Mr Bachop has sold his business of 44 years, Bachop Visual Imaging, to Custom Signs owner Terry Soper, but said he had few regrets over his decision after an enjoyable career in his chosen profession.
Signwriting was all he had ever wanted to do, and he had enjoyed the variety and technology and the chance never to stop learning.
When he started in 1962, the quality of workmanship was mixed because it relied on the human element, Mr Bachop said.
Back then, two signwriters doing the same job would get quite different results, but the introduction of new technology such as wide-format digital printing ensured the quality was consistent, he said.
Although technology had improved the quality of signwriting and accelerated the process, the physical work, such as in the application of printed graphics to a vehicle, remained time-consuming, Mr Bachop said.
Preparing the graphics might take only 45 minutes, but applying them to a vehicle could take two days.
"You still have got the human element and that hasn't sped up."
Mr Bachop has been at the forefront of the introduction of much of the industry's new technology, being one of the first signwriters in New Zealand to use wide-format digital printing, which replaced bubble-jet printers.
He was also the New Zealand agent for much of the new printing technology, which not only took him overseas, but gave him an insight into signwriting trends and equipment.
Mr Soper has been in the business for 15 years, starting at Custom Signs at the age of 18.
He said the mix of the two businesses complemented each other.
Half of Bachop Visual Imaging's clients were from outside Dunedin while almost all his clients were from the city.
Mr Bachop will assist Mr Soper in the immediate future as an adviser and with roles in site survey and sales.
