Micah Report post Posted September 24, 2007 Ok, so I have this guitar strap I'm making for a friend and he has requested I put my signature on it, specifically for it to be part of the strap. I have informed him my autograph looks like total chicken scratch, but he still insists, LOL. I've been brainstorming ideas for doing this... carving it in, burning it in (with a woodburning or soldering iron, or even just a hot needle), painting it on with dye, or writing it on with a permanent marker. My first reaction to any option OTHER than writing it is that it becomes less personal or "valuable" to the owner. I might as well use a rubber stamp like some politicians have done, much to the dislike of the recipients. So, my first question is... are there any long-term ramifications to using a Sharpie? FWIW, the leather at that point would be dyed, but not neatsfooted or sealed. Just wondering about fading and/or discoloring. I didn't notice any bleeding or strange behavior when scribbling on a test piece today. I tried the burning option, but it doesn't look (or smell) so great. Nice effect but hard to control. Think of trying to write with a pencil by holding it at the eraser... while it's on fire, LOL! The painting on with dye option seems to be the safest bet, though it involves a couple extra steps (tracing over the best-looking signature I can write, and transfering it onto the leather, then painting over it), but seems kind of "cold". I also don't want it to look more important or catchy than the other designs that are going on the strap. It's not about me Anyway, please share any thoughts you might have, thx! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-Man Report post Posted September 24, 2007 If you're near a trophy shop with a laser engraver, have them scan your signature and laser it onto the strap. They can put it in a non-obtrusive spot for you, and make it pretty small without losing any detail. I've done sigs of the customer on wallets that way before. Even did a whole guitar strap that was drawn out (literally) by the customer and then laser engraved it all onto the strap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Sheldon Report post Posted September 24, 2007 A possibility: On the damp leather, initial or sign on the leather with a stylus, then use a swivel blade to trace the lines. After that, just dye it. The dye should sink in more at the cuts, darkening it. If you really want it to be visible, you could bevel it lightly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolvenstien Report post Posted September 24, 2007 There is a guy on the board here (dont remember whom, so forgive me) who did a wallet and all the "dying" was done with sharpies.... it was so nice, I went out and bought several sharpies and use them for fine detail work when I am too afraid to get a brush in..... Works great and they come in so many colors.... it is perminant and dont think there would be much fading especially when sealed.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
