# Episode 028: Signs

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2015-07-09
- Length: 55m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-028-signs

## Summary

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the art and business of making signs, with Diresta detailing his workflow for creating custom signage using CNC machines and materials like chrome-faced brass and two-color plastics. The hosts explore the technical challenges of sign making, including handling vector files, managing brand style guides, and integrating lighting into marquee letters. They also touch on the evolution of the industry from hand-painted lettering to modern digital fabrication, highlighting how tools like the XCarve and Silhouette Cameo have democratized sign production for makers and hobbyists.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=1) Introduction: Episode 28 and Fireworks Story
- [4:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=295) Sponsor Read: Inventables and XCarve
- [6:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=405) Jimmy Diresta's Bar Cart and Marquee Letter Project
- [13:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=828) Sign Making Workflow: CNC, Materials, and Branding
- [23:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=1395) Brand Style Guides and Logo Accuracy
- [29:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=1775) Modern Sign Making: CNC, Vinyl, and Etching
- [37:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=2236) The State of Sign Making: Hand Painting vs. CNC
- [42:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=2543) Encouraging Makers to Make Signs
- [49:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs#t=2972) What We're Watching: Peter Brown, David Welder, Izzy Swan

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Inventables (company)
- XCarve (product)
- Silhouette Cameo (product)
- Adobe Illustrator (tool)
- Core 77 (other)
- Dell (company)
- McMillan Industries (company)
- Peter Brown (other)
- David Welder (other)
- Izzy Swan (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with John Saunders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders) (The Amp Hour)
- [Shop Talk Live 38: Brian Boggs' Brainy Shop Machinery](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2013-08-12-shop-talk-live-38-brian-boggs-brainy-shop-machinery) (Shop Talk Live)
- [STL330: Our least favorite questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-11-29-stl330-our-least-favorite-questions) (Shop Talk Live)
- [Shifting Away From DIY - Pedetentious PnP Progress](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-28-shifting-away-from-diy-pedetentious-pnp-progress) (The Amp Hour)
- [STL 315: I can't believe it's not wood!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-03-stl-315-i-cant-believe-its-not-wood) (Shop Talk Live)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-09-episode-028-signs. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Making It.