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How would you do this?

Posted by John Harding on 2 December 2004 at 11:49

a prospective client wants a digital print in the main panels of his merc vito as shown, would you print and cut to shape and apply (if so has anyone got the newest vito outline or would you print oversize and trim up on the vehicle, if so any tips for a nice finish

Thanks John

Attachments:

vito.psd

John Harding replied 21 years ago 4 Members · 8 Replies
8 Replies

Shane Drew

Member
2 December 2004 at 11:56

John, I’d overprint and trim on the vehicle.

Gives you the best chance of a perfect fit, as long as you have a steady hand.

Cheers
Shane
Mike Grant

Member
2 December 2004 at 21:00

I don’t like cutting on the vehicle so I always make a paper template from the vehicle.
I don’t trust vehicle outlines, havn’t yet had one that is really true to scale.
John Harding

Member
3 December 2004 at 11:21

Thanks Mike and Shane, Shane I presume you stick the vinyl down and trust your pressure on the knife not to go through the paintwork, do you run the blade around against a straight edge or purly freehand?

John
Shane Drew

Member
3 December 2004 at 11:38

Hi John,

To be honest I just do it freehand, but having done this type of thing for over 10 years, I accept that I may be more experienced than others.

A straight edge is good, but you do run the risk of it slipping unless it has a rubber base.

If you are a bit worried about getting a ‘smooth’ line, I would run some sign writers tape around the area you are thinking of cutting. When you are happy with the line, use it as a guide.

Use a new blade, and a very light pressure. To keep the cut as smooth as you can, try to cut faster rather than slower. The slower you go the less likely you are to have a clean line. (every time you stop you will tend to go off line or dip)

Hope that helps John.

Just remember, with a new blade, you will require almost no pressure for it to cut. Let the blade do the work.

Cheers
Shane
Chris Wool

Member
3 December 2004 at 11:49

strips of magnetic help os a edge to cut to with panel edge cutting
John Harding

Member
3 December 2004 at 12:57

Thanks Shane & mr sticker I was quite confident anyway, but these tips alleviates my concerns as to whether I was approaching this the right way.

John 😀
Shane Drew

Member
3 December 2004 at 13:09

Sorry John, didn’t mean to come across like you did not know what you were doing.

Please accept my apologies, it was unintentional. It is nearly midnight here, and I am keeping an eye on the boards while I work 🙄 Think I should call it a night and get some shut eye 😥

Cheers
Shane
John Harding

Member
3 December 2004 at 13:45

hey shane no offence taken, your advice is invaluable, thats why I like signboards, I work alone most of the time and its nice to know I am tackelling projects the right way :thumbsup:

Thanks again