How would you stain this?

[jussi]

How would you stain something like this so that the lettering had a darker stain than the rest of the plaque? What would you suggest doing to ensure neither of the stains bleed into each other?

[leehljp]

I am interested to see what others have to say.

For me, I would seal the whole sign with a sealer,
then after dry, paint (spray the letters) let it dry,
then sand the top to clear the paint from the face/surface of the sign board.

This is basically how I saw it done may years ago.

[Richard in Smithville]

I agree with Hank. It would be very difficult not to have it bleed otherwise.

[chopnhack]

If the letters were drawn from a stencil or if you could create the letters from a 1/4" hardboard and use it as a mask, it would greatly reduce the sanding involved.

[cabinetman]

If the letters and the outer detail is routed into the wood, I agree with Richard, who agrees with Hank.
.