How Do Y'all Make Signs?

[Anonymous]

I've created a couple commercial signs in MS Paint, but what method do you use to actually make the signs themselves? Decals or what?

Thanks much!

[mgilger]

If you mean for simple beside the track type signs, I use a Brothers Label maker. Black lettering on clear tape.



Regards,
Mark

[kstrong]

I've used decals, but their longevity outdoors is not the greatest in my experience.

My preferred method is printing on paper, and using a polyurethane resin (the stuff they use for car and boat repairs) to glue it to wood or plastic. Depending on the paper, you may have to paint the wood prior to gluing the two together, as the resin will soak into the paper, turning it translucent in some cases. (Newsprint is good for this--in fact I've purposefully brushed lengths of the stuff with resin to make my own clear "glass" for clerestory windows and other things where non-transparant glass would have been used.)

Later,

K

[TheJoat]

I also use the Brother p-touch as well...even for color signs.

With the black on clear tape, I paint a color underneath. Here's one combined with a gold on black tape:

You can make larger signs as well, you really don't notice the "lines" of the clear tape. I mounted these two on some styrene before I put them on the building.


I've not had a problem with adhesive at all, and my buildings stay out year round.

Can't really read it here. but one sign is from a favorite cartoon: "Hair cut, while you wait!"

[Southwest Chief]

I use Bridgemasters, hold up very well outdoors. And a lot better looking then my crummy signs. Only thing I have to make myself are station signs and D&RGW logos (I use a laser printer and decal paper, and it helps that they are not color, just black lettering).


http://www.bridge-masters.com/

[Anonymous]

Good suggestions. Kevin’s looks like the one I’ll attempt first. I’ll try printing them on Avery labels with a light coat of resin on top. I figure if I can get a year or two out of them that’s OK. Looks like I’ll skip the decal idea. Bruce’s signs look really great as do the buildings they’re on. The store from windows are very realistic looking. At some point I'll have to look into a brother label maker. Sure is a lot of stuff to get all at one time when you're starting out. Thank you to all.