I’m looking for decals or dry transfers for a font that looks like this:
I’ve looked at the usual sources (Microscale, Woodland Scenics, Walthers) and came up empty. Microscale came close, but had the major strike of only coming in white. I’m looking for black. And 1/4th inch tall.
I’d rather not have to end up trying to make my own, but if I have to have to.
x
If you can find the correct style and size as dry transfers, any colour can be used, although it involves a little more work. Simply paint the background the colour which you wish the lettering to be. Allow the paint to fully cure, then apply the lettering as you normally would but do not burnish the letters once they’re in place. Next, paint the area using whatever colour you wish the background to be. As soon as it’s dry to the touch, use bits of regular masking tape to dab at the applied dry transfers - they should lift-off fairly easily, either as one piece or in bits. The thin lines will be hardest to remove. Particularly stubborn areas sometimes require the judicious use of the tip of a #11 blade. Use a brush to touch-up the paint as required.
EDIT: While we no longer need to click on the area below a photo to get an enlargement, clicking on each photo will yield an enlarged version. For some photos, clicking on the enlargement will give an even larger image. [swg]
Here’s a loco cab lettered in this manner:
…in progress:
…and finished:
I also did about 70 diesels like this one, using the same technique:
…and it also works well on structures:
Wayne
Still learning the quirks of the new Forum: if you don’t check the “email me replies to this post” box whilst composing, you can’t subscribe to this discussion elsewhere, and have to make another post in order to do so.
Wayne
Never found anything in any color that came close to that typeface. Suppose I’ll have to give it a shot with printing my own. I’d bet custom decals for just one building’s sign would be cost-prohibitive.
Back in the old days before everything was done with computers and printers, I used to use special dry transfer lettering made for graphics-- and I have saved some old catalogs with hundreds of type faces.
NOT made for model railroading specifically but for graphic art production.
Manufacturers of the stuff…
artype, Crystal Lake, Ill. catalog copyright 1966-1967.
Prestype Inc. 136 West 21 Street, New York City 10011, catalog copyright 1966.
FORMATT “modern multi-use acetate graphic art aids” Graphics Products Corp, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008. catalog copyright 1966.
Good grief, I have had these in my research materials a long time!
I don’t know if any of these companies or products still exist.