"John" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 3 Jul 2004 10:44:47 +0100, Kay
wrote:

In article , Franz Heymann
writes

I have taken the bird by the horns and have made a number of
8"
long prospective labels from 1 cm half-round hardwood moulding.
So
far I have painted the working surface white with a waterbased
primer.

Now comes the problem of putting the name on the label. In
days
of yore, one used to buy a bottle of Hartleys black ink and wrote
the
name, using an old-fashioned steam pen. The labels used to last
for
many seasons. I don't see the ink for sale any more, and the
rubbish
which garden centres sell as waterproof pens produce neat writing
which does not survive the first winter. The stuff sold as Indian
ink
for use in draughtsmen's pens also wash off as soon as you spit on
it.

So here is my question: What do I do to write on my
well-designed
labels which will last for at least three seasons?

What about sing one of those pyrography pens which people use to
burn
designs on to wood? They're not outrageously expensive nowadays.
=============================================
The Pyrographt Pen seems to be a good idea. I looked them up on
the internet and found - what I consider to be a cheap source - at

http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?part=020301

To go a step further though; I wonder if the pen will
work on plastic?

Thanks for the URL. I have just ordered one, and will post my
experience with it soon after it has arrived.

For a long time I've used sliced up washing-up liquid bottles for
labels - to the appropriate shape - and written on them in
'permanent' marker.

To combine the two methods may be worth trying, but experience
of this news group has shown me that most things have already been
tried by some other 'Urg.' So I'd appreciate your input.

Franz