Suggestions or recommendations for "best" paper stock to use for repro dial card

[mssusr9501]

I just acquired a WE 554 A/B, looks like it was built in 1959 based on the baseplate date.
I would like to replace the original dial card with one showing my own area code and number.

I have tried using regular inexpensive 20# paper to print my own but am not happy with the results.
Anyone have a suggestion on better paper or card stock to use to be a little closer to original?

Also any suggestions on font to use or is everyone using images rather than a editor font?  I tried courier figuring a typewriter font would be pretty close to original

Thanks for any suggestions and/or comments.  New to the forum and learning the ropes.
Bruce

[jsowers]

Bruce, I used card stock, which is about 65#. Originally the Bell System number cards were light gray in 1959 and came in strips. At that time they made both the cards with an exchange name and the newer version with 2L5N and sometimes an area code, though those were used more in the early 1960s. If you know your exchange name, then by all means use that. Mine was REgent back in the day. I have lots of phones from 1959 and most have exchange name cards if they're original.

Mostly I printed out cards from the telephone archive site: http://www.telephonearchive.com/numbercards/

Others will be able to help with font type and size. You will have to manual feed the card stock into your laser printer and some handle it better than others. I honestly haven't tried with my HP laser at home. It's also best to experiment with regular paper and save the card stock for the finished product. It's a bit pricey.

The light gray cards quickly faded to a buff color, so if you want to get that, it may be cheaper and more available. Most people won't care. Good luck with your 554 and welcome to the forum.

[TelePlay]

You will have to manual feed the card stock into your laser printer and some handle it better than others.

Yes, and my laser printer, a lower end Samsung, has a problem with card stock, the fuser does not set the toner so the printed image will smear if touched. Even after changing the printer settings to "card stock." Seems the fuser does not get hot enough to heat the card stock to a setting temperature.

I've had to use a regular iron set on high to fuse loose toner (place a sheet of 20# over the images to be set and heat the back side of the cardstock, not directly on the image).