Lettering

[Dallas]

Can anyone give me an idea where to find a good font to cut? I see all these neat saying but just now sure how to do it. I know it cant be that hard.

Thanks for any advice

[Woodbutcher68]

I use the fonts in MS Word and PrintShop Deluxe. In the PrintShop format, I can print out just the outline by using the "coloring book" feature.

[jttheclockman]

Check your computer there are many fonts in Word program and just do a google search you will find them also.

[CanadianScroller]

There are several good fonts for scrolling. I like to use one that is a brass stencil from Plaid Products. It is called Jazz. I got mine at WalMart.

I like it because you only drill one hole per letter.

If you have a word processor or desktop publishing program which will allow you to kern fonts (adjust the spacing between letters) you can do some great text work by printing out your own patterns.
You can identify the font you are looking for with this great site Identifont
While you are at the Identifont site, you can look for symbols or pictures which are stored as fonts. Also great for scrolling patterns.

[Clem Wixted]

Hi Carl,

Is that font name Jazz or Jive?

Clem

[GrayBeard Phil]

Dallas:

Just my $0.02.

Your computer may have come with free software like MS Works, or something. Usually, there is a menu bar across the top, and if you select Tools, a selection window opens and you can select Fonts or something similar.

When the Fonts window opens, look for the checkbox for Outline. Click on the various options which allows you to select the way the font prints out. Sometimes, you have to select the words, change the font color to have a dark shape outline, and then change the 'fill' color to white.

The problem is this, there are three types of lettering:
1- free standing. No backing board, but the letters are attached to each other by glue or cut that way.
2- Bold, but glued to a backing board, like most street address. This allows the letters spacing with a word to look more normal.
3- Recessed, negitive lettering. A solid wood, and the lettering is removed. Usually very dramitic, but looks bad on a wall.

(There is a 4th, but we won't go into stencil fonts)

You could also google for free fonts. But expect to spend a long Saturday afternoon searching thru all the hits you will get.

BTW: there is a whole lot of words that come from the printing business like Kerning the Font as previously mentioned. Don't let the lingo get under your skin. It is just trade talk that expresses how the letters relate to each other, how the words relate to each other, and how the paragraphs relate to each other as physically displayed on the page.

Phil

[PiALaModem]

Originally Posted by GrayBeard Phil

The problem is this, there are three types of lettering:
1- free standing. No backing board, but the letters are attached to each other by glue or cut that way.
2- Bold, but glued to a backing board, like most street address. This allows the letters spacing with a word to look more normal.
3- Recessed, negitive lettering. A solid wood, and the lettering is removed. Usually very dramitic, but looks bad on a wall.

Don't forget my fave, bevel-cut raised (or recessed) lettering. No need for stencil-style connections to interior spaces or for gluing back little pieces to a backer.

[CanadianScroller]

Hi Clem, Plaid calls it Jazz, but I think that is because the Jive font name is taken.
I know so is Jazz but there you go.

Originally Posted by Clem Wixted

Hi Carl,

Is that font name Jazz or Jive?

Clem

[Dallas]

You folks are always great with help. I appreciate that. I will try some searhs on the internet and see what I come up with. Watch for pics soon

[CanadianScroller]

Originally Posted by Clem Wixted

Hi Carl,

Is that font name Jazz or Jive?

Clem

Well I was so wrong The font is JIVE not JAZZ.
And this is my public apology.