HISTORY OF LETTERHEAD IN NZ
The First New Zealand Letterheads meet was held at Field Signs Co Ltd, Auckland - November 1998
Letterheads in New Zealand:
The Letterheads movement has become well-established in New Zealand, with the first meet held at Field Sign Co. in Auckland in November 1998. Since then, it has alternated annually between the North and South Islands.
Attendees travel from across New Zealand and are joined by Australian counterparts. Apprentices, are encouraged to participate and receive mentorship and support from experienced painters, ensuring the craft is passed down to the next generation.
While panel jamming and hands-on projects remain the heart of the gatherings, these meets also feature a number of structured workshop including gilding, caricatures, sign aging, and layout, along with the traditional pin-striping competition.
Traditionally letterhead meets undertake a community project such as community murals or community play equipment.
Many participants arrive with items to letter and decorate, including old fence posts, letterboxes, bar signs, and skateboard decks. In addition, a variety of materials are available on-site for creative expression.
Letterheads – Worldwide:
The Letterheads movement began in Denver, Colorado, when a group of sign painting apprentices first united, since then sign painters worldwide have convened at Letterheads meets, exchanging traditional techniques and fostering a culture of mentorship and collaboration. These gatherings have been vital in preserving the craft, with countless events held across the globe.
Even today, the movement thrives on newcomers to the trade, fostering an open exchange of knowledge, skills, and time among like-minded craftspeople—often in a lively atmosphere with drinks and refreshments.
These gatherings, known as ‘Letterhead meets’, vary in size and format, ranging from small shop meetups over a few beers to large, multi-day events with hundreds of international attendees.
Known as ‘The Keepers of the Craft’, those attending are dedicated to sharing tips, techniques, ideas, and friendships. Letterheads meets have no fixed agenda, but a cherished tradition is the ‘panel jam’, where participants create small signs and panels purely for the joy of the craft—free from client demands. These pieces, often humorous and imaginative, are often exchanged among attendees or auctioned for charity at the event’s conclusion.
THE LETTERHEADS CREDO
Purportedly as written by one of the American originators of the Letterheads movement hence authenticity (and intent) cannot be guaranteed !!
Tenet 1: Under no circumstances, and at no time, will any Letterhead defame, defile or in any other matter denigrate the reputation, skill, personality or business acumen of any fellow member…. Provided that he or she is within earshot.
Tenet 2: A Letterhead strives for uncompromising quality. A Letterhead never performs a job in less that the most craftsmanlike fashion, nor will he or she use less that the finest materials…. unless;
It was too cold.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
It was too hot.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
The paint didn’t work right.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
The customer was a jerk.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
You were late for a meet.
You didn’t get enough for the job.
Tenet 3: Five letters of the 26 that we use every day are of special significance to the Letterheads. They exemplify the creed. They teach us two important lessons. First, they help keep us humble when we have accomplished a task so well or created an object so beautiful that we’re tempted to consider our efforts superior to those of others or believe that we have reached the pinnacle of our careers.
Second, and perhaps most importantly, we use these letters to help us through the frequent hard times when, despite our best efforts and trying as hard as our abilities allow us, we fail to do a job as well as we’d hoped. They are: International Order of Artists, Fabricators and Signpainters. Or, unofficially, It’s Only A F**king Sign.
