Stencil Making questions...

RMcClellan · Dec 6, 2009

I'm getting ready to make my stencils for my etcher. I need to know the best size for the font, and if there is a font that works better than others as far as legibility (I really like the script font, and there are a lot of them). I have a long last name which might be a problem with some fonts with space limitations. So anyone that knows how to do this, your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Rex

Will Leavitt · Dec 6, 2009

Rex, order them from Ernie Grospitch, cheap, well made and fast shipping. He's a great guy and a helluva knifemaker too. It's about $35 shipped and you'll have them within a week.

logem · Dec 6, 2009

"Blocky" letters will tend to work better than letters with thin lines. Same with images. Thin gaps may burn or thin lines will not be as clear.

Mike L.

safta · Dec 6, 2009

Block letters are easier. Small size or script fonts are not difficult, you will just have to experiment with exposure times. Write down sizes, font names, exposure times to keep as future reference. Make sure to develop the stencil for at least 4-5 minutes.

RMcClellan · Dec 12, 2009

safta said:
Block letters are easier. Small size or script fonts are not difficult, you will just have to experiment with exposure times. Write down sizes, font names, exposure times to keep as future reference. Make sure to develop the stencil for at least 4-5 minutes.

So does anyone know the font size? Or do I need to experiment?

Bruce Bump · Dec 12, 2009

You will need to experiment.

safta · Dec 12, 2009

You can use the smallest size available for the font your using. There are no restrictions for size, other than the size of your stencil material. You will have to experiment with your setup. For very small sizes start with a short exposure time like 30 seconds, and increase or decrease to perfect it.

RMcClellan · Dec 12, 2009

Thanks,
for the tips, experimenting I will go!!!

69_knives · Dec 13, 2009

If you use a graphic program that will scale the print with a % slider, the font doesn't really matter but you will have to experiment.

I use Paint Shop Pro, I wanted a 3/4" wide stencil image so I designed the whole layout for the 3x7 sheet or whatever it was. Create a new image with the size in inches times 1000 pixels eg 3500X7000 pixel image and make your stencil layout proportional to that with a roughly corresponding font size. When you are done designing, go to page setup and scale the printed image to fit into a roughly 3.5x7" area, print it and measure the printed image. If too big, scale down with the % slider and print, repeat until you have the correct size. then you know the font size and the % that it needs to be printed at.

RMcClellan · Dec 13, 2009

69_knives said:
If you use a graphic program that will scale the print with a % slider, the font doesn't really matter but you will have to experiment.

I use Paint Shop Pro, I wanted a 3/4" wide stencil image so I designed the whole layout for the 3x7 sheet or whatever it was. Create a new image with the size in inches times 1000 pixels eg 3500X7000 pixel image and make your stencil layout proportional to that with a roughly corresponding font size. When you are done designing, go to page setup and scale the printed image to fit into a roughly 3.5x7" area, print it and measure the printed image. If too big, scale down with the % slider and print, repeat until you have the correct size. then you know the font size and the % that it needs to be printed at.

I was planning on using MS Word, as it has several different fonts and a way to measure the length, (and I don't have another graphic program).I'll give it a try see how it turns out.

Thanks to all who have chimed in, Rex

Tommegow · Dec 13, 2009

Ok Once I get a font picked out and sized, how do I get
the stencil made? These can be made DIY?

jll346 · Dec 13, 2009

Tommegow said:
Ok Once I get a font picked out and sized, how do I get
the stencil made? These can be made DIY?

If you do not have the equipment to make them it is MUCH BETTER to buy them. I reciently purchased them from TUS Industries. They are outstanding to deal with and excellent prices.

EZ Cad Blades · Dec 14, 2009

Tommegow said:
Ok Once I get a font picked out and sized, how do I get
the stencil made? These can be made DIY?

Tommegow,
Just my two cents here, but I bought the Etch-O Matic system for making my own stencils. I had to play around a bit to get it the way I wanted it, but basically, here's what I did:

1. Determined the finished size I wanted.
2. Printed out the logo for my stencil on plain white copier paper.
3. Reduced size via "Size Reduction" settings on my copier (a B&W laser printer, copier, scanner/fax).
4. Finalized the size I wanted and then used the Etch-O-Matic stencil maker. You can find more info here:

http://www.etch-o-matic.biz/

I am satisfied with the results I have been able to produce. Hope this helps!

Sticky · Dec 15, 2009

EZ Cad Blades said:
Tommegow,
Just my two cents here, but I bought the Etch-O Matic system for making my own stencils. I had to play around a bit to get it the way I wanted it, but basically, here's what I did:

1. Determined the finished size I wanted.
2. Printed out the logo for my stencil on plain white copier paper.
3. Reduced size via "Size Reduction" settings on my copier (a B&W laser printer, copier, scanner/fax).
4. Finalized the size I wanted and then used the Etch-O-Matic stencil maker. You can find more info here:

http://www.etch-o-matic.biz/

I am satisfied with the results I have been able to produce. Hope this helps!

Which kit do ya have? Im wondering if the cheapy kit will be ok?
Thanks!
jim

EZ Cad Blades · Dec 15, 2009

Jim,
I paid for a Distributorship. This is what I ordered:

MARK 1000 U.V. STENCIL MAKER &
SUPER ETCH-O-MATIC KIT COMBO
Mark 1000/ Etch-O-Matic Super Combo Kit

I am 100% satisfied with the product. The only thing I was not and am not satisfied with was, and still is, Martronics' lack of customer service :barf: . I attempted NUMEROUS times to get some kind of response to my inquiries and to this day have never been contacted back. I also never received the Distributor/Affiliate Package. This has been almost 5 (yes, FIVE) years past. It was as if they had my money and had no intention of living up to their offer concerning the Distributorship. No matter. I have used their system for etching knives, tools, machined parts, glass, and for making/selling stencils to sell to other knife makers. I come from a Tool & Die Machinist background and have been able to more than make back my investment WITHOUT any support whatsoever from the manufacturer; mostly through the connections I made over the almost 20 years I have been in the industry. As I said ... I am 100% satisfied with the product and would recommend it to anyone needing a reliable way to mark parts, knives, etc. To answer your question as to a "cheapy kit" ... yes, a cheap kit will suffice. Knowing what I know now, I would neither buy more nor less than the following:

MARK 440 U.V. STENCIL MAKER &
ETCH-O-MATIC STARTER KIT COMBO

Maybe a bit expensive to some of you out there, but I've been using their marking system for going on five years now and the product reliability and ease of use alone is worth the cost in my opinion. There are several how-to videos on their website to learn from. I would recommend viewing them first to see if it fits into your own "scheme of things". That way you are better able to make an educated/informed decision and not just take a stranger's (me) word for it. Best wishes to you, Sir!