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Making Signs

Mike has an unusual question for readers:

"What is a good font size to make names on buildings and signs for your layout? I have some Hobby Cal item # 7 inkjet water-slide decal paper I have purchased and want to try it out. Thanks for any ideas I can get."

Add your comments below.

2 Responses to Making Signs

  • Geof says:

    Mike,

    I would imagine any size (within reason) would work but your scale would be the determining factor. I’d print out the same word or phrase (like ‘freight office’) over and over above one another using different font sizes to act as a reference sheet (almost like the eye chart in the optician’s office). I’d try 8 pt to 24 pt since the smallest font your word processor may allow is probably around 8 pt.

    Take the printout and place it next to your structure and move it up and down so you can see how each font looks. Also, different font styles will impact how your signs look so keep in mind the time period you are modeling.

    Finally, look around at signs in your neighborhood or downtown areas and try to estimate how big the letters actually are and then convert that number into your scale counterpart.

    Hope this helps,

    Geof

  • mr fix it says:

    Hi, Ron here,
    One idea is to take digital pictures of real signs and after adding to my computer photos, select and reduce the signs, in one caes to 1×1.5inch for an over the door sign, and print them out on photo paper, Printing on photo paper looks good and glueing will not leak through. You can take several signs and print them out on one sheet of 4×6 photo paper which keeps the cost and waste down.

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