How to make Tracksmith poster stamps

This was originally part of an end-of-year 2023 Instagram post.

At the 2023 San Francisco Marathon, I used a poster board and just rearranged plastic numbers as people came back to the Run365 tent.  Inspired by @kimberleehowley, here's how I made stamps for Tracksmith-like time posters for our local, very non-major races like the Berkeley Half:

Step 1: From an art, hobby, or crafts store like @scrapsf, acquire some foam (or rubber) strips. 🎨

Step 2: The closest match of the Tracksmith's font seemed to be Jersey M54, a font available for free.  Print out a sheet of numbers three inches tall to fit within common ink pads.  You can skip "9" with an upside-down "6".

Step 3: Make a stencil for each number.  Save the cut-out numbers as they're still needed. 🔪

Step 4: Cut foam numbers using the stencils (and cut-out numbers). ✂

Step 5: Chop wood into blocks. 🪓

Step 6: Glue the foam numbers flipped onto the backs of wood blocks. 🪞

Step 7: On the front side of the wood blocks, trace the number that will be stamped in the exact alignment of the underside foam. 🖊

Step 8: Design a blank sheet with colons and stamp away! 🖨️

Maybe you'll see them at a local race in 2024. 😇