All of our signwriting work is hand painted using traditional methods – paint, brushes, a mahl stick and a steady hand. We produce work both traditional and contemporary in style and enjoy working on a wide variety of projects. We pride ourselves on well thought out design, a high level of finish and attention to detail; we believe that there is no substitute for well executed hand painted signage.
Bravo Boards offer a tailored design service of bespoke signage, lettering and branding. Our design input may include: preliminary sketches; hand drawn and digital proofs; signage and chalkboard layouts; lettering styles; colour schemes and samples; mock-up images and the development of unique logos. We also work with our client’s existing branding and can create bespoke designs and lettering layouts on site or in our studio.
Bravo Boards construct high quality traditional hand painted timber signs to order, including: hanging signs or ‘swing’ signs; new shop front fascia signs; pavement signs or ‘A’ boards; honours boards and bespoke wooden house signs. We are also able to create signs from glass, with gold leaf and hand painted artwork usually applied in reverse. On occasion we have also been commissioned to design and rebuild entire shop fronts.
Real gold leaf has been used to decorate signs, buildings and all manner of objects, for centuries. The brilliance of gold as a material is unequalled and its natural resistance to the elements makes it extremely durable and long lasting. ‘Surface gilding’ is the application of gold leaf to a surface or object using specialist varnish or ‘size’. Other varieties of metal leaf, such as copper, aluminium or palladium, can also be used for certain applications.
The traditional techniques and delicate processes of applying gold leaf to the reverse of glass, can produce magnificent effects with distinctive and elegant qualities. ‘Burnished’ leaf, adhered with gelatine and water size will produce a crisp mirror finish, whilst a ‘matte’, yet brilliant appearance can be achieved by using a clear size or varnish to diffuse the light. A wide variety of grades, colours and carats of gold are available and can be combined with hand painted enamel and other materials within the design.
We have been fortunate to undertake a number of unique restoration and heritage commissions, within signwriting, gilding and related fields. Over the years we have built up a broad knowledge base of traditional materials, tools and techniques. Our background in Architecture and keen interest in historical design and renovation, combined with an exceptional level of attention to detail, enable us to carry out faithful and successful restoration projects.
We regularly update hand painted and gilded honours boards for schools, sports clubs and other organisations. New entries may be hand painted in either cream, black or dark brown enamel, or gilded with real gold leaf. We follow on faithfully from existing entries, some of which date back many a year. We also commission custom made timber honours boards to order.
Bravo Boards can design, construct, paint, signwrite and install traditional timber hanging signs. We commission bespoke metal hanging brackets, to fit the sign and the space available. As with all of our hand made signs, our hanging signs are built to last using marine grade plywood with hardwood frames and finished with high build exterior paint systems to withstand the elements for years to come.
We produce hand written chalkboard artwork for pubs, bars, restaurants, deli’s and other businesses. We can signwrite and update boards on site, or take them away to be painted and written in our workshop. We often cut, build and paint bespoke new boards to size and can provide proof designs in advance to ensure accurate spelling, pricing and setting out. Artwork can be tailored to each individual venue, in a style that is generally clear, bold and elegant.
