# How to apply lettering to kayak? **URL:** \ **Category:** Builder's Forum\ **Created:** [November 3, 2021, 1:42pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-to-apply-lettering-to-kayak/49144 "2021-11-03T13:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tjpdx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@tjpdx](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/tjpdx)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2021, 1:42pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-to-apply-lettering-to-kayak/49144/1 "2021-11-03T13:42:53Z")
I have been thinking I would like to include a name on the 16LT I am building.  Wondering if there is a cool way to get some cursive script under the finish.  I have know you can order vinyl lettering various places on line, but wondering if you can put it on the wood before fiberglass?  Or maybe on the epoxy before varnish? Slapping it on once the varnish is done is not appealing to me, and there is no way I am going to paint it on free hand. Appreciate any pointers/tips/advice.   ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Nye](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/forum.clcboats.com/mark_nye/32/18_2.png) [@Mark\_Nye](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Mark_Nye)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2021, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-to-apply-lettering-to-kayak/49144/2 "2021-11-03T14:57:06Z")
I would not want vinyl beneath the varnish because you may have adhesion problems.  You can put varnish over paint if you rough up the surface a bit first.  Most varnish has a bit of a brown tint so it would change the color of the paint.   The best/easiest way is to apply the vinyl letering after paint/varnish.  It is cheap and easy to apply.  It will look good for years and is easy to replace when it does start to look shabby. ![](https://live.staticflickr.com/7832/32162847607_493b701e11.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Andrew\_Bishop](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/forum.clcboats.com/andrew_bishop/32/1028_2.png) [@Andrew\_Bishop](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Andrew_Bishop)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 8:08am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-to-apply-lettering-to-kayak/49144/3 "2021-11-05T08:08:40Z")
   Or you could try the "rice paper under epoxy and fiberglass" method, discussed a couple of places in this forum, one of which is here: https://www.clcboats.com/forum/clcforum/thread/52621.html This is the approach used by surfboard makers - lots of stuff on youtube about it. Mine turned out nicely - I'll see if I can figure out how to post a picture!   ---
**Author:** ![tjpdx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@tjpdx](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/tjpdx)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2021, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-to-apply-lettering-to-kayak/49144/4 "2021-11-06T23:12:37Z")
   Thx for the suggestions, I am intrigued by the rice paper idea, will do some more reserach on that.  Will also keeep the vinyl lettering option in my back pocket in case nothing else works out.  I have ordered those for my fiberglass sailboat in the past and know what's involved there. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_Budge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e57/32.png) [@Joseph\_Budge](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Joseph_Budge)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-to-apply-lettering-to-kayak/49144/5 "2021-11-10T21:17:23Z")
I ordered lettering from drytransfer.com You supply them the art - lettering or graphics, it doesn't matter. I sent them a pdf in the font I wanted, generated from MS Word. Then you specify size and color. In a few days I received a dry transfer that you rub onto your hull. I applied a single coat of varnish with minimal sanding over the epoxy before putting on the transfer. Then seven coats of varnish over that. Worked like a charm.