Sign Display Questions

[oldhudson]

I do volunteer work for a local non-profit. Each year they have an event to raise funds. The event entitled Power of the Purse includes an auction.  The director asked me to make a display of their logo to use as a centerpiece. See image.

So the display will actually have a real purse hanging off the middle arm of the "F".

SCALE: Looking at it -  if the purse were say 12" long by 9" high it looks like the "F" would be about 24-26" and the backer would add another 4"-8". Does that make sense?

MATERIALS & CUTTING: I envision cutting the "F" from 1/4" or 3/8" BBPW and the backer 3/8" or maybe 1/2". I thought I'd take the file to Kinko's and have the pattern enlarged to the size needed, glue it to the stock and cut with a jig saw. Sand and paint them individually.

MOUNTING: Then I have to mount the "F" to the backer with a space so that the strap of the purse can be placed on the arm of the "F". So I need to make spacers that won't be too visible. I suppose painted that blue? So how much space should I allow, 1/4?   3/8?   1/2?   And should I use wood for the spacers or maybe styrofoam?

I'm looking for ideas and suggestions. As always thanks for reading!

[JimErn]

I would consider cutting the "F" from, a 2x6 or larger if the overall design warrants it.  Then bevel only the lower horizontal line of the "F" to leave a gap deep enough to hand the purse on - it would help to have the purse before beveling

[Fedido]

I did something like this not too long ago. In the photo below, the cards are offset. I was going to use 1/4 plywood under the cards to give it a more raised look, however; it will be outside so I figured the wood would rot fast. I used a jig saw with a fine tooth blade to make the cuts. In your situation, it will be indoors, so you won't have to worry about wetness or in my case, gail force winds from a hurricane. I would use 1/4 BB plywood. Find how big you really way, then plaster the logo onto the plywood with a projector. That is what I did. I played with the distance of the projector to get the exact size I needed, which was a challenge with all detail in there. That sign has no less than 77 screws in it ranging from holding the cards up, to the white space on the lower rocker, and even the middle of the A. I hope this helps some. Let me know if you have any other questions or I was not clear enough. 

 

Hendo

[don in brooklin on]

If it is only going to be indoors and painted you could use MDF.  If the purse is heavy you might need 3/3 or 1/2.

I would use wood spacers.

I think the "F" is Garamond.  If you only have a picture it might pixelate too much.  You could take the F in the PDF and use the poster feature in Acrobat too expand.  The F is 7.5 inches so 350% gives about 24 inches.

 

f.pdf

[oldhudson]

5 hours ago, Fedido said:

I did something like this not too long ago. In the photo below, the cards are offset. I was going to use 1/4 plywood under the cards to give it a more raised look, however; it will be outside so I figured the wood would rot fast. I used a jig saw with a fine tooth blade to make the cuts. In your situation, it will be indoors, so you won't have to worry about wetness or in my case, gail force winds from a hurricane. I would use 1/4 BB plywood. Find how big you really way, then plaster the logo onto the plywood with a projector. That is what I did. I played with the distance of the projector to get the exact size I needed, which was a challenge with all detail in there. That sign has no less than 77 screws in it ranging from holding the cards up, to the white space on the lower rocker, and even the middle of the A. I hope this helps some. Let me know if you have any other questions or I was not clear enough. 

 

Hendo

Using a projector, never thought of that. Thks.

[tomsteve]

to determine how big the spacers will need to be, after all is cut and before painting, lay it out and see what space works for ya.

[oldhudson]

I thought it would be worthwhile to create a mock-up so the customer knew what it would look like. My sweetie crocheted the purse mock-up. This is 3" square. Even though the pattern got stretched horizontally, no idea what happened, the customer was really pleased.

[Fedido]

Well done! Looks great and as long as the customer is happy, that is all that matters.

[oldhudson]

Finally completed this project, but alas the fund raiser has been postponed until September, for the obvious reason. I can't ever remember completing a job for someone months ahead of schedule. The largest I could make the file on my old pc was 4" x 4". I took it to Kinko's and they made a 785% enlargement. I had two copies made. This was the first time i used shelf liner under a pattern. Wow - so easy. I ended up using 3/8" for the backer and the "F". The spacers were 1/2" pw. The feet were 2 x 4 off cuts. I cut the sides of the backer with a track saw and the corners with a jig saw. On the "F" everything but the eyes were cut with a jig saw. I scrolled the eyes.  I think it turned out pretty good. Thanks for looking.