lettering

[Scooch]

OK, here's a question.  How does everyone do lettering or numbering on glass?

I use a stencil and trace the letter onto the glass using a fine sharpy.  I then, very carefully, paint inside the lines.  The paint seems to not like sticking to the glass where the sharpy is as much so this helps.  I then let the glass dry and then bake it.  I use Pebeo paint.

This process turns out nice.  I was just wondering if someone had a simpler way of doing this.

[Kev]

I paint the piece, fire it, apply a mask, then sandblast and re fire.  I have also done it your way as well.

[Alan]

OK, here's a question.  How does everyone do lettering or numbering on glass?

I let someone else do lettering and numbers when it comes to glass - other mediums I will do, but not glass.

[Tre V]

I sandblasted mine, but of course then it isn't quite as visible as if it were painted, or painted and fired. I used Rapid Resizer to make a stencil the size I wanted. It was the first time I'd tried sandblasting. It wasn't layered or sculpted, but it also wasn't difficult.

[Judy K]

Very, very nice work Tre!

I paint and fire mine, but I also started with Peebo.

One trick I use if you can not see through the glass to trace over your letters, is to put tape above and below the area you want to paint in. Place it 1/8th inch higher and lower than your letters will be so the paint does not blead along the edges of the tape. Now tape the exact paper copy of the letters above the area and it gives you a great guide for letter width and spacing.

[Kev]

Good idea Judy. You can also use red tracing paper to trace the letters as well into the paint.

Edited: oops..I originally said graphite which I believe is black tracing paper.

[TodB]

Kev's red graphite paper (fabric & craft shops) trick is closer to what I understand is a traditional method for getting black letters on glass you cannot see thru. Here it is:

Matt the whole area with some gum in the paint so it has firmness but is not real brittle. Trace your wording pattern onto regular tracing paper. It's possible that this can be done just using your pattern paper - I've only done this twice and used tracing paper both times.
Rub the backside of the tracing paper with white chalk. Flip it over, locate and secure it where the letters need to be and trace the lettering. The chalk works like the graphite, transfering the outlines to the matt.

Then, you scratch out the unwanted matt using your artistic and creative eye to make it pretty! The chalk does not seem to affect the paint at all. - Tod

[Rebecca]

Good to know, Tod.  If I only could remember it when I need it.

Rebecca

[Kev]

Tod...is the chalk used on regular black graphite paper? Does the chalk fill in the space where the graphite originally transferred onto the paper with the first tracing of the letters onto paper, leaving a void on the tracing paper, so that when traced a 2nd time it leaves a white tracing from the chalk?

[Rebecca]

Kev, the chalk is just on regular paper.  It leaves the chalk on the paint where you trace.

Rebecca

[Kev]

OHHHHHHHHH.....I was wondering why you would do that to tracing paper..duh!!!!!!!!!!

[Judy K]

Wow! Great idea!

[Rebecca]

I'm gonna TELL!  Dick mentioned this to us last year.  (I forgot it, too, until Tod just brought it up.)

Rebecca

[TodB]

Glad I could help... not exactly rocket surgery, but the more ideas you can cull through, the better your chances of finding the best solution for the situation at hand. Plus, it's fun to see and have so many otions! - Tod

PS: Now, if only we could have all the time we need!

[Scooch]

What is the best type of paint to use for this and what is the gum that is added to the paint.

[Rebecca]

Oh, Scooch, I'm sorry we lost you!  We have been talking about traditional glass paint and gum arabic that is used with it.  You can get it from Reusche  http://www.reuscheco.com/ or your local stained glass shop can order it for you.  It has to be fired.

Rebecca

[Scooch]

Oh, Scooch, I'm sorry we lost you!  We have been talking about traditional glass paint and gum arabic that is used with it.  You can get it from Reusche  http://www.reuscheco.com/ or your local stained glass shop can order it for you.  It has to be fired.

Rebecca

Thank you.  I did get lost a little.  As for being fired, not a problem.  I've been fired many times.  Never seemed to be a problem before. 
 

[Rebecca]

After the third or forth time being fired, it doesn't bother you a bit!  Just another day.

Rebecca

[annabelle]

OK....here is what I do.....I buy a package of  self stick clear matte paper, or the material that you buy to make your own stickers...it just needs to be clear and self adhesive...The brand Hobby Lobby carries is Design-ables.....I size my lettering in Paint (this works better for me than Rapid Resizer, because it is small, usually)....print it onto regular paper to make sure the size is right, then copy it onto the sticker paper.  I cut the template out to fit my area, and hand engrave over the template.  My engraver goes through the medium.  I can engrave just on the surface, or go as deep as the glass will let me.....Sometimes, I have to go back and color the engraving, and I use either liquid metal colors, or acrylic paint...does not have to be fired, and looks good....  annabelle