2025 with Allie Paints Signs: A Year of Hand Painted Signwriting, Growth and Gratitude
Introduction
Looking back on 2025, this year has been one of the most creatively demanding and personally rewarding since starting Allie Paints Signs. It has been a year of learning, confidence building, quiet resilience and meaningful connections through hand painted signage and traditional signwriting.
If you are new here, I am Allie, a UK based traditional sign writer creating bespoke hand painted signs, murals, shop fronts and custom artwork for small businesses, brands and events. This post is a round up of some of the projects, challenges and milestones that shaped 2025 and a thank you to everyone who supported my work along the way.
Using DYCP Training in Real World Sign Writing Projects
One of the strongest foundations for 2025 came from applying my DYCP Developing Your Creative Practice grant training to live commercial work. This included designing and painting window and storefront artwork for Spelt and Rye and Sauce and Brown.
These projects allowed me to push my skills further while reinforcing the value of hand painted shop signage for independent businesses. Traditional sign writing creates warmth, individuality and a sense of place that helps businesses stand out on the high street and online.
Solo Travel, On Site Work and Growing Confidence
This year included several personal and professional firsts.
I travelled solo to Bristol for three days for a job booked through Laura Dalton for Loc8 Me. This was my first time working on scaffolding on an active site. It was intimidating but important and it helped solidify my confidence working on larger commercial signage projects.
Later in the year, I travelled solo to Berlin and stayed in a hostel while attending the Burds of the Brush sign writing event. Meeting and learning from incredible sign writers from across the world was inspiring and grounding. Imposter syndrome was present but growth came with it and this event has quickly become my favourite annual experience.
Hand Painted Signage for Television
One of the most surreal projects of 2025 was creating hand painted signage for the television show Murder Before Evensong, starring Matthew Lewis. The work was completed in February but could not be shared publicly until the show aired in October and November.
Seeing traditional signwriting appear on screen was a reminder that this craft still has a place in storytelling, period drama and film production.
The Reality of Running a Creative Business
Not every moment of 2025 was easy.
I experienced being ghosted by clients which had a real impact on my confidence and made me question my work and direction. This is an honest part of running a small creative business and something many sign writers and artists quietly experience.
Despite this, I continued showing up, taking on new commissions and trusting in the quality and integrity of my work.
Coffee Trailers, Murals and Creative Joy
One of the highlights of the year was creating my first coffee trailer signage for Olivia’s. Painting in the sunshine, surrounded by good people, reminded me exactly why I chose this career.
This led to a large indoor mural for Olivia’s designed to look like a vintage American postcard. Designing and painting this mural was a joy and allowed me to combine illustration, typography and colour in a bold and playful way.
Regular Clients, Commissions and Community
I am deeply grateful for the regular clients and recurring signwriting work that continued throughout the year. These ongoing relationships not only help create financial stability in a small business but also lead to genuine friendships and trust.
Alongside this were many bespoke commissions, from hand painted signs to custom branding pieces. Each commission reinforces the value of choosing handmade, human work over mass produced alternatives.
Ending the Year with Festive Signage
Towards the end of 2025, I created Grinch themed signage for a Christmas lunch event for Xbox and Microsoft employees. This project was a joyful reminder that hand painted signage has a place in corporate events as well as independent businesses and creative spaces.
Looking Ahead
2025 has been a year of growth, vulnerability and gratitude. It has shown me that confidence is built slowly, that doing things scared still counts and that traditional signwriting continues to connect people, places and stories.
If you are here because you are searching for a hand painted sign writer in the UK, bespoke business signage, traditional signwriting or custom murals, I am glad you found me.
Thank you for being part of this year and here is to more meaningful, handmade work in 2026.
Allie