Need some help with signs, please

maybe have to spray the back & front with a acrylic sealer ????

I use a very thin layer (spread with my finger) of straight Elmer's white glue on my inkjet printed signs.  The glue doesn't have enough water in it to make the ink run.  I weather the signs using powders after they are glued on.  Getting them wet is not good.

 

If you seal the paper on both sides I'm not sure the glue mix would hold. Since you're making it "waterproof". Don't know for sure, just a thought.

 

I attach mine with spray adhesive, no worries about runs or tears.

 

Or you could buy a laser printer. Inkjet will run if it gets wet.

Below is a pic of what i think you are trying to do. I made the sign (sans S&H logo) on my computer (IMac) and printed it on a simple HP inkjet printer. The tricks: instead of using printer paper i used white tissue wrapping paper which i fed VERY carefully into the printer; while the white print wasn't as intense as i wanted, i simply filled it in using a paint pen (available at artist's supply stores); then carefully brushed on a dilute mix of white glue and water and laid the sign on the building pressing it down with a small silk screen roller (again from the artist's supply store). Never had a problem with the ink running; if i had i would have set it with a very light coat of Dullcote. The S&H Green stamp was a separate application. Took a real stamp and sanded the BACK of it with some 400 grit wet/dry paper. After it was thin enough i put it in place with a little dilute white glue. Hope this helps.

 

jackson, CEO, Not-So-Great Eastern R.R. aka the Never Done Lines

Division of the Southern Adirondack Railway Cartel

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...&feature=channel

 

 

Chad, I was considering that as my next attempt. 

Bob, thanks for the reply your method will be 3rd attempt if necessary.

Fred, whe you use the spray adhesive on a sign going on a brick surface, can you still sorta push the paper into the brick to give that painted look?

My last thought was to run over to staples and get a nice photocopy of my printed signs, maybe that'll work? Anybody know if color copy ink runs when wet?

Thank you!

nick

Laser Ink should not run if properly fused. However, not all Color Copiers/Printers use the same temperature toner. So, it can very by model and manufacturer. (Have worked in this industry for over 40 years) So results can very but you stand a good chance, just don't got nuts with the water. Also, a great deal depends on the substrate you are using. BTW Substrate = Paper or media as it could be tyvek, or other forms of paper. I have had great success with ______ darn can't think of the exact name but think it is Write on Rain Paper. It can get soaked and still holds up very nicely! (Used to use it to print laser copies of Geocache Logs, different hobby) Hope this helps, Dennis PRR2818

I think so, Nick.

 

 

I used to use the glue mix a long time ago, too many signs tore and over time seemed to dry out and fall off.  I haven't done it that way in at least 15 years.

your problem is with the water. there really isn't any need
for it. sand or don't sand the back of the image, apply a light
coat of full strength Elmer's and apply. after a couple of minutes
run your fingernail along the brick lines to get
the sign to settle into the brick. after it is dry
you can weather with chalks and/or a dry brush of the
brick color to make it seem like the brick is showing
through the sign. if you want to use an alcohol/india ink
mix, do it very sparingly after all is dry. have never had an
issue with this technique using an ink jet printer and plain printing
paper.

jerrman