How to use a computer to make transfer letters and graphics for signs

Use your computer printer and plain paper to print out transfer stencils for use in painting your own signs. This is also a fun project for kids to do as this technique can be used for many applications.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Printer
• Graphics pictures and choice of font
• Sign board
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Pencil
• Rubbing Tool
• clean-up supplies

1. Graphics printed out and taped to the sign board Choose your graphics and the font style you like.
   
   For this project, I used a flexible piece of aluminium spray painted a basic white with Rustoleum paint then I used black and white line drawings that were printed out and paired with Black Adder font to give it a fun touch and used acylic water based paints with a protective coating of polyurethane once sign was completed.
2. Even young people can help with this project After choosing your graphics and font style, you may need to enlarge or reduce your graphics and lettering to fit the space and remember to reverse the lettering (print it backwards) so when it it transferred to the sign board it will face the appropriate direction needed to be readable.
   
   My lettering was enlarged, reversed and printed in sections in order to make it large enough for the sign board. Simply put it into a photo program and flip or reverse the image and lettering before printing.
   
   Print it on plain computer paper.
3. Rubbing the transfer Place your design face down on your sign board and tape in place once you have everything placed where you want it.
4. Results of the rubbing Use a pencil or a rubbing tool to rub over the back side of the paper to imprint the image on your sign board. In this case I used the opposite end of a large wooden paintbrush.
   
   It is important to do the rubbing as soon as possible after printing your graphics and lettering as the ink on the paper will be not quite dry and will transfer better. Trace over all lettering, using a heavy rubbing pressure and periodically check your progress to be sure you are pressing hard enough to transfer the ink from the paper to the sign board.
5. Painting over the transfer This picture shows the result of the rubbing of the ink onto the sign board and what the lettering looks like when printed backwards on your paper. By making sure you use just plain computer paper, you will be assured that you will be able to easily see through the paper to the black ink printed on the other side, making it easier to know where you are rubbing.
   
   Once you are done rubbing, simply peel off the paper and begin painting.
6. This step shows the painting of the lettering once all the transfering is done. If the transfer is light in some places, simply retrace your transfer on the sign board with pencil to be able to see it more easily.
7. This is the reverse side of the same sign. All graphics and lettering were done in the same way and simply painted, in this case I used bright colors for a day care sign.

Tips & Warnings

• If your sign is going to be used outside, you will need to protect it with a clear coat of some kind (spray poly works well) to keep the weather from peeling your paint.