HDU Signs

[Davo]

I've been looking at the gallery

It looks like it's all done in 3D - which would seem to take 8 hours..

What's the typical method for making these?

http://www.signfoam.com/gallery.html

[blackhawk]

That is a pretty broad question. Do you have a particular sample sign that you are asking about? Probably better to post this in the sign section.

[Davo]

Just an overall view based on the link - I'm just not familiar with any of it


Wonder if they can move this post

[joe]

There's a world of techniques, methods, and materials in this gallery. Lets see if you have one of these to discuss?

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[Davo]

Maybe just one like this

http://www.normansignco.com/images/s...Apartments.jpg

Some fantastic looking signs on your site btw

After looking at some other places it seems they masked and sand blasted the material down on the sign on another website

I probably have enough on my plate instead of learning this

But they look really good

[joe]

Davo,

That sign was installed twelve to fifteen years ago in Lawton, Okla. I updated it three or four years back with a fresh coat of paint.

The techniques goes something like this. Post made from .75" Extira. The fabrication, which including flutes, texturing and painting takes a full two days. Sign substrate is HDU that has been routed down and then sandblasted. Total time in production was five full days. But none of that is as important as the original concept. No matter the equipment or techniques used, the quality of the finished sign depends mainly on the creative germ going in. I spend a great deal of time pushing a pencil around a legal pad. And I think I come up with my best work on table napkins over dinner and sometime the back of a business card. Seldom do my best idea's come to me at the drawing table. The most creative idea's sneak up on you.

Joe

[Davo]

Thanks for the information!

[Alex Naumenko]

Not all 3d signs has to be created by using 3D profile. Here is one example. 1.5 HDU. 8'x11' Total routing time 3.5 hours. IMG_0636.jpg
My preference is to separate background from letters. Routing is faster and sign looks more dimensional.

[Davo]

I guess the next thing that I'm curious about is the painting techniques like the one in your pic

[Alex Naumenko]

Letters are pocketed so they painted separate. Fade painted with paint mask and airbrushing technique.