Help with lettering

[aj43]

I don't scroll letters very often so this is an area pretty much beyond my expertise. I would like to know:

1) are there scroll fonts available (free) anywhere?

2) are there any good lessons out there on techniques (books, you tubes, blogs, websites) ?

3) do you have a favorite font? source?

At present I just try to print and resize any text using a font from my Word app.

Many thanks in advance,

-aj

[OCtoolguy]

There are tons of scrollable fonts dafonts.com. This subject has been talked about before here so maybe try the search function. I never can find what I search for but you might have more luck.

[Foxfold]

There are loads of 'free' fonts around the internet.  My personal favourite is 'Birds of Paradise.  Travis has an excellent video about making a word pattern and the techniques he uses are really useful such as 'kerning' and 'making bridges' 

 

[JustLarry]

Check this post by Inar20.  https://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forums/topic/37094-online-tool-convert-any-font-to-scrollsaw/

Larry

[aj43]

Thanks Foxfold for the information on using Inkscape. I'll have to look into that further.

[JustLarry]

 These fonts are scroll ready:  

Here is link to Wood Art font. 

http://www.otbpatterns.com/free-scroll-saw-patterns.php

Edited January 31, 2020 by JustLarry

[aj43]

JustLarry,

 

I downloaded the two fonts in the link to Word Art font.

How do I find and download the 6 fonts above that you said are scroll ready?                       

Thanks,

-aj43

[JustLarry]

Scrollsoni    ScrollBD.ttf    posted by Jim Ern 9/12/18  https://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forums/topic/25696-scrollsoni-font/

Stencil Gothic   https://www.dafont.com/stencil-gothic-be.font

Stencilla-Bold  https://www.dafont.com/stencilia.font

I do not recall where I downloaded Scroll_ScriptMT and  Scroll_Calligraphy.  They may come from one of the programs Steve Good has at http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/

Larry

[aj43]

Larry,  thanks.

-aj43

[Puzzleguy]

many many years ago ( sounds like a kids story book ) i bought a book by " Veritas : titled " Lettering for woodworkers - a Craftsman's guide to design , Layout

and Technique " it was not cheap -think it was 25-30 bucks back then - but ive used it many times - i even did some lettering for a few small businesses

using this book  - and have enlarged a few times some of the lettering at a local copy center - it has paid for itself time and time again -

Im betting you can get some of this online free - but it is a great thing to fall back on -

Edited February 1, 2020 by Puzzleguy

[Fedido]

AJ,

As you see, there are a lot of sources for patterns. Like you, I have used word. In fact, this weekend, I started using my wife's crickcut for lettering. My advice on cutting letters is to take your time, go slow and try cutting it all on one cut. This eliminates blade lines from multiple cuts and easier for sanding. There at times you will have to make multiple cuts though. Another technique is for really tight turns, I cut to the edge, then back up about 1/16th of an inch, then start the curve. I then go back and remove any pieces that remained near the corner. I hope this helps as I might have missed the intent of the question (which is common with me). It is how I have found the best to cut letters. 

 

Hendo

[munzieb]

I've done a fair amount of text and stencils are the easiest to modify and cut. I've also done lots of script, which is the most delicate. I've learned to cut the most delicate areas first, especially letters like a,e,o, p,g,b,d,4,6,8,8,9,0 pretty much, anything with an enclosed loop. Always cut the inside portion of the loop first and then the outside. If possible, reinsert and tape the cutouts back in. It will h old the fragile pieces in place and make the sanding of the back easier. The posted pictures shows how I modified the original "English 157" font. I print the font bold and as large as possible for the project. The loops on the "C" are minimized and added bridges for the loop letters and cut the weakest parts first starting at the inside. I also shortened the bottom "tails" of the letters. Sometimes I will modify "on the fly" by marking bridges with a pencil and cut to the lines. If you want to bring the text back to original, just paint in the bridges with the matching color. Hope this helps.