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 61 matches

by Bob Sauls
Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:09 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Introduction
Replies: 2
Views: 2867

Re: Introduction

Welcome aboard. I am impressed that you are doing the ground work. that show some dedication that many do not exhibit.
by Bob Sauls
Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:43 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Thinking of venturing into the sandblasted sign business and
Replies: 7
Views: 6095

Re: Thinking of venturing into the sandblasted sign business and

Been at it since 1980. provide 3-4 blasted signs a year to clients. Never blasted my own yet. unless you are going bigtime, I would sub out the blasting to a local blaster.
by Bob Sauls
Fri May 09, 2014 6:09 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intro and question
Replies: 6
Views: 4929

Re: Intro and question

That's an interesting take. When I was starting out at twenty, so eager to be a real sign man (thinking that I was pretty good). My customers
paid for my practice. I suspect that you'll be getting paid for some of your educational advancement too.
by Bob Sauls
Wed May 07, 2014 3:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Intro and question
Replies: 6
Views: 4929

Re: Intro and question

Trip, I am in Tallahassee where are you. Been at this since 1980. Started with paint then moved to vinyl and paint. Glad to have a foot in 2 worlds. I have recently picked up the quills and been practicing 1 stroke in earnest and it is really helping. go to my website and sent me an e-mail I'll repl...
by Bob Sauls
Mon Feb 24, 2014 11:04 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Clean up strokes
Replies: 4
Views: 4615

Re: Clean up strokes

Aaron those clean up strokes in the diagram seemed confusing to me at first as well. the circles with arrows show the direction of rotation we employ as we are doing those strokes. just place the corner of the brush down then pull the stroke as you spin that same corner into the opposite corner fini...
by Bob Sauls
Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Alf Becker alphabets
Replies: 10
Views: 10319

Re: Alf Becker alphabets

How may i get my hands on one of these books??
by Bob Sauls
Wed Jan 01, 2014 10:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: When I wanted to be like Mike
Replies: 1
Views: 2029

When I wanted to be like Mike

This is a link over to my blog it is my first step by step. Photos rediscovered from the mid-80s.

http://letteringbench.blogspot.com/2014 ... -tail.html
by Bob Sauls
Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:38 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A Christmas Gift
Replies: 2
Views: 2692

A Christmas Gift

While installing a sign today I was delighted to see that a previous customer had decorated one of our signs for the holidays.
by Bob Sauls
Sat Sep 28, 2013 1:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for good software advice.
Replies: 25
Views: 19686

Re: Looking for good software advice.

Love flexi, it is terrific and makes sense for the sign industry not crazy about its bitmap editing. I started in Corel then advanced into Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop because I took a class to better understand the industry, and digital printing. That is not a slam on Corel its just that so many...
by Bob Sauls
Sat Aug 17, 2013 7:55 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Painting Mag material...Help!
Replies: 6
Views: 4983

Re: Painting Mag material...Help!

The issue was that the directory was one that I had built several years ago. I was trying to match existing. I would say that the 1shot alone gave me 75% adhesion. Dave Correl suggested priming the mag with an adhesion primer first. I used SW Multi-purpose primer (waterbased) that had been tinted gr...
by Bob Sauls
Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:22 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Painting Mag material...Help!
Replies: 6
Views: 4983

Painting Mag material...Help!

I need some suggestions. For decades we hand lettered Mags but now getting One Shot to stick to them has become and issue. I am making a magnetic directory. The individual tenant slats will be Mag material painted dk gray (one shot w/ hardener) Then plotter-cut lettering. I have had paint peel up wh...
by Bob Sauls
Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:26 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: painting on auto glass
Replies: 7
Views: 6589

Re: painting on auto glass

And it could just be the poor quality of 1Shot. Had adhesion problems on glass with it too.
by Bob Sauls
Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Spreading rumors
Replies: 1
Views: 2078

Spreading rumors

I was on CSA today and Craig Sjoquist remarked (he actually said it was a rumor not a statement of fact) that he had heard that Sherwin Williams had purchased 1Shot.
Have any of you out there heard this? I truly miss the quality of the old 1Shot.
by Bob Sauls
Fri Jun 21, 2013 4:47 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: question: shaping new brushes
Replies: 3
Views: 2931

Re: question: shaping new brushes

Anna, I have been returning to see if anyone had any sage advice for you about shaping your brush. I shall give you my take only if you accept that it is my best guess and not sent down from on high. I honestly do not know if the twisted wire on the quill has a set position in regards to the "f...
by Bob Sauls
Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:31 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Wall Dog / Sign Painter needed in the Denver area
Replies: 12
Views: 9917

Re: Wall Dog / Sign Painter needed in the Denver area

Not sure but I think the work in those photos were done by Rick Janzen.
Bill DeBekker is in Colorado.
by Bob Sauls
Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:13 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Question!
Replies: 6
Views: 5099

Re: Question!

I started with All painted in 1980. was slow to go to vinyl but did. I never let my layouts become cookie cutter. For many years we mixed handpainted with vinyl on the same signs to great success. Now at 53 we are still doing a good bit of hand work. Folks are coming back for repaints and just plain...
by Bob Sauls
Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Grad Images Super Graphics
Replies: 8
Views: 7039

Re: Grad Images Super Graphics

Thanks for the advice. Where would one find such additives?
by Bob Sauls
Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:45 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Grad Images Super Graphics
Replies: 8
Views: 7039

Re: Grad Images Super Graphics

Yes it is a latex paint. I chose the satin finish.
I would like a recommendation on a flat oil based paint for this type of work. Years ago Ben Moore
Had a product called Saniflat but I am not sure if it is still available.
by Bob Sauls
Sun Jun 09, 2013 3:08 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New to sign painting
Replies: 4
Views: 4306

Re: New to sign painting

Those sheets are very good. You'll be moving on to those curves next then Drawing out your Egyptian alphabet.
You are doing it the right way.
by Bob Sauls
Sat Jun 08, 2013 7:52 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Grad Images Super Graphics
Replies: 8
Views: 7039

Grad Images Super Graphics

Here are some shots of a job I have been working on over the last few weeks. All of the concepts were created by a local Ad firm. We took their photoshopped comps and did what it takes. All but the Inspirational quotations in the last photo are hand painted from pounce patterns, the Graduate silouet...
by Bob Sauls
Tue May 21, 2013 9:04 am
Forum: Annoucements
Topic: Tornado through Moore, OK
Replies: 14
Views: 17719

Re: Tornado through Moore, OK

Mike, I am delighted to here that your mother is safe. I will be sending prayers for the good folks in Okahoma.
by Bob Sauls
Thu Apr 18, 2013 9:32 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: first alphabet
Replies: 17
Views: 13071

Re: first alphabet

Brian, 1 stroke really isn't just one stroke, especially with a blocked letter like Egyptian. You are correct an O is two strokes a left and a right. I would not say that a single stroke O is impossible to do but it would be awkward because of the extreme twirl you would have to master. My thumb isn...
by Bob Sauls
Tue Apr 16, 2013 9:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: first alphabet
Replies: 17
Views: 13071

Re: first alphabet

Brian, If I may be so bold. You are about to make the same mistake that I made about 35 years ago. I would strongly suggest you look at the exercise that is on The Letterheads website: It is a chart of the basic strokes for 1 stroke lettering. I have wrestled with letter control my entire career bec...
by Bob Sauls
Sun Mar 03, 2013 2:13 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: St. George Lighthouse Project.
Replies: 8
Views: 6207

Re: St. George Lighthouse Project.

Joe,
Bama will be a hoot. If you can bring an extra knife like you've sent, I'd buy it from you there. I will return your videos and bring you a dvd version too.
by Bob Sauls
Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:07 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: St. George Lighthouse Project.
Replies: 8
Views: 6207

Re: St. George Lighthouse Project.

I do see the edit button now Danny. Thanks for the help. :idea:
by Bob Sauls
Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: St. George Lighthouse Project.
Replies: 8
Views: 6207

Re: St. George Lighthouse Project.

Thanks, Tim. Sorry I misspelled your name Joe. This forum will not let me edit my post.
by Bob Sauls
Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:25 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: St. George Lighthouse Project.
Replies: 8
Views: 6207

St. George Lighthouse Project.

Over the last 2 months I have been working through this project. I've learned many things on the forums from the likes of Joe Cieslowski, Dave Correll and others too many to mention. Carving, glazing, how to use latex coatings for sign applications came into play on the project. I thank them. For a ...
by Bob Sauls
Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Ronan's vinyl Coat for exterior banner?
Replies: 6
Views: 5540

Re: Ronan's vinyl Coat for exterior banner?

Thanks for the info gang. Still awaiting a response from the prospect.
by Bob Sauls
Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:46 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Ronan's vinyl Coat for exterior banner?
Replies: 6
Views: 5540

Re: Ronan's vinyl Coat for exterior banner?

That's OK Mike,
I have posted the same question at Letterville and Creativesignmakers forums. Many have had excellent adhesion with
with latex paint to vinyl banners and awnings. I shall do a test first. and not look back.

I am so glad we have these forums, It is a resource our predecessors lacked.
by Bob Sauls
Sun Jan 06, 2013 5:53 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Ronan's vinyl Coat for exterior banner?
Replies: 6
Views: 5540

Ronan's vinyl Coat for exterior banner?

I am giving a bid for a heavy duty vinyl banner that will be stretched to the side of an excursion boat's railings. Tough Florida sun. The client wants the banner to match the color of a sail on his other vessel. I have had excellent luck with Ronan's Vinyl Coat on differing surfaces. I was wonderin...