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Can anyone suggest any books or dvd’s. (learning signmaking)
Newbie
Looking to learn as much as possible about sign-making & vinyl cutting. Can anyone suggest any good books, mags, or DVDs (on sign making!!)that are on the market at the moment. I have the enthusiasm just need the knowledge.
Thanks for all your help so far.
Colin
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11 Replies
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I’m sure there’ll be something out there, but I’m sure most of us here have just ‘learned it on the job’. Every single person here will have a slightly different technique that works for them….but are willing to accept & try new ideas.
Very often the more experienced work dry most of the time, but that’s not a rule – some just prefer wet applications. Some work by bunching up all the parts of the same colour prior to cutting to save vinyl – but then manually space the lines of text (god knows why!), where others will optimise the cuts but keep at least two fixed edges of the sign blank to register the job, giving accuracy & speed.
It’s the same with clear (plastic) or paper application tape. I can’t stand the clear – others swear by it. Weeding – I seen everything from pins, tweezers, craft knifes & stanley blades being used – but most will spend £5 and get a proper scalpel with ’10a’ or ’11’ blades. Squeegees – hard or soft, plastic or felt – personal choice.
I was sent a vinyl application CD with tutorials – I laughed at some of the ideas knowing my way works better (for me), but conceeded that it’s something developed by yourself. Even when you’ve been given basic training – you (if so driven) will find better, faster, more reliable ways to produce good results through experience.
Get your inspiration from what you see – push you own limits when you can. Have confidence that you CAN do it. When genuinly stuck, after trying it yourself first, never be afraid to ask questions, even when you know the answer will be basic & obvious. We all started somewhere.
I’ve been at this for about 11years now and I’m still learning – there are those who’ve made a lifetime career of signwriting & making, and they get stumped from time to time. No matter what our experience we all have something to add to the skill base
Anyway – read every manual, click every icon, press every button 😕 you’ll never know what you or your kit can do otherwise!
Dave
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Well, I would also suggest having a look through the main page on the site at http://www.uksignboards.com/index.php , at the bottom right is an arrow, if you click that you will go back through our headlines which include the step-by-step and video demos that have been done here. The demonstration sections do contain quite a bit.
To access it you will need to become Silveror Goldmember of the boards. -
well said DR….that about sums it up 😉
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The absolute most important part of signmaking is learning good layout skills.
Get yourself a copy of Mike Steven’s MASTERING LAYOUT.
Available thru http://www.signcraft.com/
It’s also a great magazine.
For vinyl application tips this site is your best bet.
Love….Jill -
Thanks all
I agree with you Dave we all need to find our own technique. I find it helps me if i have a range of ideas and opinions to mull over & try. I have been involved in the print industry for about 12 years, now large format ink-jet but up til now no vinyl or sign work. I would like to add these services to my portfolio hence my thirst for knowledge. I am one of those people who has to learn and practice a lot before saying I can offer this service. Lots of free-bees for my mates etc.
I joined as a uksg member which I thought would allow me access to all areas of this site being the most expensive option so perhaps someone can explain what I am doing wrong.
Jill thanks I will check out that site.
Thanks for all your help and advice so far I think I am going to like this site.
Colin
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Have you applied for a membership? If you’ve paid up, (Bronze/Silver/Gold/UKSB) Rob will activate it in about 24hrs. If not, just drop him a friendly line as most likely he’s been busy/swamped with other work.
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quote Jill Marie Welsh:The absolute most important part of signmaking is learning good layout skills.
Get yourself a copy of Mike Steven’s MASTERING LAYOUT.
Available thru http://www.signcraft.com/
It’s also a great magazine.
For vinyl application tips this site is your best bet.
Love….JillHey Jill, may I bother you wit a little favour…
I´ve heard/read about this Signcraft magafine, but I´ve never seen an issue. Could you send me a copy, so I could go through it before subsribing it. I know nobody here in Finland who reads it and it´s pretty expensive to order it to be mailed here.
Naturally, I´ll pay all the costs… -
You need to email the editor, Tom McIltrot.
I’m sure he would send you a sample.
signcraft@signcraft.com
You see, I simply can’t part with a single issue!
Believe me, it is well worth the price or I wouldn’t push it so much.
I didn’t realize that you were from Finland.
Are you familiar with Pekka Mannermaa?
He is the coolest pinstriper ever!
A real nice guy to meet, too.
Love….Jill -
David
I have tried e-mailing twice but no reply. I have signed up as uksb member and have paid. I seem to be able to view more than I could before I subscribed but not the bits that look really interesting. I have noticed that some members are gold & uksb members and perhaps that was the reason. Anyway perhaps someone can let me know.
Colin
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quote Jill Marie Welsh:You need to email the editor, Tom McIltrot.
I’m sure he would send you a sample.
signcraft@signcraft.com
You see, I simply can’t part with a single issue!
Believe me, it is well worth the price or I wouldn’t push it so much.
I didn’t realize that you were from Finland.
Are you familiar with Pekka Mannermaa?
He is the coolest pinstriper ever!
A real nice guy to meet, too.
Love….JillThe flag didn´t give it away then, did it 😉
Okay Jill, I hear you. I also have a lot of magazines I can´t let go…
I´ll try to get a sample elsewhere. Thanks anyway.PS.
I don´t know Mannermaa, but I´ve seen his work, me being a fan of old american cars. -
Marko, Signcraft is a fantastic magazine.
Doesn’t cost alot for 1 years subscription so go for it.
Taking it for 10 years and never been dissapointed with an issue, I’ve even got older issues from the 80’s.
Neil 😀
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