I'm trying to make some old, rusty license plates for the side of one of my buildings. I've tried embossing the lettering into .001" thick brass, using a pointed pencil and working in reverse. The result is ok but not great. Has anyone else ever tried something like this? Is there a better method?
Even trickier would be license plates that are not old and beat up -- the lettering would have to be pretty crisp, and it would have to be done without wrinkling the plate.
what about number stamps?
Not sure if the font would be correct though.
Plastruct and others sell styrene letters/numbers as well as the military model manufacturers sell etched brass numbers.
I have seen photographs of license plates used in F scale and they look very real, even without embossing.
The natural shadows in the photo give the illusion of depth.
-Marty
The number stamps wouldn't work as they'd have to be stamped on the back for true plate style embossing and then the numbers would be reversed when you turn it over.
You are trying to emulate numbers that protrude about 1/8-scale inch above the surface of the plate. Dry transfers probably would do the job. If you ask one of the custom guys to do them for you, suggest he use a couple of applications of ink to ensure the lettering will be thicker than usual. -- Russ
... or .. you could talk Vector Cut into making a set ...