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direction of grain for cut out letters?
I was wondering if there is a ‘rule of thumb’ for grain direction for cut out brushed stainless steel lettering as there seems to be conflicting opinions from trade suppliers wheather the grain should run top to bottom or left to right.
Recently did a set of kick plates for a client who rejected the plates because the grain ran top to bottom. In that instance perhaps the grain should run with the longest dimension which would have been left to right in the case of door kick plates.
But cut out letters are usually similar in height to width ratio which begs the question is there any common wisdom for deciding the correct direction?
your comments would be welcomedjavascript:emoticon(‘:)’)
javascript:emoticon(‘:)’)thanks Neil 🙂
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9 Replies
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Personally I like the grain running horizontal, seems to flow better with the lettering. I think if their were italicized letters it looks funny if the grain is running top and bottom.
There’s been the odd occasion due to material useage on the router that I had to run the grain top and bottom. Didnt really care for it ,but the client didnt seem to mind.Stevo
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OOPS double post
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Stevo
good point about the italic letters looking better with with the grain running horizontal – thanks for your imput
(‘:D’)
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I might add a thought here…
When we burnish gold leaf to create an illusion of a carved letter we scratch the gild with velvet. Horizontal scratches reflect sunlight and appear to be very bright. Verticle scratches do not reflect the light and appear darker.
I just wonder it it works the same with stainless…..hmmmmm (?)
Joe,
Makin Chips and Havin Fun
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Hi Joe,
That’s interesting that you use velvet to add a scatched effect to the gold leaf.
I’ll have to try that out – thanks for the tip and good point about the light
looking better for the horizontal brush/scatch lines.Neil
javascript:emoticon(‘:)’) -
This is wat the burnishing looks like…
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … nn_speed=1
The verticle line is scratched (rubbed) verticly and horizontally on the horizontal line.Joe,
Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
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I’d like to add following recent experience in choosing a direction of brush lines on stainless steel cut out letters.
I found that when using cut out stainless steel lettering inside, that
a vertical brush line is less likely to create a bright reflection from
interior lighting. The horizontal lettering picked up bright light from
overhead spotlights which the client didn’t like as they were blinded
as soon as they walked into the reception!
javascript:emoticon(‘:wink:’)
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For door kick plates horizontal would look better – wider than high.
I usually go for vertical grain on letters unless it has to have horizontal grain due to material sheet size available. Light refection from horizontal can be a problem, vertical grain also provides better run off when it rains! In the end it seems like a personal choice, i don’t think there is a really right or wrong. -
Hi
Most will make the grain vertical, its something that Pearce Signs have always made them. The advantage is that dirt & water flow down the letters, not build up in the fine grain.
However, if you ever order satin letters, always state how you want the grain, as some companies will go horizontal, and that’s only to save on materials
Vince
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