I just came up w/ a cool way to make and fit signs inside my HO storefront windows. First, I went to some of the sign web sites listed on trains.com. Then I copied and pasted vintage signs from these sites in to a “Word” document. Next I modified the size of these cut and pasted signs to what looked to be HO scale, window-sized on my 17" monitor. I printed a few out to test them on a model (in black and white, light ink, as to save on color ink). One came out size-perfect, so I then changed the “Zoom” setting under “View” in Word, until the sign I printed was the same size as the one on the monitor (I held the printed sign up to and over the one on the screen, until they matched up in size). For me, this was 83% zoom. I’m sure the setting will vary, pc to pc, monitor to monitor. With the zoom at 83%, I then held up the unassembled walls to my monitor, modifying the size of each sign to custom-fit the window on the model I wanted to put it in. I then printed out the signs in color for use in storefront windows. I use a metal ruler as a straight edge, and cut the signs w/ an Exacto. Outstanding!!! This works with making scale bilboards, etc, too. Give it a try! Good luck!
Could you please tell me where on trains they are listed or the websites are? I have been doing the same using transparency film.
Sure!
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/000/933naqaa.asp
Or:
http://www.signmuseum.com/exhibits/exhibits.html
http://www.signofthetimesonline.com/
http://www.sweetpeashome.com/Wall_Art/Mus606-619/mus606-619.htm
HEY! HEY! Be darn carefull that you are not pirating any material that has a copyright attached to the work. It is unlawfull to copy, manipulate or electronicaly store material that may be protected by a registered copyright. Just thought you might want to know* - - Take care, guy.
Absolutely! There are a few links on the Model Railroader article that have signs that other people made up themselved, so there are no copyright issues… I wasn’t suggesting anyone violate any copyright laws. - Matt
Another source for signage is old Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. They are filled w/ cool ads and cutting out ads and adhering them to something on your layout certainly isn’t a copyright violation ; ) - Matt
Don’t forget National Geographic magazines! they have some really cool car ads, as well as some railroad ads. Life magazine is also a good source, and Saturday Evening Post… it’s choke full with ads (althoug I don’t like the idea of cutting them out, I’d prefer scanning them)
i also don’t like the idea of cutting them out.(from where is the next generation supposed to learn vintage advertizing techniques firsthand in all their glory?-NOWHERE!)
As long as you don’t sell them, there is nothing to worry about.
John Timm
These signs were made on my computer
Also I copy signs & billboards off ebay (or other places on the web). Go to collectables-advertising or collectables-paper, then search for signs, copy & paste image to a publisher desk top, crop & size for your scale…
N scale 1 inch = 13.3 ft.
HO scale 1 inch = 7.2 ft.
S scale 1 inch = 5.3 ft.
O scale 1 inch = 4 ft.
( HO for me ). then save to a file. Then you can print on paper, cardstock or full sticker page. With full sticker just cut out, trim and stick to a stiff backing or right to a building. With paper or cardstock you can use double sided tape or glue of your choice. If you print on photo paper you get a glossy like metal sign that. You can build the frame for billboards from wood stick matches or scale lumber.
CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE
These signs on the cafe I scanned from a sign catalog.
You can also copy people, Background buildings, interiors, ect.
This is off a postcard found on ebay under collectables/paper/postcards. These are great to use as background buidings.
Thanks for the links![tup] That technique works great for blinds and drapes too. I get most of my photos from the JC Penny’s and Target web sites.
http://mahn0.tripod.com/rss/index.htm
http://www.kurumi.com/roads/signmaker/signmaker.html
http://www.agilitynut.com/signs/1.html
My road sign contribution!
Now. That is amazing.
I do have trouble with settings.
How to “Set” the paintshop or Microsoft Photo Editor etc… to display the final print out in HO scale or close enough?
I use a Samsung Syncmaster 932bw wide screen on a DVI cable and frankly the images are HUMONGUS and am afraid that it will come out all wrong inside the printer.
Well Tim, about cutting peices out of 60+year-old magazines,unlike people, paper’s memory can last forever in mint condition, just keep it out of the sunlite and don’t let it get wet,or let varmints get to it.
Old matchbooks from restaurants, hotels, banks and other businesses are another good source…
If you can still find them in our smoke-free world!
Lee
Why don’t they manufacture those glass and those tin store signs with Coke, or Pepsi, or Dr Pepper,etc written in the corners? The specific business’ name could easily be handmade by the modeler in the blank space. I mean,some of these signs existed in the 50’s, so it’s not like transition-era modelers would be totally left out.
Independent buisnesses also bought standardized signs w/o product ads (such as the yellow and red lubrication signs once found at garages)
Tomkat-13 - those postcards that you found on ebay are by the famed Curt Teich Company of Chicago, and their famous and distinctive cross-hatched texture makes them unsuitable for anything other reference material (not to mention the company used embellishing techniques on them)
If you print them to HO scale,use them on a backdrop, they have enough detail. The hard part is finding a good clear scan from the ebay auction that you can copy. I use MS Publisher to size & crop the image. You can blend the printed images with trees, low-relief buildings ect. My layout is 32" deep and there is plenty of detail & it gives your background some depth. Plus you can’t hardly beat the price!
If you’re using Microsoft Word, click View at the top and select Print Layout. The display will change and show both horizontal and vertical rulers. This will be the scale that prints out. You can measure the size of your windows and then match that against the on-screen rulers.
I use Google to find interesting signs. Go to www.google.com and click on Images at the top. Then enter what you’re looking for. Try “circus posters” or “Uncle Sam wants you.”
I like to print these out on decal paper and put them on fences and the sides of buildings. A couple of nights ago, I went out on the Web in search of signs for “Moxie,” an old soft drink probably better known as a furshlugginer bit of art from MAD Magazine. But, it was real stuff, and I found an ad, modified it a bit to fit my space, and printed out. I’ve got the decals sealed off now, and I’ll be putting them on a wood fence tonight.
Try using the Microsoft Paint program to duplicate and adjust the image sizes.
Doc