the vehicle which was the most durable, cost effective and simplest solution.
In this situation we used a pounce pattern to apply a template to the surface of the vehicle for our painter to use as a guide. Pounce patterns are made from butcher paper where tiny holes are punched in the paper to form the outline of the letters. 
The pattern is taped in place and then a chalk pad is pounded over the paper. The chalk travels through the holes and creates an outline on the surface. Then comes the meticulous task of hand painting the letters or design. The SWAT vehicle turn out beautifully, giving the Modesto Police Department a super custom look on a unique vehicle.
City Signs is proud to offer hand painting as an option to our clients. If you are interested in your own hand painted sign please give us a call today at 209.549.2412.
Written by: City Signs
