Property maintenance numbers bespoke hand painted on entrance masonry pillars for a residence in Kensington by Traditional Signs of London.
The client had recently moved into the property and not suprisingly wished to replace the existing property maintenance numbers as they were not in keeping for the age of the residence and also not matching any surrounding properties, which is far more preferred by clients & the council, especially in conservation areas.
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The existing numbers were not the only ones painted that weren’t up to standard for this type of residence. The existing numbers had replaced equally not ideal numbers for the type of residence.
Both typefaces were painted and were noticable, but just not the sort of typeface which suits the residence. The existing was not neat enough and also far too big bold & blocky, with the previous being too thin, ‘arty’ & free flowing.
The residence required a traditional serif typeface, which is demi-bold, as the residence is set back from the road and the pillars are set back also.
Unfortunately a lot of building contractors, maintenance firms & decorators, don’t know or realise that the number has to be specific typefaces, sizes and produced as neat as possible.
They often cut corners by trying to produce the number themselves, which is what leads to the wrong typeface & it poorly executed.
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Traditional Signs of London start by offering typefaces to the client by either matching to a neighbouring that has an ideal sized , positioned & in keeping typeface, or offer a few examples with a digital visual.
Once approved by the client, the templates are drawn on paper in differing sizes, so the most suitable can be used on site.
Once arrived at the site, the first job is to ensure the centre lines are measured & marked.
The property maintenance numbers will be centred, level & upright, as the templates have marking to align to the markings on the pillar/s.
Then the ideal sized template is reliefed onto the pier with a powder that is able to be wiped clean after sign writing. It acts as a guide for neat precise painting.
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These numbers are not 1 stroke lettering, they are created with a series of strokes to create the letter & ensuring a precise edge all the way round each number.
More care is taken & precison is required on a uneven & stipple finish masonry piers pillars and walls. In this instance the preparation of the pillar was excellent & was a nice smooth finish with a slight gloss sheen.
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A specialist paint is used to get a good flow of paint from the brush, which is also specialist. Its a mis-conception to think its just general exterior paint & decorators or artist brush. Its sign writing paint and a sign writing quill brush.
Once the painting of the property maintenance numbers are completed, the paint is given a little time to dry, but not fully dry as oil based paints taken a while to dry & cure.
The area around the numbers are cleaned with a wet wipe or sponge, which removes any markings made when measuring & using the template. The pillar is then completed
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Hand Painted Traditional & Contemporary Sign writing in London
Sign writer: Traditional Signs of London
info@traditionalsignsoflondon.uk