Sign Lettering and Stencils by Rex Rothing
There are many different ways to letter a sign before you route it and paint it. This article will discuss the advantages of the different methods: freehand, block lettering, stenciling, computer printing, and the use of a copy machine, or even, a sign making company. The artist should choose the method of sign lettering acccording to their taste and the final use intended for the sign. See the pictures at the end of this page for samples of these methods.
The freehand method involves just sketching the letters out roughly in your own handwriting or printing style. This is the easiest and most carefree way to letter a sign. Just grab a pencil and wing it on there. Make the adjustments as you see the results. Erase the wrong looking lines and rewrite them, or just sketch over with darker lines until what you see is what you want. This method is used for signs that should look home-made, rustic, or country styled. This method is also used for signs that maybe just temporary in use and do not require the detailed and neater look of more time consuming methods.
Block lettering involves making very basic letters using a block of wood or a ruler as a guide when drawing the letters. The same block of wood can be used to trace around to form letters between two guide lines across the sign. The curves in letters such as "B" or "D" can be added in after the letter is roughly blocked out. This method is not hard to accomplish and results in neater looking straight line lettering. It looks more formal than the freehand way. Choose a block of wood according to the size letters you need; for example, use a 3/4" x 6" piece of wood for making 6 inch letters, or maybe a 1/2" x 4" block for 4 inch letters. This method is OK for short signs with big letters but may become too tedious for a larger sign with many words or for small letters, in which case another method would be better.
Stenciling is a relatively quick and easy way to make a nice sign. You may need to have different sets of stencils for different sizes and types of signs. For routing the sign, try to stay away from stencils that have too fancy a font, too tight of curves, or are smaller than 1 inch in height. Two inches is a good size to route without accidentally chipping out, or closing in the centers of the letters. Many basic stencils are made in block lettering and this can be a real time saver over making your own lettering with a stick to form the straight lines. If you need to make several copies of a sign, it may be worth the time to tape your stencils together or to cut out a custom-made stencil with a razor knife so it can be used over and over again.
Computer lettering is the fastest and most modern way to letter a sign. Several basic programs on any personal computer can be used to create font styles and sizes. Artwork can be scanned into the computer for creating logos and advertising signs. In this method, if the printer can print the sign in full size, even if it is on several pieces of paper, then the papers can be spray glued directly to the sign board and the routing can be done right thru the paper. When finished routing, the remaining paper and spray glue is easily sanded off. Then the paint or finish can be applied.
A copy machine can be very useful when making sign lettering. Many copy machines can enlarge or reduce a sign copy. This can be helpful when you want to make a sign from existing artwork, or to enlarge a sign that was stenciled by hand or typed on a computer. Freehand lettering can be made in large letters and then reduced by a copy machine; this way the small mistakes and inaccuracies are also reduced thereby making nicer looking lettering. As with computer printed lettering, the sign can be pasted and routed directly on the board. For really large signs, a camera and slide projector can be used to transfer and enlarge the image. Work with a slide projector is done at night or in a dark room. The image is traced from the projection directly to the board.
A sign company can be your friend in the business of lettering wooden routed signs. Usually a sign making company has a large format printer and a computer program for making vinyl letter cutouts. This type if sign might not be what you want in the end result but you can hire them to do the artwork. Then you can make your wooden sign from their template or stenciling. In the case of signs that will be sandblasted, the sign making company can sell you the pre-cut, peel-and-stick on, "resist". The resist is a material made to prevent the sign sandblaster from blasting away parts not meant to be blasted.
The use of these different methods for lettering a sign will be determined by the sign maker according to how the end result should look and how the sign owner intends to use the sign. While a "Where's the beach?" sign in your yard may look great in a freehand style, a sign for a clothing store in a shopping center might require sharper looking details. Many times, the sign requires a mixed method or combination of two methods of lettering as shown in the pictures below.
At WoodShop 102 in Key Largo Florida, we can help with your sign making project by providing free advice (contact us), wood for special signs, sign lettering, routing, and finished signs. We can pack & ship anywhere. We can make any size wooden sign, a really big sign if someone really wants it, but mostly we make small to medium sized signs for private uses. For large commercial signs, which are usually made of different materials and would require installation, and a sign permit, you would need a licensed sign contractor. For a free quote, please fax or e-mail your drawing or idea with suggested measurements.
A custom made routed sign makes a nice wooden gift idea that people will cherish for a long time. Families, clubs, and neighborhoods find wooden signs to be great for identification, regulatory, and humorous uses.
Back to HOME
Stencils Stencils & Freehand Freehand and Copy Machine
Freehand & Block Lettering Projector & Copy Machine Block Stencils & Freehand
