Burning letters to wood is a creative way to decorate any wood surface. This is also a great way to mark your belongings. If you want to stamp letters onto wood, prepare the surface, get the right tools, and prepare the design. Once that's done, you can use a wood burner to write down any words you want.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Surface
Step 1. Choose wood
All wood surfaces can be burned. However, some woods are better than others. Bright, soft woods work great, such as bass. This is because the burn marks are very noticeable on the brightly colored wood and you don't have to press too hard to make the stamp.
Wood with a few grooves is also suitable for burning. The grooves in the wood cause the burnt line to stand out and the results are inaccurate. Wood with less grooves allows you to draw smoother, more accurate lines
Step 2. Prepare the wood surface
When burning wood, you should always start with a smooth, sanded surface. Rough wood surfaces can still be burned, but a smooth surface allows you to draw more easily and the end result is neat and clear.
Smooth all layers on the wood surface. Burning wood with paint or stain can produce toxic fumes that should not be inhaled
Step 3. Use a template or draw letters freely on the wood
The easiest way to transfer a design to wood is to draw it with a pencil. You can do this manually, or use a template or stencil for more accurate results.
You can write the letters manually with a wood burner. However, it will be easier if you follow a pattern to follow when starting to burn wood
Step 4. Trace the design onto the wood
Create a design on paper or on a computer and trace it onto a wooden surface. Start by drawing the design on paper or create it on a computer before printing later. Then, place a sheet of carbon paper on the wood, and place your design on the carbon paper. Use a pencil or stylus to trace the design onto the wooden surface.
When placing the carbon paper on wood, make sure that the carbon side of the paper is facing the wood, while the normally glossy side of the paper is facing up
Step 5. Use the image transfer soldering iron
This is the technique when you transfer photocopied images to wood using wood-burning solder. Purchase an image shifter for your soldering iron, which is sold specifically to apply this technique. Simply place the paper with the drawing side facing the wood. Then, gradually heat the back of the paper with the image transfer eye. The heat from the solder releases the ink from the copy paper and transfers it to the wood surface.
- This process can only be done by photocopying. You cannot apply this technique if you only have an ink jet printer.
- You will need to use a special eye to solder the wood burner. If the soldering iron does not have one of these points, contact the manufacturer to inquire about its availability.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Equipment
Step 1. Buy a soldering iron
There are many different types of wood-burning solder available on the internet and electronics or craft stores. Wood burners are usually equipped with a stand, a heat regulator, and a variety of eyes. If you're new to wood burning, it's best to get the most basic model so you don't waste a lot of money if you don't like burning wood.
The price of wood burner solder can vary drastically depending on the level of heat that can be generated and the type of heat control available. You can buy a regular wood-burning solder for Rp. 600,000. However, the price of a high quality wood burner can reach IDR 3,000,000
Step 2. Select the eye to use
Many wood burner solders come with a variety of points to attach to the burner. These eyes usually have a variety of sizes to choose from. In general, if you want to create a detailed design, use small eyes. If you're making the letters bigger and bolder, choose bigger eyes.
- In addition to the large and small eyes, there are additional eyes of various shapes to create different types of lines. For example, there is a wood-burning solder tip that is in the form of water drops to create shadows. There is also a soldering iron for making straight, wedge-shaped lines and points on the sides.
- Once the solder has heated up, use the pliers to replace the eye. Thus, the hand does not directly touch the hot iron.
Step 3. Consider using a special soldering iron
Some wood-burning solders have a special eye that is usually used for branding. This soldering iron has a design on the surface that can be burned into wood like tasting. In some cases, these special eyes are letters. If any eye of this type fits your project, use it for clearer and faster results.
If you use this particular eye, you will have to switch eyes to taste each letter. Do it carefully, and don't forget to use pliers because the soldering iron is very hot
Step 4. Heat the soldering iron
Connect the soldering power cable and heat it for a few minutes. Read the soldering iron manufacturer's manual to find out how long the soldering iron can wait. Heat the solder before use so that the results are neater and clearer.
If the soldering iron has heat control, make sure it is set to your preferred heat. If you want to create a clear outline, usually the solder is heated to a temperature of 370 Celsius. If you just want to cast a little shadow, set the soldering iron to a more moderate temperature
Part 3 of 3: Using Wood Burning Solder
Step 1. Hold the solder firmly, but press it against the wood
You should grip the solder firmly while burning the wood so it doesn't slip and hurt you. However, you don't need to press hard against the wood. Solder that is hot enough to burn wood without pressing hard.
However, you can vary the soldering pressure on the wood to produce a variety of wood-burning effects. For example, you can press the solder harder on a dark part of the design
Step 2. Move the solder consistently across the wood surface
When it starts to burn, move the solder constantly to keep the line consistent. If the speed varies, the thickness of the combustion line is also different. This is because the slower you move, the longer the solder burns the wood.
It usually takes practice to create a consistent line. If you're worried about not being able to create smooth lines, practice your technique on scrap wood before moving on to the original project
Step 3. Trace the letters
Start the burning process by tracing the outline of the letters. Move the solder smoothly and don't stop in the middle of the line. For consistent, smooth lines, start and end strokes only at the eye of the letter.
For example, the letter O must be done in one stroke. The letter R can be done in three strokes: a vertical line, a curve at the top, and a leg at the bottom right
Step 4. Adjust the soldering temperature
If you feel that the lines are too light or dark, try adjusting the soldering temperature. The temperature required will depend on the technique and the type of wood used, so you will need to experiment a bit to find the results you want.
If the soldering iron does not have a temperature control knob, the soldering temperature is difficult to adjust. For this type of soldering, you will need to wait for the solder to heat up again if the heat subsides after a few strokes before you can proceed with the project
Step 5. Fill in the letters
If your design has bold letters, sometimes you may need to go back and center the letters after you've outlined the shapes. You just need to press lightly again and stroke smoothly like making a shape line.
Make sure you wear big eyes if you want to fill large areas. If you use a small eye to fill in a large area, it will take a long time to complete and the resulting color will likely be inconsistent
Step 6. Add details to the design
Once the letters are burned on the wood, try to add extra decorations. Draw swirls or tiny flowers to spice up your design.
