The Letterville BullBoard: FIRE DEPARTMENT LETTERING

This is topic FIRE DEPARTMENT LETTERING in forum Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk at The Letterville BullBoard.

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Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :

I am dipping my toe once again into the pool of knowledge that is Letterville. [Smile]

I'd like a concensus among all of you who regularly work on fire trucks & equipment. Which font do you prefer? I have worked for many fire departments, and they all have a different look. If you were starting to work with an engine company from scratch, which font would you promote? Just curious. [Confused]

Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :

All Caps Curved Brush Script.

Actually our FD is Boring. They require Times Bold.

Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :

For font choices, you may find this useful.... http://lionet.com/products/lettering.htm

Posted by Tim Barrow (Member # 576) on :

Traditionally most of the departments around here use an extended variation of egyptian with an outline and drop shade

Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :

Rick, the pool of knowledge gets a bit murky at times. In OZ, it,s probably got big crocs in it too. So watch your toes !

Just take my humble advice ... DON'T use Brush Script, all caps in an arc!
[Rolling On The Floor]

Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :

When you say "from scratch" ... do you mean a new fire company or do you mean the 1st time working for them?

MOST fire companies already have a style on all their other equipment ... and you must match the style and colors.

[I Don t Know]

Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :

I used LHF Hensler, and a distorted version of it as well....

Designed this up for the local trucks....

Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :

i have used optima outlined bolder and stretched it.turned out ok

Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :

From scratch means that it is a "from now on" thing. They want to make the department consistant as equipment gets replaced.

Thank you for your input so far. [Thanks]

Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :

Although I have no clue what a firetruck is after working on them for over 30 years. I have found that Si is correct in stating that most fire departments have a lettering style that they have used on their fleet and usually like to continue along that trend. However if your looking for other ideas, you could search the internet for firetruck manufacturer websites and see their recent deliveries for examples of many different ideas, some even crazy ideas. One font I do know was used alot was a Letterheads Font called "Smalts." That style was used alot over the years by a few manufacturers as their standard.

Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :

Harris

I knew you'd know. Thank you all for your help
[Thanks]

Posted by Tim Barrow (Member # 576) on :

Smalts is basically an extended egyptian,...I have my own version I digitized quite some time back from a carriage stripers handbook called broadgage,....rick check your email

[ May 15, 2011, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: Tim Barrow ]

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