painting lettering on shop awning

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I have been told the best way is to use thinned silk screen inks, but I never have.
What I do (I don’t use masks, hate them, I’d try a pounce pattern)
is paint the first coat in the color of the awning, as it will bleed thru.
The next coat would be your regular lettering color.
Ronan makes a water based lettering enamel which is nice, but I’ve also used 1 Shot.
Make sure to charge enough, these are usually a pain in the tush.
Love….Jill

[A Misselbrook]

Hi Martin

I have just painted some blinds for a local shop. I used one shot lettering enamels. But I didnt stencil. I would recommend using quite a thick paint so that it wont run under the stencil. A thick undercoat maybe?

[Martin Pearson]

quote Martin Manley:

Hi, I’ve been asked to change the canvas valance on a shop awning and include new text. After scary prices from blinds and awning manufacturers I’m thinking it can’t be that difficult to do yourself….
If I cut a mask in vinyl what paint should I use?

Martin

I’m thinking of having a go at open heart surgery, saw a documentary and it looked easy :lol1:

Martin, seriously there is probably more to this job than you realise. I am guessing you would first have to block out the old name which may not be easy depending on what colours have been used. I have to be honest and say I have never tried this myself, when I have had a name to put on a canvas type awning they hae been new and I got a sign writer to do it with inks rather than risk mucking it up myself trying to use a mask.
If your going to use paint I am guessing it will need to be a fabric type paint that is flexible to stop it just cracking and falling off with the movement of the fabric.

[Bob Clarkson]

I’ve done quite a few canvas blinds and curtains, and all I can really advise is the fact it will take longer than you’d imagine. Mine were all written by hand, but I guess you could stencil, if you do I think it’d be best to use a sponge or little foam roller.
I’ve done so many blinds I actually hate them and refuse to do anymore, I "hand wrote" over 200 for "Happy Shopper" alone. Unless it’s a good customer or it’s good money, it’s too much trouble.

In fairness, Martin is spot on. If you’re not 100% on this, it’s best left along. Just realised they’re both Martin, sorry I ment the Martin that answered,.

[Brian Little]

HMMM i wouldn’t stencil it using vinyl it’ll only seep through. Ive lettered a few using my trusty sable chisel edge writers not the easiest stuff to letter on i have to say

[Neil Davey]

I did loads of these in the early nineties and always used a thick oil based undercoat
off a hog hair brush as sable just glides over the surface.

[Martin Manley]

thanks guys – the customer has since come up with a complex cartoon logo to put on this so i got it made in PVC and used banner vinyl instead (I know, I know…) thanks for the info anyway
Martin