• Vinyl

  Use a Laser Level for Straight Sign Writing

  Posted by Brenda O' Connor on 22 June 2011 at 15:40

  Hi
  I have just started sign writing and am doing a good few cars and van.
  My big problem is with vans/cars that do not have a straight line, I know you just have to use your eye but i am always too nervous and spend hours lining up the graphics. Is there any tips on doing this quicker?

  One idea I had was of using a laser level? Anyone any opinions on this…

  Robert Kulawik replied 14 years, 3 months ago 5 Members · 5 Replies
• 5 Replies

• 

  Jill Marie Welsh

  Member

  22 June 2011 at 16:00

  Hi Brenda.
  I think it would be a mistake. I have learned, after 26 years, to just trust my eyeballs.
  I’m excellent at optically centering and leveling things at this point.
  Of course, you will get the odd customer who tries to prove you wrong.
  I find the area that looks the most level to me, then base all my other graphics off of that edge.
  (when dealing with a wonky new vehicle)
  On regular looking truck doors I tend to go from the bottom up.
  Usually there is a straight piece of molding, or even the bottom of the door itself, to go from.
  Love….Jill

• 

  David-Foster-

  Member

  22 June 2011 at 16:18

  Hi Brenda
  When you say sign writing, do you mean with a brush? I think your hands would cause shadows and get in the way of the line.
  I have a laser level on a tripod. I use it in a room for aligning graphics all at the same height on all the walls. Outside would be too bright to see a laser level line clearly.

• 

  David Rowland

  Member

  22 June 2011 at 17:13

  if ur talking about vinyl with tape, then u just tape it to the vehicle before u apply it

• 

  Peter Normington

  Member

  22 June 2011 at 19:56

  quote Dave Rowland:

  if ur talking about vinyl with tape, then u just tape it to the vehicle before u apply it

  Dave
  bletchley park would have trouble deciphering your words mate!

  Laser levels just dont work with vehicles.
  decide on a line that looks straight. it can be the bottom of the sill, or a panel swage. but the secret is like Jill says, to make sure all text line up, with the same datum, exept when your design has slanting text obviously.
  stand back and look at it before applying, if it looks right, it usually is

  Peter

• 

  Robert Kulawik

  Member

  23 June 2011 at 10:42

  quote Peter Normington:

  quote Dave Rowland:

  if ur talking about vinyl with tape, then u just tape it to the vehicle before u apply it

  Dave
  bletchley park would have trouble deciphering your words mate!

  …
  Peter

  Peter,

  But they’ve built Enigma copy, haven’t they? (or should I rather say, to keep up with the modern flow: them boys actually build that thing alrite, innit?).

  staoairhtdatashtrbiag – Sometimes Typing Abbreviations Or Acronyms Is Really Hard To Do, Also They Are Sometimes Hard To Read But It’s All Good

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