As with any company that’s existed over 100 years, Ortwein Sign has undergone a lot of changes. Much of that has been technological changes as we’ve had to adapt with the times. That means that while we started as a company whose primary focus was on hand painted signs we’ve since largely transitioned to handcrafted signs such as LED powered channel letters, machine assisted signs such as pylons, and more. Still even though we rarely practice the art of sign painting anymore, we have a reverence for this time honored tradition that fueled our industry and our own business from its early days. Today we want to honor such craftsmen and women by highlighting ghost signs. Ghost signs may sound spooky; however, really they’re just remnants of these past signs from a previous era. We hope you enjoy diving into this largely lost art, as we explore the signs of old further.
What are Ghost Signs?
Ghost Signs simply put are old painted signs that have remained from decades prior and often have outlasted the business for which they were created. Many of these signs remain in small and medium towns across the United States, as communities work to preserve their heritage. At times too these signs are discovered when walls are removed or buildings are demolished leaving behind previously covered walls.
What do Ghost Signs look like?
Coffee Company Ghost Sign in Downtown Chattanooga, TN
Ghost Signs can vary depending on the style of the original signs; however, they often look like multi-colored or perhaps duotone hand painted signs. Typically they are found on brick; however, that’s not exclusively the case.
Who painted Ghost Signs?
Ghost signs were painted by craftsmen and women that worked for sign companies, often before the advent of newer technologies such as neon and routed signs. These painted signs are in many ways the original sign type, though of course wooden signs, and signs of other materials existed as well.
Why are Ghost Signs important?
Ghost Signs are primarily important now for their historical value. Often the companies the Ghost Signs represented are out of business (aside from long standing companies like Coca-Cola or Pepsi), so their advertising function is no longer as essential. Still these Ghost Signs represent our connectedness to our past and our heritage, and especially in smaller towns these are considered an important throughline to our present day.
How do you preserve Ghost Signs?
Naturally fading Ghost Sign in South Pittsburg, TN
Preserving Ghost Signs can be difficult; however, there are options you can consider. Just remember different people have different perspectives on what is preservation, so your choice may depend on that perspective.
- First you may consider clear coating the sign. You would need to clean the sign, as you cannot (or perhaps should not), paint over dirt and grime; however, you’d need to be very careful to preserve the sign’s integrity. Once applied however this clear coating would help preserve the Ghost Sign.
- Second you may consider repainting the sign. This choice however may not be to everyone’s tastes, depending on their idea of conservation; however, it would give the sign new life. If you did this you would then be able to clear coat it as well afterward to help preserve it for even longer.
- Lastly you may simply document the sign. Many proponents of preservation prefer to allow the sign to naturally fade on, and instead will capture the sign with videos and more often photos. This may be the preferred method if your preservationists prefer a more hands off approach.