Text on Messenger Bag
 

I've got a Chrome Metropolis bag (please save your applause) . . . and I want to write "CAR-FREE" across the main flap of the bag. Any ideas on how I can do this? I'm looking for a durable method. I can always resort to simply using a Marker, but I was hoping that there is a better way. BTW would reflective tape stick to the CORDUA (or whatever the material is) for a long time?

Could always stitch on a reflective panel...

Then again, my sewing skills would change the font! :D

Get a seamster/seamstress to embroider it. Shouldn't cost much, I could do it with one of my mom's sewing machine in less than 10 minutes.

Sewing sounds like a lot of fun, but the material is pretty thick. I'd prefer for it to be easily visible during day-light hours (in traffic, in midst of my commute)

just saying: I always find it stupidly righteous to do things like that. I think it's pretty obvious to car-commuters that I am car free since I'm out there every day. Also, a bike in itself is carfree. Compare somebody who is a 100%cyclist and 0%motorist but bikes 4 miles a day with someone who drives but logs in 10miles a day. Who then is advertising bike-as-alternate-transportation moreso? Does the phrase carfree seperate you from 'recreational' cyclists? whats wrong with recreational cyclists? I encourage anyone on a bike at all for any distance.
I have a spraypainted bike on my backpack and feel stupid when I wear it nowadays because it's obviously I love bikes, if you know me personally. And why do I want to convey thoughts to people I don't even know?

so um. I wasn't calling you out or assuming anything about you or saying you were making a bad decision.
I was just throwing thoughts out there before you do something you may regret.

I had the primitive hand and needle appraoch in mind, but the idea of having a pro with a machine do it makes a lot of sense.

Make sure it's in a gangsta Olde English font.

I want to have a dry erase panel on my bag where I can post the latest gas and peanut butter toast prices.

I see your point, and I've thought about it from your perspective. But, my reasoning is for it is to raise awarness. In my area a bicycle commuter who is able to afford a car is extremely rare. I simply want to show others (Explicitily) an example of an individual who is car-free in hopes opening their minds to the idea of bicycles. BTW I ride with a team on the weekends, so I'm exposed to the recreational/sport side of cycling, but still I want to advocate for self transportation via bike.

stencil + spraypaint
see $0.00/Gal

how does one go about seeing $0.00/Gal?

i second this

I say, go with the ol' vinyl boat lettering. Art supply stores carry them. They come in reflective, waterproof colors, and last forever. If you want to get all fashion icon on 'em, x-acto knife your own font, or print out your favorite font, stencil the words on the uncut sticky-backed vinyl, and there you go...

Way less ghetto-rigged than spraycan.

*clap clap clap clap clap*

I'm gonna get my tattoo artist to draw some asian traditional on the yellow stripe on my black and yellow Chrome kremlin with a few differnt colors of sharpies - I think it will look tight and i'm sure it will only take him like 15 minutes tops. Then when/if I get when I want another design I can simply wipe it of with some alcohol.

Not quite sure excactally what design but I will tell him to throw in some cogs and skulls ...etc.. I'll be sure to post pics when it's done.

that's what i read.

I like to promote bike culture even when I'm not on my bike and I like to promote it to anyone and everyone. I don't understand why you think one should limit that to only their friends. There's a difference between not being able to have a car and choosing not to have a car and I think it's a pretty powerful message to let people know that you're car free by choice. I say by all means do this Mehow and do it wth a stencil, some weak spray adhesive and some spraypaint.

a free car? i'll take it!

Make a stencil and spray paint. I did it and it has lasted. It will fade, but if you keep the stencil it's easy to re-apply.

sharpie

Use the blood of your enemies.

Any specific type of spray paint? would KRYLON work fine? Is there any prep. work involved, besides try to get the surface clean?

all about the Rusto!

What is "asian traditional"? Are those like chinese characters? Cause that would be totally ****ing rad! Oh man, the orient is so exotic.

Hahaha . . . . I have a can of that in that rusty redish/brown color, but I don't know if it would work.