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
Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Damar embosing
Replies: 18
Views: 15944

Re: Damar embosing

Looks nice from here. I prefer water over Damar as it seems to shine through better.
by Kent Smith
Sat Sep 09, 2017 9:32 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bon Ami Cake - homemade formula
Replies: 2
Views: 4313

Re: Bon Ami Cake - homemade formula

in 2011, Faultless produced about 1800 cakes to celebrate their 125th Anniversary. Watch for these on Ebay and the like as they are original formula and as good as the originals. Hopefully there will be enough demand to encourage them to make more.
by Kent Smith
Sat Sep 09, 2017 9:23 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Trying to figure out this glass process
Replies: 6
Views: 6683

Re: Trying to figure out this glass process

A bit more trivia to tie into Pat's information. Although railroad related blasted glass would usually be attributed to Western Sandblast Company in Chicago, Cincinnati Sand Blast Company was know for architectural work in addition to their beer advertising signs. The letter style and lack of perfec...
by Kent Smith
Sat Feb 20, 2016 4:32 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Damar embosing
Replies: 18
Views: 15944

Re: Damar embosing

Sennelier seems to be similar to the thick Grumbacher we used to get. Mix with synthetic oil painting medium and test. It should work for you. The idea is to use this thick substance so that the tooling patterns stay and don't disappear as thinner varnishes would flow out smooth.
by Kent Smith
Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:15 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Advice on brushes
Replies: 8
Views: 8202

Re: Advice on brushes

Looks good. Textures are always difficult to overcome and should be considered when pricing a project.
by Kent Smith
Sun Jan 03, 2016 1:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Advice on brushes
Replies: 8
Views: 8202

Re: Advice on brushes

Angular soft fitch.
by Kent Smith
Sun Jan 03, 2016 1:09 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lettering on cloth
Replies: 5
Views: 6268

Re: Lettering on cloth

A few thinned coats of ti-cote will seal the fabric, applied with an airbrush is best. Of course airbrushing the lettering is a good option too.
by Kent Smith
Sun Jan 03, 2016 1:05 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Black Lion Pub London
Replies: 1
Views: 2918

Re: Black Lion Pub London

I have written a few articles on how sad this situation is. Some would restore an antique chair but have no knowledge of the value of an antique sign both historically and for the image of their business. I have refused to modernize some signs in the past and educated the customer on why. Other sign...
by Kent Smith
Sun Nov 15, 2015 11:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Gold Leaf Workshop
Replies: 0
Views: 8761

Gold Leaf Workshop

Just a quick reminder that the registration deadline for my Gold Leaf Techniques workshop Jan 9-10 in my shop is Dec 10. Send me a message if you do not have the flyer. Also the Letterheads special price for the two DVD video instruction set ends Dec 31.
by Kent Smith
Tue Aug 18, 2015 11:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Gold leaf on copper
Replies: 6
Views: 5815

Re: Gold leaf on copper

Most gold domes as well as church crosses are copper and are gilded to minimize the oxidation. Although a good primer such as a pure acrylic is a modern substitute for shellac, most copper is best primed with a good coating of oil slow size. After a week, a second coat can be added upon which to gil...
by Kent Smith
Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:54 pm
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: Letterheads
Replies: 2
Views: 9213

Re: Letterheads

Thanks Danny...too many in the que.
by Kent Smith
Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Letterheads
Replies: 2
Views: 3846

Re: Letterheads

Thanks Danny...too many in the que.
by Kent Smith
Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:48 pm
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: Letterheads
Replies: 2
Views: 9213

Letterheads

Letterheads? Letterheads is a non-organization, with no dues, no officers, and thousands of participants! If you have never been to a LIVE Letterhead Meet you should go … because Letterheads cannot be described … it must be experienced. When Mike Jackson announced the Letterhead Meet in Moore OK (Oc...
by Kent Smith
Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Letterheads
Replies: 2
Views: 3846

Letterheads

Letterheads? Letterheads is a non-organization, with no dues, no officers, and thousands of participants! If you have never been to a LIVE Letterhead Meet you should go … because Letterheads cannot be described … it must be experienced. When Mike Jackson announced the Letterhead Meet in Moore OK (Oc...
by Kent Smith
Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:27 pm
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: Letterheads 40 update
Replies: 1
Views: 8725

Re: Letterheads 40 update

I should have posted this earlier but if you register before the 24th, you will have a change to win a fully loaded sign kit.
by Kent Smith
Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Letterheads 40 update
Replies: 1
Views: 3148

Re: Letterheads 40 update

I should have posted this earlier but if you register before the 24th, you will have a change to win a fully loaded sign kit.
by Kent Smith
Mon May 04, 2015 11:12 pm
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: Letterheads 40 update
Replies: 1
Views: 8725

Letterheads 40 update

Letterheads 40 update: The steering committee is progressing nicely with plans for the Sept. 24-27 meet at the American Sign Museum. If you have not signed up yet, you should do so soon as some of the classes at Letterhead University are over 60% full. The meet is shaping up to be a lot of fun and a...
by Kent Smith
Mon May 04, 2015 11:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Letterheads 40 update
Replies: 1
Views: 3148

Letterheads 40 update

Letterheads 40 update: The steering committee is progressing nicely with plans for the Sept. 24-27 meet at the American Sign Museum. If you have not signed up yet, you should do so soon as some of the classes at Letterhead University are over 60% full. The meet is shaping up to be a lot of fun and a...
by Kent Smith
Fri Mar 06, 2015 8:58 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Basic Instruction Video(DVD)
Replies: 16
Views: 14398

Re: Basic Instruction Video(DVD)

Agreed it is a long "drive". I am sure Mike will be back near you again. You should also get in touch with Erik Winkler since he is closer to you. Mike Stevens died a number of years ago so his video is out of production and was only on VHS originally. No video is a good as working with so...
by Kent Smith
Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:37 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Basic Instruction Video(DVD)
Replies: 16
Views: 14398

Re: Basic Instruction Video(DVD)

The price of education is never small and the value is only related to what you will get out of it and the expectation of what you will do with what you learn. Consider the fact that the current average for College Tuition is over $9000. Trade school tuition hovers at just over $5000 for two years. ...
by Kent Smith
Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:31 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mike Reilley
Replies: 4
Views: 4391

Re: Mike Reilley

Mike passed away on Sun. He was a great champion of keeping the craft alive and instrumental in hosting both the 1985 and 1995 meets in Denver. He will be missed by all who knew him.
by Kent Smith
Tue Mar 04, 2014 11:10 am
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: California Conclave 2014!
Replies: 15
Views: 15677

Re: California Conclave 2014!

It does not seem like it has almost been 30 years. Good to see the photos but sure miss seeing everyone. Maybe we will be able to travel again soon. Keep posting.
by Kent Smith
Tue Mar 04, 2014 11:10 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: California Conclave 2014!
Replies: 15
Views: 16210

Re: California Conclave 2014!

It does not seem like it has almost been 30 years. Good to see the photos but sure miss seeing everyone. Maybe we will be able to travel again soon. Keep posting.
by Kent Smith
Fri Feb 07, 2014 11:18 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Quiz
Replies: 12
Views: 9793

Re: Quiz

I believe that vertical work was done before anyone considered the practicality of removing or substituting the glass. While it can be done using newsprint you have less control and it is so much better to make adjustments in the shop or start over for that matter. I have also found vertical work to...
by Kent Smith
Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:05 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: In Memoriam - Starr Bright
Replies: 8
Views: 8441

Re: In Memoriam - Starr Bright

Only spoke to her on the phone a number of times. Too young. Sad.
by Kent Smith
Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lettering Practice help.
Replies: 4
Views: 5280

Re: Lettering Practice help.

I still have my 1948/15th Edition with those pages being 58 and 59 and with the Spurred brush stroke gothic (page 57), that is what I practiced the most.
by Kent Smith
Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Very interesting ebay find
Replies: 11
Views: 10055

Re: Very interesting ebay find

interesting indeed...
by Kent Smith
Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:40 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Yard Stick font
Replies: 6
Views: 6274

Re: Yard Stick font

The thick and thin characteristics of the stroke also contribute greatly to the style and legibility.
by Kent Smith
Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:52 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Gold Leaf Starter Kit :mrgreen:
Replies: 15
Views: 11021

Re: Gold Leaf Starter Kit :mrgreen:

The book has a list of needed items, feel free to email me for some ideas to convert to available materials.
by Kent Smith
Sat Nov 30, 2013 10:59 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: DENVER AREA SIGN PAINTERS!!!!
Replies: 4
Views: 3878

Re: DENVER AREA SIGN PAINTERS!!!!

Welcome and let me know if I can help, though I am in Estes Park.