printing custom signs

Just asking for advice - that's all.

I would like to be able on create on demand custom text-only signs
using just the computer & printer I already have at home & appropriate
freeware on Win10 (and normal house supplies like spray paint).

I have a ton of discarded election sign blanks and their wire holders.
I don't want to spend money except for household incidentals (like tape).

Can you improve on the plan below to accomplish that goal?

The text only signs will vary in size but will all be larger than 8.5x11.
They'll be like the election signs people put in their yards.
Each week I'll change what they say.

The base is a white plastic (like those election signs) on a wire stand.
The letters will be blue spray painted on a stencil that I will print.
Since the signs are larger than printer paper - printing will be tiled.
If they can be overlapped and have cross hatches to line up that's nice.
Vector graphics aren't needed because the letters are to be cut out.
The font needs to be readable & easily cut out & easily stencil painted.
Letters are expected to be around 1 inch to 2 inches in height - maybe 3.

Here's the plan which I ask for advice to improve given the restrictions.
Editing software = almost anything will work (vector programs aren't needed)
Font = probably a freely available road sign font (lots exist)
(the font may dictate the editing software)
Editing format = probably the sign will be saved as a BMP
Tiling software = probably Posterazor (maybe Rasterbator)
Printing size = 8.5x11 B&W
Sign size = probably 2 feet by about 1.5 foot (depending on the blanks)
Text color = blue (but that doesn't matter really)

That's about all I can think of for now.
I'll be composing the sign in any text editing software.
The road sign font has to work with that text editing software of course.
Then I'll save as a BMP and tile it with the tiler and print to 8.5x11.
I'll tape the stencil together and glue to a piece of cardboard.
I'll then cut out the letters and spray paint the sign.

Can you improve on the plan above to accomplish the stated goals?

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On 4/13/21 11:51 PM, Martin Brown wrote:
Just asking for advice - that's all.

I would like to be able on create on demand custom text-only signs
using just the computer & printer I already have at home & appropriate
freeware on Win10 (and normal house supplies like spray paint).

I have a ton of discarded election sign blanks and their wire holders.
I don't want to spend money except for household incidentals (like tape).

Can you improve on the plan below to accomplish that goal?

The text only signs will vary in size but will all be larger than 8.5x11.
They'll be like the election signs people put in their yards.
Each week I'll change what they say.

The base is a white plastic (like those election signs) on a wire stand.
The letters will be blue spray painted on a stencil that I will print.
Since the signs are larger than printer paper - printing will be tiled.
If they can be overlapped and have cross hatches to line up that's nice.
Vector graphics aren't needed because the letters are to be cut out.
The font needs to be readable & easily cut out & easily stencil painted.
Letters are expected to be around 1 inch to 2 inches in height - maybe 3.

Here's the plan which I ask for advice to improve given the restrictions.
Editing software = almost anything will work (vector programs aren't
needed)
Font = probably a freely available road sign font (lots exist)
Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* (the font may dictate the editing software)
Editing format = probably the sign will be saved as a BMP
Tiling software = probably Posterazor (maybe Rasterbator)
Printing size = 8.5x11 B&W
Sign size = probably 2 feet by about 1.5 foot (depending on the blanks)
Text color = blue (but that doesn't matter really)

That's about all I can think of for now.
I'll be composing the sign in any text editing software.
The road sign font has to work with that text editing software of course.
Then I'll save as a BMP and tile it with the tiler and print to 8.5x11.
I'll tape the stencil together and glue to a piece of cardboard.
I'll then cut out the letters and spray paint the sign.

Can you improve on the plan above to accomplish the stated goals?



I used a spreadsheet program once to print a sign that was two by three
pieces of 8.5x11" paper.
I don't remember the exact procedure, but basically I setup the
spreadsheet so that the cells were a multiple of 8.5x11. Then I pasted a
'picture' of the text into the top left cell and sized it to cover 2x3
cells.

Alternatively, is there an office supply store nearby that can print a
large format size?


--
Ken Hart

In article , Ken Hart
wrote:

I used a spreadsheet program once to print a sign that was two by three
pieces of 8.5x11" paper.
I don't remember the exact procedure, but basically I setup the
spreadsheet so that the cells were a multiple of 8.5x11. Then I pasted a
'picture' of the text into the top left cell and sized it to cover 2x3
cells.

there's nothing like taking the simplest of tasks and turning it into a
convoluted process that gives poor results.

why not just print the 'picture' from whatever software was used to
generate said picture?

set the page size to whatever size is needed and then choose print.
done. the computer does the rest.

the results will still be less than ideal, but not quite as bad as via
a spreadsheet.

for the record, the proper tool for large signs (or any size, actually)
is adobe illustrator.

On 4/15/21 10:54 AM, nospam wrote:
In article , Ken Hart
wrote:

I used a spreadsheet program once to print a sign that was two by three
pieces of 8.5x11" paper.
I don't remember the exact procedure, but basically I setup the
spreadsheet so that the cells were a multiple of 8.5x11. Then I pasted a
'picture' of the text into the top left cell and sized it to cover 2x3
cells.

there's nothing like taking the simplest of tasks and turning it into a
convoluted process that gives poor results.

why not just print the 'picture' from whatever software was used to
generate said picture?

set the page size to whatever size is needed and then choose print.
done. the computer does the rest.

the results will still be less than ideal, but not quite as bad as via
a spreadsheet.

for the record, the proper tool for large signs (or any size, actually)
is adobe illustrator.


Go back and re-read my first sentence. The sign was large enough that it
required six pieces of paper- two by three sheets. I didn't have a
printer large enough for that, so I had to come up with a way to tile
the sign. Since this was a one-off event, I wasn't going to invest in
any additional software (even freeware).

The results, by the way, were just fine. The spreadsheet software
(probably LibreOffice or OpenOffice) scaled the picture perfectly.

The proper (first) tool for any large signs is a printer that can handle
that size sign.

--
Ken Hart

In article , Ken Hart
wrote:

I used a spreadsheet program once to print a sign that was two by three
pieces of 8.5x11" paper.
I don't remember the exact procedure, but basically I setup the
spreadsheet so that the cells were a multiple of 8.5x11. Then I pasted a
'picture' of the text into the top left cell and sized it to cover 2x3
cells.

there's nothing like taking the simplest of tasks and turning it into a
convoluted process that gives poor results.

why not just print the 'picture' from whatever software was used to
generate said picture?

set the page size to whatever size is needed and then choose print.
done. the computer does the rest.

the results will still be less than ideal, but not quite as bad as via
a spreadsheet.

for the record, the proper tool for large signs (or any size, actually)
is adobe illustrator.


Go back and re-read my first sentence. The sign was large enough that it
required six pieces of paper- two by three sheets.

i'm well aware of that.

now go back and reread what i wrote, specifically this part:
set the page size to whatever size is needed and then choose print.
done. the computer does the rest.

that's *it*.

I didn't have a
printer large enough for that, so I had to come up with a way to tile
the sign.

no you didn't.

computers are there to do work *for* you.

all you need to do is tell it the desired size. the computer does the
rest.

if the printer is not big enough for a single print, the image will
*automatically* be tiled into multiple sheets. cut marks can be added
if desired, or full bleed if the printer supports it.

http://fashionclassroom.com/images/content/blog/page-tiling-03.png

Since this was a one-off event, I wasn't going to invest in
any additional software (even freeware).

in other words, you deliberately chose to do a ****ty job. hopefully it
was not for a client.

The results, by the way, were just fine. The spreadsheet software
(probably LibreOffice or OpenOffice) scaled the picture perfectly.

no it didn't, since a spreadsheet was never designed for image
processing.

if you think that upsampling an image in a spreadsheet is fine then you
don't know what good quality is, let alone high quality.

this will be particularly apparent if there was any text in the sign,
which there probably was.

not only will the upsampling be poor, but there won't be any colour
management either.

The proper (first) tool for any large signs is a printer that can handle
that size sign.

nope. a printer is useless without something to send to it.

the proper first tool is software to generate the document to be
printed.

once the document is created, it can then be printed on any printer.

those who don't own a large format printer can send it to a print shop.

if you sent them a spreadsheet, they'd laugh at you. a lot.

On Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 5:49:01 PM UTC-4, Ken Hart wrote:
... The sign was large enough that it
required six pieces of paper- two by three sheets. I didn't have a
printer large enough for that, so I had to come up with a way to tile
the sign. Since this was a one-off event, I wasn't going to invest in
any additional software (even freeware).

The results, by the way, were just fine. The spreadsheet software
(probably LibreOffice or OpenOffice) scaled the picture perfectly.

The proper (first) tool for any large signs is a printer that can handle
that size sign.

That's one option. Another is to be content with "tiles" printed on 8.5x11" paper.

What one can do that's KISS waterproof is to use office store sheet protectors:
https://www.staples.com/Avery-Side-Insert-Clear-Sheet-Protectors/product_431492

I'd arrange the sheet protector in rows, stapling them on the binder hole side as its
top edge. Then "shingle" the next row above it, with that row's bottom edge overlapping
the binder hole edge to hide it (and make for a more continuously appearing image).

FWIW, I'd probably use some paperclips on the open side of the sheet protectors, to
stop them from billowing open in the wind & better protect from rain.

Nice part about this is that to redo the sign with a new printout, its just take off the
paperclips, slide the old papers out of each sleeve, & slide the new papers in.

-hh

On 20/04/2021 18:37, -hh wrote:
The proper (first) tool for any large signs is a printer that can handle
that size sign.

That's one option. Another is to be content with "tiles" printed on 8.5x11" paper.

What one can do that's KISS waterproof is to use office store sheet protectors:
https://www.staples.com/Avery-Side-Insert-Clear-Sheet-Protectors/product_431492

KISS is always a good idea (as the objecdtive is to do it all at home).
Thanks for that idea of printing directly to the plastic sheet protectors.

Those plastic sheet protectors seem like a good idea for the printed stencil
because I can probably laser print directly to them. Then I can cut out the
stencil lettering which has a couple benefits over printing to paper.

The plastic stencil can be cut directly and the plastic stencil won't get
wet from the spray paint like cardboard might and it may even be easier to
hold an edge for painting when cut than paper would (especially if I re-use
the stencil more than once).

The other KISS option is to tape the printed paper to thin cardboard & cut
out the thin cardboard stencil using the printed paper as the outline.

BTW I decided to hone the color to as close to the official blue & red for
USA road signs I can get in a spray can. That official blue & red turned out
to be Pantone Blue 294C & Pantone Red 187C according to this reference.
https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno-colorspec.htm

Microsoft doesn't do Pantone apparently so I set Powerpoint to the closest
RGB/HSV colors which for blue is RGB 0 47 108 & for red is RGB 166 25 46
according to this reference.
https://www.pantone.com/color-finder/294-C
https://www.pantone.com/color-finder/187-C
(This exact color match isn't really necessary but it's easily enough done.)

I've got the official road sign fonts embedded into PowerPoint (again not
needed but useful if at some point I send it off to a professional printer).

I'm writing up the full procedure so that we can make it better which as
most of you understood it's designed to be as KISS as possible but still
fully customizable using only a home printer and basic home materials.
--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On 14/04/2021 04:51, Martin Brown wrote:
Just asking for advice - that's all.

I would like to be able on create on demand custom text-only signs
using just the computer & printer I already have at home & appropriate
freeware on Win10 (and normal house supplies like spray paint).

I have a ton of discarded election sign blanks and their wire holders.
I don't want to spend money except for household incidentals (like tape).

Can you improve on the plan below to accomplish that goal?

The text only signs will vary in size but will all be larger than 8.5x11.
They'll be like the election signs people put in their yards.
Each week I'll change what they say.

The base is a white plastic (like those election signs) on a wire stand.
The letters will be blue spray painted on a stencil that I will print.
Since the signs are larger than printer paper - printing will be tiled.
If they can be overlapped and have cross hatches to line up that's nice.
Vector graphics aren't needed because the letters are to be cut out.
The font needs to be readable & easily cut out & easily stencil painted.
Letters are expected to be around 1 inch to 2 inches in height - maybe 3.

Here's the plan which I ask for advice to improve given the restrictions.
Editing software = almost anything will work (vector programs aren't
needed)
Font = probably a freely available road sign font (lots exist)
Â*Â*Â*Â* (the font may dictate the editing software)
Editing format = probably the sign will be saved as a BMP
Tiling software = probably Posterazor (maybe Rasterbator)
Printing size = 8.5x11 B&W
Sign size = probably 2 feet by about 1.5 foot (depending on the blanks)
Text color = blue (but that doesn't matter really)

That's about all I can think of for now.
I'll be composing the sign in any text editing software.
The road sign font has to work with that text editing software of course.
Then I'll save as a BMP and tile it with the tiler and print to 8.5x11.
I'll tape the stencil together and glue to a piece of cardboard.
I'll then cut out the letters and spray paint the sign.

Can you improve on the plan above to accomplish the stated goals?

I sometimes do posters up to A3 but I already have an A3 inkjet. I just
invested in an A3 laminator to make them weatherproof. You can use
double sided tape to fasten these to that plastic "corrugated
cardboard". (Your target size is near enough A2 so at the risk of
looking a bit home-made you only have to tape two A3s together).

On 4/13/2021 11:51 PM, Martin Brown wrote:
Just asking for advice - that's all.

I would like to be able on create on demand custom text-only signs
using just the computer & printer I already have at home & appropriate
freeware on Win10 (and normal house supplies like spray paint).

I have a ton of discarded election sign blanks and their wire holders.
I don't want to spend money except for household incidentals (like tape).

Can you improve on the plan below to accomplish that goal?

The text only signs will vary in size but will all be larger than 8.5x11.
They'll be like the election signs people put in their yards.
Each week I'll change what they say.

The base is a white plastic (like those election signs) on a wire stand.
The letters will be blue spray painted on a stencil that I will print.
Since the signs are larger than printer paper - printing will be tiled.
If they can be overlapped and have cross hatches to line up that's nice.
Vector graphics aren't needed because the letters are to be cut out.
The font needs to be readable & easily cut out & easily stencil painted.
Letters are expected to be around 1 inch to 2 inches in height - maybe 3.

Here's the plan which I ask for advice to improve given the restrictions.
Editing software = almost anything will work (vector programs aren't
needed)
Font = probably a freely available road sign font (lots exist)
Â*Â*Â*Â* (the font may dictate the editing software)
Editing format = probably the sign will be saved as a BMP
Tiling software = probably Posterazor (maybe Rasterbator)
Printing size = 8.5x11 B&W
Sign size = probably 2 feet by about 1.5 foot (depending on the blanks)
Text color = blue (but that doesn't matter really)

That's about all I can think of for now.
I'll be composing the sign in any text editing software.
The road sign font has to work with that text editing software of course.
Then I'll save as a BMP and tile it with the tiler and print to 8.5x11.
I'll tape the stencil together and glue to a piece of cardboard.
I'll then cut out the letters and spray paint the sign.

Can you improve on the plan above to accomplish the stated goals?

Wow. That's a complicated way to accomplish your goal.

The advantage of vector graphics is that the size of the file is
unrelated to the size of the sign. The only limitation after that is the
printing process. Many office supply stores offer large format printing
from files at reasonable prices, so you could have the sign printed in
one step, and include whatever design you'd like.

There are inexpensive vector graphics programs, and even free apps like
Libra/Open/Polaris Office include vector graphics in their suite. If
going that route, print to PDF and take it to be printed.

--
best regards,

Neil

On 15/04/2021 15:07, Neil wrote:
Wow. That's a complicated way to accomplish your goal.

If you have an easier simpler cheaper way to make custom yard signs on
demand that's why I'm asking for advice from the experts here. ;-)

These signs are discarded election signs.
Most are made of corregated white plastic (about 1/4 inch or 1/8th thick).
Some have writing on one side but many are blank on both sides.
They're of variable sizes of a few feet by a few feet in size.
The area is wet and windy so tape & paper wouldn't hold up well.

If you have a simpler idea than printing stencils then that's what I want to
know from you experts.

The advantage of vector graphics is that the size of the file is
unrelated to the size of the sign.

I don't care what text editor I use as long as it accepts the sign fonts.

The only limitation after that is the printing process.

It's not the "only" limitation so much as the main problem I'm asking for
help in solving from you experts.

Many office supply stores offer large format printing
from files at reasonable prices, so you could have the sign printed in
one step, and include whatever design you'd like.

I do appreciate your help but the fact I'm asking here shows that if I was
going to use a professional printer I wouldn't need to ask you for advice.

I already have a solution in the works.
I was hoping you experts could improve upon it.

There are inexpensive vector graphics programs, and even free apps like
Libra/Open/Polaris Office include vector graphics in their suite. If
going that route, print to PDF and take it to be printed.

It's only text and I already have GIMP and PhotoShop and Illustrator and
Inkscape and Apache OpenOffice Draw and CorelDRAW and Dia and SK1 and a
bunch of others that I don't remember offhand on Windows 10.

I'll use any editor for the text as long as it accepts the road fonts.


--
Regards,
Martin Brown