The writing is on the wall - advice please

[Sir Dryden]

Hi to all,

I worked with vinyl plotters for a long time, and the possibilities for stencils on paintmask are endless. Just draw or write anything you want in Illustrator or another vector software and plot it. Next step is applying said stencils on your wall (paintmask has sticky backing) and add paint. Great thing is you can make additional stencils for drop shadows, other colors, etc. A vinyl plotter can be hard to find though, and the process can rapidly become expensive, but considering how great your buildings look, it might be a sound investment.

Also, I know Woodland Scenics sell dry transfers designed specifically for that purpose, but from what I've seen they're clearly designed to be used in a late forties, early fifties settings (some of them would be great for Atomic Cafe). I'm sure some other company offers a more historically appropriate product, especially in Europe.
 
Yours truly,

Sir Dryden 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Woodland Scenics has a very extensive line of decals for just what you are wanting to do. They are available at most hobby supply stores or sites and are relatively inexpensive. Then there is the fact that they are period type signs that should fit in with your victorian theme pretty well.

[Brandlin]

the problem with transfers, dry or otherwise, is not only that they are trick to apply to a textured surface but also that if that texture is deep, then when you look perpedicularly at them the letters will look stretched an compressed in places where the letters wrap around the texture.

The best way to do it is airbrushed or dabbed through a stencil. I've vut larger lettered stencils by hand with a lot of success (and a v sharp knife), but its tricky.

I think these days I would have the stencil laser cut from card or say 0.5mm styrene sheet. its not the cheapest but there are a few people that could maybe help you out.

i'd recommend fenris games - have been exceedingly helpful to me, but clearly they need to make money and there are minimum volumes etc

http://www.fenrisgames.com/
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Fenris-Games

[former user]

I know it sounds like a chore, but if You can't get stencils, do Your own un sticky foil or broad tape.
I think it would fit the brickwork best - You can even dry brush it on so it looks weathered.

a more complicated way (if You don't feel up to cutting out letters) would be to buy sticky letters in a hobby shop, arrange them how You need on the wall, mask all thinly with Maskol, pull the letters off and then You have Your one way stencil

[OSHIROmodels]

Just paint it you lazy bugger 

cheers

James

[Cory]

If you stencil, one item of caution - the 3d effect of the brickwork can lead to fuzzy edges if the paint is dabbed on. This is a job where an airbrush really stands out.

[fantail]

These two articles on the Military Modelling magazine website might come in handy, esp part two.
http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article.asp?a=4083#
http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article.asp?a=4084
Hope it helps.

[Thunderchicken]

Thanks chaps. More than helpful as usual. Watch this space  .

Jimbib and JB, I've tried freehand and the result was amusingly bad. Thinkng about it perhaps a tot or two of rum would steady the hand....

[gamer Mac]

Would a rubber stamp not work better.
Don't know where you would get a suitable one though.

[Thunderchicken]

I thought on those lines and they had kits for making stamps in Hobbycraft - £18 though!

[former user]

Would a rubber stamp not work better.

this is an amazing idea !!

I guess some thicker rubber sheet could be easily cut into a set of simple letters and then glued to a support

can rearrange the writing anytime!

[Svennn]

You can get rubber stamps made quite cheaply if you go to a flexographic plate maker. Until recently I worked in this industry and have had dozens made over the years.

The design would only hit the raised bricks whereas the real thing does appear on the mortar too so I don't think it would work properly - give an interesting effect but not the required one.

[gamer Mac]

Looking at the picture again you can see the mortar is not painted?
Or are my eyes knackered?

[Svennn]

I didnt look at his picture, I just went from memory and the ones I looked at whilst dragged out with the missus earlier  (wanted an embarrassed icon)

I can confirm that my eyes are knackered though

[Westfalia Chris]

I'd guess "filling out" the areas the stamp "missed" would still be easier than a full-blown freehand, and should even be managable by our amusingly clumsy thread opener...

Barring stenciling, I guess the rubber stamp suggestion is the best option offered so far.