Signage is an essential aspect of a shop’s identity, silently conveying its message through design and symbols. It’s not just about providing information; it represents the shop’s core and history. In Macau, traditional hand-crafted signs blend calligraphy and typesetting, reflecting the owner’s, observer’s, and creator’s values. These signs are more than decoration; they tell the story of the business and the city, becoming part of the street’s own story.
Before the digital era, hand-drawn signs were prevalent for businesses and buildings, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes. Signage production, handled by advertising and design firms, offers comprehensive services from design to maintenance. Diverse materials like copper, stainless steel, and neon are used, reflecting the establishment’s style.
Macau’s sign-making industry started to develop in the 1970s, and diversified in the 80s, with a shift from handmade to computer-designed signs in the 1990s, though handmade signs have become less common despite their charm.
The client will discuss the details of the sign with the production company, including content, materials, style and design with a mockup design.
The calligrapher writes each character on the paper at its designed actual size, often with several options to choose from.
Glue the written calligraphy characters and the glue board together with paste or white glue.
Use a saw to cut along the shape of the characters and clean them. This completes the production of one handwritten sign character.
The local sign-making industry in Macau faces competition from advanced manufacturing in the Mainland and the rise of digital typesetting. Traditional handcrafted signs are becoming less common, replaced by computer-designed, mass-produced signs. Despite this, there’s a movement to preserve handwritten signboards as a cultural carrier, reflecting a shift from practicality to nostalgia and cultural conservation.
Master Lam, a renowned figure in Macau’s sign craft industry, operates Ngai Fu Signboard at Beco dos Faitiões. With 40 years of expertise, he has produced over 800 signboards across Macau. Recently, he’s been enhancing his calligraphy and collaborating with groups to advocate for the art of type making, aiming to preserve the cultural significance of words.
CURB © 2024 All Rights Reserved.