Infills on CNC routing add texture and create interest

One of the techniques Dayna Reed [creator of the 3D Signs Made Easy and the More Super Cool 3D Signs videos] has used to add extra interest to his 3D signs is infilling portions of his CNC-routed graphics. Sometimes it is the center of a letter or graphic; other times it’s the entire background.

For well over a hundred years, sign painters have used smalt (also called osmalto) backgrounds to add texture to the backgrounds of flat painted signs. They applied a coat of thick, slow-drying paint, then shook on colored sand or ground glass and let it dry. (To learn more, read the late Rick Glawson’s explanation at Artisan Signs.)

Sand and glass smalts, roofing granules, crushed glass, seashells—just about any such material can be bonded to the HDU to add texture and color to the sign. You can also just partially fill an area with polyester resin, with pigment added to it, to get a very smooth look as Dayna did here on the Crazy Horse Golf Club sign.