Architecture know-it-alls?

April 21, 2008 5:50 PM

I need a printable blueprint with the usual blue-colored blueprint font. Nothing huge, just an 8-1/2 by 11 printed sheet will be all I need.

My son is getting his Master of Architecture in a few weeks and I am framing a picture of/for him. Can you help me find the just-right color of the blueprint and font? I've googled and most everything is too black-and-white, not that blue.

posted by wafaa to grab bag (6 comments total)

White on blue or blue on white?
posted by halogen at 6:01 PM on April 21

You could also search ebay for vintage blueprints like this one: much nicer than printing it yourself, in my opinion.
posted by halogen at 6:05 PM on April 21

The font you're looking for is probably "City Blueprint" which is what we usually use on AutoCAD. I know I've seen it for free on the interwebs but can't seem to google anything up at the moment. I'll keep on searching to see if I can find you a link.
posted by woolylambkin at 6:21 PM on April 21

This Autodesk thread has the font about halfway down as an attachment.
posted by woolylambkin at 6:36 PM on April 21

Thanks, halogen. Your first 2 links are kind of what I'm looking for. I have a picture of my son at age 4 drawing a building. I want to frame that picture using a blueprint either as the mat or actually covering the frame. Since I will be cutting the print-out into strips, I really don't need "quality", just something that speaks blueprint. Woolylambkin, that's the font, but I need it on an actual blueprint. I should have been more specific!
posted by wafaa at 3:27 AM on April 22

You could try an area architectural firm, contractor, or architecture school. They may be willing/able to give you a chunk of an old blueprint, or you could rummage through their trash ;).

Posting on Freecycle or craigslist might turn some up, too.
posted by chazlarson at 5:24 PM on July 30