Welcome to The Hand Lettering Forum!
This is an interactive Bulletin Board on the topics of Sign making, design, fabrication, History, old Books and of coarse Letterheads, Keepers of the craft. The Hand Lettering Forum features links to resources, sign art history, techniques, and artists profiles. Learn more about Letterheads at https://theletterheads.com. Below you'll see Mchat has been added as a live communication portal for trial, and the Main forum Links are listed below.

Search found 569 matches

by Kent Smith
Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:29 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Are you an S-Corp.
Replies: 4
Views: 2770

Re: Are you an S-Corp.

Check with your attorney as well. Ours advised an LLC was just as protective for liability and our accountant indicated there is not a tax advantage to the corp.
by Kent Smith
Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:04 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: FaceBook?
Replies: 8
Views: 4633

Re: FaceBook?

My main purpose to be on facebook is to see photos etc of grandkids. The company site has not brought us a bit of business and the only interest has been from friends who already know about us so I have not updated it. With the usual postings I see, it is a royal waste of time especially the games.
by Kent Smith
Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:57 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Colorado Letterheads
Replies: 6
Views: 4292

Re: Colorado Letterheads

We are honored to sponsor this site as we also reap the benefits.

Bill and to any and all Letterheads in Colorado, make sure I have your email so you can be notified of upcoming local events and meets. Doesn't happen often and we do not post as they are usually small, by invitation only meets.
by Kent Smith
Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:03 pm
Forum: Annoucements
Topic: Happy 2011
Replies: 9
Views: 13907

Re: Happy 2011

Better every month and TwentyEleven promises to be better yet. Sending positive energy to everyone.
by Kent Smith
Tue Dec 14, 2010 9:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 11 - Clunes
Replies: 6
Views: 4437

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 11 - Clunes

I would have assumed a picture or perhaps a registry for the circle.

Interesting amount of asphaltum, more common in rural areas here in the US.
by Kent Smith
Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:14 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 11 - Clunes
Replies: 6
Views: 4437

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 11 - Clunes

I always enjoy the historic signs. I am curious about the circle in the bottom photo.
by Kent Smith
Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:44 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Rolco Water Size versus Wundersize?
Replies: 3
Views: 2359

Re: Rolco Water Size versus Wundersize?

I find it to be softer even after cure. There are advantages to both, depending upon the final appearance you seek. I suggest an experiment with both to determine which you like better.
by Kent Smith
Sun Dec 05, 2010 8:42 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Rolco Water Size versus Wundersize?
Replies: 3
Views: 2359

Re: Rolco Water Size versus Wundersize?

They are basically the same material but I have found that Rolco cures harder and Wundasize tends to be softer.
by Kent Smith
Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:24 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Requesting insight on some vintage brushes.
Replies: 6
Views: 4458

Re: Requesting insight on some vintage brushes.

I love to use liners and would like to get a double out like the one on the far left. Old brushes can be used and not be brittle if they have never been used in paint. Any others are museum pieces.
by Kent Smith
Thu Nov 18, 2010 11:18 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Blending behind glass problems
Replies: 15
Views: 10532

Re: Blending behind glass problems

Besides too thick a film, the oil and Smith's cream kept the paint from drying enough. Smith's cream is basically hydrogenated linseed oil (think vasoline technology) used as a blending medium. Consequently, there is just too much oil and the paint has sagged because of it. Adhesion to glass is iffy...
by Kent Smith
Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:31 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lacquer method of sign painting
Replies: 8
Views: 5863

Re: Lacquer method of sign painting

This was an exercise in a basically failed attempt to have a very fast drying painted sign. While some, including Matthews had some success, the quality could not have been good, given the examples I have seen over the years. During the time period, lacquer had the highest gloss as well as fast dry,...
by Kent Smith
Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A Recent Acquisition
Replies: 4
Views: 3028

Re: A Recent Acquisition

I will be teaching a workshop at ISA April 28

Would be good to see you again.
by Kent Smith
Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:00 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A Recent Acquisition
Replies: 4
Views: 3028

Re: A Recent Acquisition

let me know if you need my sis to pick it up, I will be thete next April.
by Kent Smith
Sun Oct 17, 2010 12:07 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Damar embosing
Replies: 18
Views: 16092

Re: Damar embosing

Mike, yes the Damar that I made was white Damar which was the formula I gave to Rick. So is the one that Ron makes at Letterhead Sign Supply (same formula). Erik, yes you can use the WW Window Spar. Some of the new formulae of varnish are base mixes rather than natural resin. Quick Rub has always wo...
by Kent Smith
Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Just in Case You Missed the News....
Replies: 4
Views: 3045

Re: Just in Case You Missed the News....

Fun to drive around town...someone sent me a link to a You-tube video of the wagon but I lost it.
by Kent Smith
Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A Short Hello
Replies: 8
Views: 4651

Re: A Short Hello

Hi neighbor
by Kent Smith
Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:47 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Damar embosing
Replies: 18
Views: 16092

Re: Damar embosing

Most certainly you want the pure white damar crystals, make with pure filtered turps which is also water white. Filter the damar after formulating to rid it of any bark or root particles which can darken the varnish. The best quality quick rubbing is also water white. If the quick rub is amber, then...
by Kent Smith
Tue Sep 28, 2010 2:25 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Shellack turning white when dry
Replies: 13
Views: 6964

Re: Shellack turning white when dry

Bruce is right and I would be particularly concerned about the alcohol. Most shellac uses denatured but you can use 99% isopropyl. Using too much reducer however allows for moisture absorption and hence the bloom.
by Kent Smith
Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:07 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 4 - insurance window
Replies: 6
Views: 3851

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 4 - insurance window

My guess would be much earlier because of the use of the &C as well as the style of the copy at the bottom. What is the guess for the original color of the letter centers on FIRE? Neat period piece and indiciative of a particular style. We had one similar to this a few years ago. We varnished th...
by Kent Smith
Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:07 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 4 - insurance window
Replies: 6
Views: 9378

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 4 - insurance window

My guess would be much earlier because of the use of the &C as well as the style of the copy at the bottom. What is the guess for the original color of the letter centers on FIRE? Neat period piece and indiciative of a particular style. We had one similar to this a few years ago. We varnished th...
by Kent Smith
Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Omega file problem.
Replies: 9
Views: 4776

Re: Omega file problem.

Another thought, what version of Omega are you using? Omega 4 has an improved auto save feature and Omega 3 has one that does a basic screen save. You might have to look in default places, I found one just sitting on C drive after all the other entries and programs. Also the program automatically se...
by Kent Smith
Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:42 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Jerry Allbright
Replies: 3
Views: 2567

Re: Jerry Allbright

I don't find any photos of Jerry...anyone else?
by Kent Smith
Mon Aug 30, 2010 12:18 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Jerry Allbright
Replies: 3
Views: 2567

Jerry Allbright

The teacher of many original Letterheads has passed away. Celebraiton of his life will be Sept.5, 1419 S. Zuni from 1:00PM on (potluck food at 5:30PM)

Contact Jan 303-935-5810
by Kent Smith
Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:32 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Celebration of Life Gayle Peabody
Replies: 2
Views: 2042

Re: Celebration of Life Gayle Peabody

Gayle will be missed by everyone who knew her. God Speed.
by Kent Smith
Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:13 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Purple bronze powder
Replies: 5
Views: 3643

Re: Purple bronze powder

Crescent still has purple (grape) listed in their colors.
by Kent Smith
Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:51 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1906 Rawson & Evans sign on shorpy
Replies: 16
Views: 12003

Re: 1906 Rawson & Evans sign on shorpy

Yes I was there, so was Mike, Neal Hayes and Joe Balabusko. I really was never clear on the timeline. Rick new more about that. I suspect Cincinnati, Western and R&E all copied each other as well as popular texts of the era. If my other research is correct, then there were also many small compan...
by Kent Smith
Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Quills
Replies: 9
Views: 6513

Re: Quills

I suggest using your carving talents to shape the wood handle as close to size of the quill as possible. Then a spot of waterbased wood glue (don't overdo it) on the end would cure in the base. Wait a day or two. If the glue appears to not be dry, give the hairs a quick rinse in hydrogen peroxide, t...
by Kent Smith
Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:29 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Paint for blacktop
Replies: 5
Views: 3448

Re: Paint for blacktop

602 and regular block out are the same formulation as the solvent based traffic marking paints. Latex acrylic will kill the bleed though.