Painting Small Letters

[Bonecross]

If you apply liberal amounts of paint to the lettering depressions then wipe the excess away with a square sponge or towel on a block, it leaves paint in the depression. Similar to applying antiquing paste.

[JerseyFirefighter]

3 hours ago, Bonecross said:

If you apply liberal amounts of paint to the lettering depressions then wipe the excess away with a square sponge or towel on a block, it leaves paint in the depression. Similar to applying antiquing paste.

That would not work with outlining paint. It works with dyeing and leaving darker outlines. As you wipe away flexible acrylic it smears everywhere and absorbs near instantly into the fibers of the leather. The only luck I have had personally with removing paint on leather is to wipe clean with a wet paper towel in the event of a big *oops* where the point would be to wipe the paint clean. The OP was looking on the best ways to fill in the letters without leaking into the embossment (outlines) of the letters. 

I'd say i've painted somewhere between 10-20k characters in the past few years.. Repetition will always create a better technique. My biggest pain has always been air bubbles. A good propane torch also cures those woes as well. 

[matthewb137]

Haven't had a run-in with air bubbles yet. My current technique is to just dab quite a bit into the bigger parts of the letters, then drag that paint I dabbed to other parts of the letter. It's worked well so far. But of course I usually end up getting it into the outline here and there. It's fine if it's a tiny bit, I just let it dry and use a scratch awl to get it off. But if it's a bigger smear, I learned the hard way that pretty much ruins the project... oops. 

[retiredff]

On 7/27/2017 at 3:42 PM, JerseyFirefighter said:

Ebay. some bottles come with needle tips... I have found that buying bottles that have removeable tips are best. Buy a few assorted needle tip sizes too. Use 1/2" long needles. 1" put your wrist in a weird position to paint. 

like these?   http://www.ebay.com/itm/BCP-10pcs-30ml-Needle-Tip-Glue-applicator-Dropper-Bottles-for-DIY-Handmade-Paper-/122592906282?epid=2123087205&hash=item1c8b1b4c2a:g:kCAAAOSw-ldZZIRX

I don't understand how you paint with a needle...

I have tried ultra fine point sharpies with some success.

 

Edited September 10, 2017 by retiredff

[matthewb137]

57 minutes ago, retiredff said:

like these?   http://www.ebay.com/itm/BCP-10pcs-30ml-Needle-Tip-Glue-applicator-Dropper-Bottles-for-DIY-Handmade-Paper-/122592906282?epid=2123087205&hash=item1c8b1b4c2a:g:kCAAAOSw-ldZZIRX

I don't understand how you paint with a needle...

I have tried ultra fine point sharpies with some success.

 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/6-NEEDLE-TIP-APPLICATOR-BOTTLES-4-MICRO-TIP-SET-Great-For-Henna-/192032880342?epid=1331380619&hash=item2cb60d36d6%3Ag%3A-g0AAOSw44BYMfdf&_trkparms=pageci%3Ab5a34e44-9683-11e7-ae47-74dbd180c0ce%7Cparentrq%3A6e3965d115e0ab4d6d3827b8ffeabc13%7Ciid%3A12

I ended up buying these. Absolutely buy these ASAP. They're like a dream. Trust me. The IV Catheters I used off the ambulance didn't come close to these. 

[retiredff]

OK, I'll take your word for them. I just ordered some. Any tips for using them?

 

Thanks

 

Tony

 

[matthewb137]

When you get them, cut 4 of the tips down about 1/2 an inch. Screw the 4 micro tips over the top. You're going to get a bunch of little metal rods, I'm almost positive you use those to clean out the tips. Or you throw them in the tips to keep the paint from drying out. Haven't used those rods yet so don't quote me on that. Just pour a little bit of paint in the bottle. Give it just a light, consistent squeeze and you're good to go. Just try not to let it sit in one spot once you squeeze it, keep it moving or else it'll spread in that spot. Use the smallest tip for 1/4 inch letters. 

[retiredff]

OK, thanks Matt.

 

 

[JerseyFirefighter]

3 hours ago, retiredff said:

like these?   http://www.ebay.com/itm/BCP-10pcs-30ml-Needle-Tip-Glue-applicator-Dropper-Bottles-for-DIY-Handmade-Paper-/122592906282?epid=2123087205&hash=item1c8b1b4c2a:g:kCAAAOSw-ldZZIRX

I don't understand how you paint with a needle...

I have tried ultra fine point sharpies with some success.

 

I have a few of those. They are a little more difficult to squeeze the bottle and no ability to change needle gauges, but they work. I have a hard time finding the ones I use most regularly, but the tips are still available. How do I paint with a needle bottle?

Like this. 

 

[JerseyFirefighter]

These seem to be it I remember them coming with extra needle sizes, however the colors of the tips are different. I ordered a few to see if those are actually them. You can buy replacement needles relatively cheap in the event your needles clog up on you. You can either clean the needles after each use, or find ways to get the paint to not dry in the needle while not in use. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Needle-Tip-Plastic-Bottle-Dispenser-Oil-Solvent-Ink-Applicator-Dropper-0-7-Oz-/361533543355?