darken letters after carving

[Wes]

Is there any other ways to darken letters other than painting? I use a lot of dark wood and the letters are hard to see.

[SteveNelson46]

Sometimes I use a magic marker (permanent) after a couple of coats of sanding sealer. Then the finish seals all.

[Tailmaker]

If the letters are protruding (not v-carved), you can carefully flame them.
But if the wood is already dark, making the letters darker may not work well, anyway.

[Pete Cyr]

After carving ...a couple coats of lacquer or shellac...dry...apply liquid shoe polish..like kiwi with the foam applicator on the bottle....spear it in to the letters....wipe off immediately with paper towels.

You may Have to sand lightly and recoat with lacquer shellac.

You don't have to wait for the polish to dry to sand and lacquer

[Charlie_l]

Charcoal pencil dust brushed into text and then sealed.

[wb9tpg]

Laser them. I’ve lasered stuff that was V carved and also raised 3D letters. Comes out great

[Wes]

Thanks for the help

[Rcnewcomb]

Seal and use gel stain.