Base Title Plates

[lpa53]

I did a search here but came up empty. What home-made name plates for bases do people use? Long ago (I'm just now getting back into the hobby) I used custom metal plates but that got expensive. Then I used parchment card stock and printed my own. I liked that but am having a hard tome finding card stock locally and on line find only reams. What other solutions are used?

 

[DEL]

I did a search here but came up empty. What home-made name plates for bases do people use? Long ago (I'm just now getting back into the hobby) I used custom metal plates but that got expensive. Then I used parchment card stock and printed my own. I liked that but am having a hard tome finding card stock locally and on line find only reams. What other solutions are used?

If you work your way through the Articles SBS forum you should come up with a few.
Here's one I did a while back, I've modified the process since then resulting in a more 'polished' end product.
One thing to consider is the time cost factor, sometimes it is more economic to go to the professionals, but not as much fun.
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/hand-knitted-nameplates.54541/
Cheers
Derek
Here's another from Marta
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/short-sbs-on-preparing-a-plaque.70511/
and finally
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/name-plates-my-way.8

 

[arj]

Many moons ago my method used to be Letraset (very time-consuming and sometimes not particularly successful)
These days I use the computer and print on photo quality paper.
My preferred software is MS Excel, and I find the use of text boxes superimposed on each other very simple for simulating borders etc. Fonts can be chosen to suit the subject.
Any additional items such as motifs can be added as jpgs, and sized to suit.
Once printed and cut to size, the white edge is coloured with a Sharpie felt tip (my predominant edge colour tends to be black).
With all my labels having a similar appearance, I end up with a unified display.
Also, if a label is damaged, it's simplicity itself to print another one.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[lpa53]

Many moons ago my method used to be Letraset (very time-consuming and sometimes not particularly successful)
These days I use the computer and print on photo quality paper. ...

Cheers,
Andrew

What color background do you use? In the past I used parchment paper. I like the look of a black background but the lighter lettering isn't sharp

when using normal paper. Does using photo-quality paper help that. Also do you use matte photo paper? ... and what thickness?

 

[lpa53]

If you work your way through the Articles SBS forum you should come up with a few.
Here's one I did a while back, I've modified the process since then resulting in a more 'polished' end product.
One thing to consider is the time cost factor, sometimes it is more economic to go to the professionals, but not as much fun.
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/hand-knitted-nameplates.54541/ ...
Cheers
Derek

Wow, those labels you made were great. Since I'm just getting back into the hobby and not even sure I can still paint, I'll stick to something simple for now!

 

[arj]

What color background do you use? In the past I used parchment paper. I like the look of a black background but the lighter lettering isn't sharp when using normal paper. Does using photo-quality paper help that. Also do you use matte photo paper?

My main background is black with white lettering. A Bold font tends to be better than the basic one.
My photo paper is glossy and gives very satisfactory results (for me anyway).
I often check out how the label looks by printing it on ordinary paper before doing the final print, and I agree that the general look might appear poor.
The final print on photo paper is much sharper and brighter.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[arj]

Following on from my posts above, it's always better to have a picture instead of a load of words.
Here's one of my labels and a breakdown of how it went together:-

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[lpa53]

Following on from my posts above, it's always better to have a picture instead of a load of words.
Here's one of my labels and a breakdown of how it went together:-

Cheers,
Andrew

The photo on the label is a neat idea. By layer, am I correct in assuming you mean a digital layer?

After realizing I had several packs of glossy photo paper that had been packaged with ink cartridges, I made the label below. It's for an ancient Stadden figure I painted decades ago that needed a better base but that I could experiment on. I considered creating some sort of thick backing for label to lift it off of the base's surface but in the end thought it looked fine sitting in the same plane. In future I'll probably darken the cut edges.

 

[arj]

The photo on the label is a neat idea. By layer, am I correct in assuming you mean a digital layer?

After realizing I had several packs of glossy photo paper that had been packaged with ink cartridges, I made the label below. It's for an ancient Stadden figure I painted decades ago that needed a better base but that I could experiment on. I considered creating some sort of thick backing for label to lift it off of the base's surface but in the end thought it looked fine sitting in the same plane. In future I'll probably darken the cut edges.

Yes, it's a digital layer system.
As I said above, I use the art elements of Microsoft Excel; but any art package that you're happy with will suffice.
I also use a Sharpie felt tip to blacken the edges.
Run the edge of the tip along the label, holding the label with the face in the same direction as the tip. That way, if the pen slips it will only mark the back of the label.
That's a nice label you produced.
Have fun experimenting.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[lpa53]

Yes, it's a digital layer system.
As I said above, I use the art elements of Microsoft Excel; but any art package that you're happy with will suffice.
...
Cheers,
Andrew

I tried several programs but ended up liking PowerPoint best. The net go round I'll definitely use the Sharpie.

 

[krow113]

I've been using my laser to good effect on wood:

 

[yellowcat]

Free hand lettering with a pen nib on wood base.

 

[Tecumsea]

I think above average artistic ability is required for this Yellowcat.....LOL

Great result.

Keith