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 Nov 30, 2013 10:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sign painting with low temperatures
Replies: 5
Views: 5073

Re: Sign painting with low temperatures

Low temp reducer is specifically made for this purpose, allowing the solvent drying process to accelerate. Having said that, the dryer in the paint will solidify at temperatures below 40 F. and therefore not cure the paint. It may dry but its adhesion is compromised and it will not last. The hardene...
by Kent Smith
Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:01 pm
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: 40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015
Replies: 9
Views: 11120

Re: 40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015

A real Meet!!! We are in. Let us know how we can help.
by Kent Smith
Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:01 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015
Replies: 9
Views: 8667

Re: 40th Annual International Letterheads Las Vegas NV 2015

A real Meet!!! We are in. Let us know how we can help.
by Kent Smith
Sun Nov 03, 2013 11:20 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Oil paints and Enamels
Replies: 3
Views: 3310

Re: Oil paints and Enamels

If the enamel is made with a conventional resin such as alkyd then a qualified yes. Pure artist oil color can be added to enamels. Mix in slowly, adding small amounts at a time. Consider adding complimentary colors for better coverage. Do not add more than 1/2% by voume of additional dryer to the mi...
by Kent Smith
Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:43 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Smaltz vs. Smalts
Replies: 7
Views: 6031

Re: Smaltz vs. Smalts

good luck getting mfg to cooperate.
by Kent Smith
Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:08 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Smaltz vs. Smalts
Replies: 7
Views: 6031

Re: Smaltz vs. Smalts

Truely the word is smalt or smalts. Using a "z" was perhaps a nod to Germanic language or just for fun. In jest, some of us have said in the past that presuming using a "z" has more class, that Smaltz should be for glass and Smalts for sand. Since there are "just us" us...
by Kent Smith
Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:37 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sign painting classes near Philly or Allentown PA?
Replies: 2
Views: 2557

Re: Sign painting classes near Philly or Allentown PA?

Judi's grandparents lived in Glenside so I knew a lot of good sign painters in the area and into Phila and across the river. Most are retired or dead now. Good traditions there though and an old-time shop near the Masonic downtown was still operating 5 or 6 years ago. You may need to do some network...
by Kent Smith
Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:40 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Help needed with pricing hand lettered signs and trucks.
Replies: 3
Views: 3442

Re: Help needed with pricing hand lettered signs and trucks.

Consider the fact that the distinction for sign painters is more a matter of design ability, not the materials used to complete the project. Having said that, one should be paid for the ability to hand letter as well. When you add those together, the finished product is worth more, not less. There i...
by Kent Smith
Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:09 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for good software advice.
Replies: 25
Views: 19641

Re: Looking for good software advice.

My two cents worth, I am still a Gerber Omega user and am very happy with all the tools available, especially in the current 5.0 version. I have rarely needed any other program to complete my tasks and am glad I made the initial investment so many years ago.
by Kent Smith
Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:24 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Black glass
Replies: 12
Views: 9152

Re: Black glass

Nice classic signs Erik. Carrara was a trade name for Vitrolite, also a Libby-Owens Ford trade name if I remember correctly.
by Kent Smith
Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:20 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Advice
Replies: 6
Views: 4893

Re: Advice

While what Joe says can be true and also of shellac, there must be some raw wood to adhere to. Bees Wax is a great repellant and is not effected by many known solvents and cannot be completely removed. I would go with a panel attached where you have control over the coatings.
by Kent Smith
Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:14 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Covering a whole window with 1Shot
Replies: 11
Views: 7952

Re: Covering a whole window with 1Shot

This sounds like a viable option especially if air flow is allowed between the panel and the glass. I also like the idea of the extra depth for the scroll. Thinking on your feet or just plain planning ahead results in a more profitable project.
by Kent Smith
Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Covering a whole window with 1Shot
Replies: 11
Views: 7952

Re: Covering a whole window with 1Shot

Even with white, it is a good idea to leave that 3/4" to 1" edge all around the glass which reduces the risk of craking the glass due to the expansion variant.
by Kent Smith
Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:17 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: antique shop window
Replies: 16
Views: 10825

Re: antique shop window

Nicely done Bob. Thanks for the plug. I like to use technology when I can to expedite the completion and consequential remuneration. Glad to see you mention the coffee and food breaks, it really seems to help keep us from going back to it too soon. I also would prefer to plan well in advance and spe...
by Kent Smith
Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:11 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Black glass
Replies: 12
Views: 9152

Re: Black glass

Nice to see this glass again, I will keep it in mind for future projects.
by Kent Smith
Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:59 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Problem With Water Gilding
Replies: 28
Views: 30521

Re: Problem With Water Gilding

I agree with Erik, especially if they have a local office they will stand behind the product. I am not familiar with Noris but Manetti is a time honored company. I cannot tell the source nor the handling care or carelessness with the Ebay gold. The transfer leaf is a definite problem as the gold ret...
by Kent Smith
Sun Jul 28, 2013 5:52 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Problem With Water Gilding
Replies: 28
Views: 30521

Re: Problem With Water Gilding

So which gold from ebay did you use? Could it have been transfer leaf?
by Kent Smith
Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:40 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Problem With Water Gilding
Replies: 28
Views: 30521

Re: Problem With Water Gilding

I would be more concerned with the leaf itself. What brand, what type of paper is the book and does the leaf appear to have this texture in the book? This texture is most often seen when using patent leaf on glass using water size.
by Kent Smith
Fri Jun 28, 2013 12:07 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New in Signs and questioning !
Replies: 8
Views: 6000

Re: New in Signs and questioning !

We created tinting white and tinting black to go with our color matching system for Pantone simulations. They both have emulsifiers so that they stay in suspension when mixing colors. Regular black and white tend to fall out of the mix. It is true that they tend to be more transparent and consequent...
by Kent Smith
Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:57 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: First Glass Piece Review
Replies: 10
Views: 10407

Re: First Glass Piece Review

Many of the products that are listed in the text are not the same, no longer available or not available in your area. Perhaps Dave can help you find the ones you need.

The overall appearance of this piece is great so I hope you will be able to find materials that will make this work viable and last.
by Kent Smith
Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:49 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Recipe for gold size.
Replies: 1
Views: 2230

Re: Recipe for gold size.

This formula is very old with the Atkinson formula being more "modern" and still not up to current formulary and ingredients. One real issue is that heating linseed oil in this fashion is very dangerous as it will burst into flames at the most unexpected time. There were stories of gilders...
by Kent Smith
Thu May 23, 2013 8:56 am
Forum: Annoucements
Topic: Tornado through Moore, OK
Replies: 14
Views: 17675

Re: Tornado through Moore, OK

So glad to hear your Mom is ok. We flew over the bumpy air that was the storm and have been checking the news. I don't think we know anyone else in Moore but are thinking of them just the same.
by Kent Smith
Thu May 23, 2013 8:47 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Problem With Water Gilding
Replies: 28
Views: 30521

Re: Problem With Water Gilding

I have been getting emails to respond to this post so here are my thoughts. Looking at your photos and description, I see many errors each of which or all of them collectively will result in failure, as indicated by others. Successful gilding requires developing a thoughtful step by step process to ...
by Kent Smith
Sat May 18, 2013 8:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Projectors
Replies: 10
Views: 7330

Re: Projectors

As a matter of historical perspective, the ancient Egyptians were the first to use pounce patterns and I have seen drawings of a pounce wheel used by Michelangelo. Doing your designs in the comfort of your studio and then using any technology to replicate or transfer them to the final surface is sti...
by Kent Smith
Sun May 12, 2013 7:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Yet another newbie.
Replies: 6
Views: 4474

Re: Yet another newbie.

Durasolv was an OTC version of the High Temp and Low Temp reducers we created, now available under the OneShot label.
by Kent Smith
Sun May 12, 2013 7:51 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: chester cunningham.......
Replies: 7
Views: 6092

Re: chester cunningham.......

I found my copy today Lee but not the coat hangers...I am with Ray on price.
by Kent Smith
Sun May 12, 2013 7:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Surface gild failure.......any ideas??
Replies: 5
Views: 4582

Re: Surface gild failure.......any ideas??

The hardener is formulated so nothing is supposed to adhere to it after it cures. Acrylic could add to the issue, what type are you using?
by Kent Smith
Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:15 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sandblasted Letter Gilding
Replies: 12
Views: 8652

Re: Sandblasted Letter Gilding

Clear acrylics work well for this purpose but gold size will not adhere well to the polyurethane. We used to use gold size, quick rubbing varnish or WW window spar, depending upon desired dry time. Any will work and the more orange varnish tended to mitigate the green glass issue. In the 50's though...
by Kent Smith
Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lefranc original gold size.
Replies: 35
Views: 33296

Re: Lefranc original gold size.

Good to hear about Rolco, they were always good to us and hope they can recover soon.
by Kent Smith
Thu Apr 18, 2013 9:14 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lefranc original gold size.
Replies: 35
Views: 33296

Re: Lefranc original gold size.

We had some of the same issues as Danny mentions as did Rolco when Chromatic was selling size. Our resin supplier was wrestling with changing regulations not to mention interpretations of the Fed. inspectors. I have some 50 year old size from both LeFranc and Hastings that still work well so I still...