35 Years of Craft, Color, and Creativity: Ron’s Journey in the Sign Industry

In 1990, Ron Kemmel picked up his first brush and began what would become a decades-long career in the world of signs, lettering, and custom vehicle graphics. At the time, computers and vinyl plotters were starting to hit the market. Most trucks and trailers were still lettered by hand – a slow, skilled art form. Ron dove in headfirst, learning the trade brushstroke by brushstroke.

Thirty-five years later, that same drive and dedication still define his work.

A Legacy of Lettering and Design

Ron has spent the last three and a half decades helping businesses get noticed — on roads, job sites, and storefronts across the Midwest. His numbers tell a story of consistency, creativity, and craftsmanship:

• 1,000+ business signs — from storefronts to monuments
• 1,000+ semi trucks custom-lettered or wrapped
• 1,000+ semi-trailers with bold branding
• Hundreds of cars, pickups, vans, and utility trailers
• Several hundred full vehicle wraps applied since the early 2000s

But it’s not just about quantity. Every project, whether for a single truck or a full fleet, has been approached with the same attention to detail and pride in artistry that launched his career in the first place.

Where Tradition Meets Technology

Ron has seen – and embraced – the evolution of the sign industry. From hand-painted signs and gold leaf work to modern digital wraps and contour-cut vinyl, he’s always kept pace with the tools of the trade.

But he hasn’t left tradition behind. Ron still offers hand lettering and pinstriping for customers who value that classic, personal touch. These skills have become rare in today’s fast-paced design world, but Ron sees them as essential – not only for their beauty but as a way of honoring the industry’s roots. Ron’s brush is always ready if it’s a hand-painted helmet or pinstriping on a show truck.

Looking Back – and Ahead

After 35 years, what stands out most isn’t the number of signs or vehicles – it’s the people, the local businesses, truckers, unions, and organizations who have trusted Ron with their brand. Some have been customers for decades. Some are second-generation. As Kemmel Design looks ahead, Ron remains committed to the same principles that got him started: hard work, honest design, and helping clients stand out.

If Ron lettered your truck, built your sign, or wrapped your trailer – we’d love to hear from you! Share a photo or drop us a note. Here’s to 35 years – and to many more ahead!