To write # and draw length on bows, what do you use? Enamel or lacquer paint, I guess, but I couldn't write with a small brush. Some I've seen are so neat. How do they do it?
Thanks for your help.
Testors and a quill pen. Works absolutely perfect for me. I like very fine writing.
I use an extra fine calligraphy pen and archival white ink. The ink is a water based acrylic paint and once dry won't smear or run no matter what kind of lacquer is put over it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/caligraphywriting.jpg)
I use white ink because the darker osage gets the more it shows up. I inletted a piece of seasoned osage burl into this bow to make a personalized name plate. This is how white ink stands out on older osage.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/michellelettering.jpg)
I have bought some india ink pens at a craft store that works well.
Acrylic ink works very well, check for it a Michaels. Good stuff.
Gelly Roll paint pens work well. Several colors and can be bought at Micheal's or most craft stores.
I use Speedball super pigmented acrylic ink from Hobby Lobby, the cheapest calligraphy pen they have with a good, extra fine point. The ink in the picture is at least 5 years old.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/penandink.jpg)
I dip the pen in ink, make a few lines on a piece of cardboard to unload the pen a bit and get it making fine lines without any blobs, and start lettering.
The smoother you have the surface you are going to letter the better the pen will write. Rough finishes will cause the pen to skip and make a mess. I have about 3 coats of finish on a bow before I start lettering and put a couple more coats on over the lettering.
It is a rare bow that I can letter in one try. I keep a wet paper towel close at hand to wipe off my goof-ups so I can start over. My hands are pretty arthritic from excessive draw knife use over the years and don't work too well for neat lettering.
A CD marker pen comes in different colours and wont wash off with finishes applied.
Most typical craft store markers are way too thick for good inking on bows. Faber-Castell makes 'extra superfine' artist pens that cost only a few dollars that write well...except they only come in black and a few other darker colors. Have no idea why they don't come in white ink.
Like Eric I've tried a calligraphy pen and dipping ink...but didn't care for the mess.
I have the Faber-Castell in black and white. Work really well.
I bought a water based acrylic paint marker. Expensive like $12. I found out that it has to stored upside down or the ink in the tip will coagulate and dry up and cease to work. The tip unscrews and I dropped it in some very hot water. They are refillable also. Its a Montana Marker but it seems they went bankrupt. :rolleyes: