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how do i get my hand lettering spot on?
Hi there,
I have been asked to signwrite some chalkboards for an award winning pub near kidderminster.As the owner is proud of his pub he wants the boards to look spot-on.
One board is approximately 5′ x 3′ with a subtle curved top and he would like , to begin with, a painted orange to yellow fade from top to bottom (which i have already done, with great difficulty!!). On this he wants 2 blacked out areas on the left and right sides so they can chalk in the specials of the day/ evening (the easy bit!!).
In the middle he wants the company logo, underneath the pubs logo then underneath that the logo of the awards body and their award.Usually i would signwrite using my usual style of lettering which is free-hand and funky (which i find easy) unfortunately he wants perfect times new roman lettering which is something i have attempted to do before but has never come out quite right.
Does anyone have any tips for me to get the lettering spot on? the way i was going to do it was to print out the font from my computer and use it as a transfer… am i barking up the right tree?
sorry for the long story!!!
cheers -
2 Replies
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The other day, I had local guy who dabbles a bit with lettering come to me with a job for local church, normally he would brush whatever, but this one was too intricate for him to handle. Client had requested gold lettering in Times Roman or similar.
Unless you set and cut the copy in vinyl you will have to make a pounce pattern which depending on size of lettering/serifs could be difficult and then apply colour. Have never used markers, but would imagine that serifs etc. could be tricky.
My advise is to go the vinyl route
Attached is what I did for him
Pat
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Pat, that looks lovely and very non-computery.
Justchalk, are you going to use chalkboard paint for the blacked-out areas? I’ve never tried it but have often wanted to.
You might like to try the method of drawing your copy onto white paper, then taping it to a window in reverse and going over your lines with a water soluable pencil. Then simply dampen the surface of your sign, place the paper pencil-side down, and go over the original lines on the front with a regular pencil. This will transfer your lettering. No pounce chalk mess either.
For straight lines tape off the tops and bottoms, then paint in your rounded letters later (like Ss and Os) Roman lettering is easy, and allows room for error. "Errors" also add to the traditional hand-done look.
Just give it a go….I love to be able to NOT rely on a computer.love….jill
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