I like to sign & date my pieces when I give them away. I now just use a fine Sharpie on the bottom. What are some of the better ways to do this? I’ve explored brands, engraving, etc. How you sign yours?
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Signing your work?
- Thread starter Larry Parker
- Start date
I found Sharpie’s faded after a relatively short time. Pens with Archival ink will not. Art supply stores and Hobby Lobby carry them.
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I use a wood burner. A rounded pyrography tip works week because it works omnidirectional.
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I usually use pyrography, but I have also used about everything else.
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I use a ball tip to burn my signature. You use a light touch and keep it moving.
I'm quite new to this, but I have recently started using a Dremel engraver (290). At low settings I'm quite satisfied with the result (rather discreet).
ball tip burning pen
Where a good place to buy these ball tip burners? This is one I’ve been really interested in but have seen what they are like.
This is one I’ve thought about but haven’t tried as of yet.
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https://www.woodcarverssupply.com/
This is where I got mine as I have a burnmaster and they have many tips for it.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I use a Dremel engraver for 90 percent. I use pyrography for a small few pieces and permanent markers for my Christmas Ornaments. The trick to using the Dremel is use a very light touch and don't move fast. For signing with pyrography a light touch and light heat. Neither is very easy on woods that have large pores like Ash, Oak. Pyrogaphy is especially difficult on woods that have a very soft summer ring and hard winter rings. Both require lots of practice. Here are some examples of both.
Cindy Drozda is a fan of engraving then filling with some light colored (often gold) wax and includes a short bit on it at the end of her finial box demos. On dark woods it's very striking. I believe it is included on her DVD "Finial Boxes" but don't know if there are any such videos on her site or on line.
Dean, I believe the video of Cindy Drozda you refer to is on YouTube "Gold Filled Engraving on Wood"
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I tried the filling technique but the wood needs to be very fine grain. Any grain or pores at all and they fill with the wax and looks terrible.
Where did you purchase your brand?
The company is called High Heat Stamps
http://highheatstamps.com/shop.html?store-page=Custom-High-Heat-Stamp-p51812176
I don't do this too often as its a little work... but I have used a vinyl cutter to make a template and air brushed the signature. A bit of extra work but gives a nice result.
Also Branding Irons Unlimited.
https://brandingirons.com
https://brandingirons.com
Chuck Lobaito
AAW Board Member
I use a ball tip on a woodburner. If it is a darker wood, I will use a silver archival marker.
I had our local Epilog Laser rep make some 1-1/8" medallions using my studio logo. He used cherry veneer ply 1/8" thick. It was a very quick process. I do still date and wood species in black sharpie or white or silver paint pen.
