Bonnets – how do you fit your graphics?

[Harry Cleary]

I’d like to know how to do this too Mark.

[Lorraine Clinch]

Me too. Is there a percentage to use, or does it vary with every vehicle?

How do others do it-is it just trial & error?

[Mats Hindmo]

Some tips here maybe
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=19048&highlight=

[John Childs]

There was a thread on this a while back, and a search might find it, but basically what we do is….

For a one off:-

If we are feeling lazy it gets the frowny mouth look. Usually though we will distort the text by hand so that it looks about straight.

For volume:-

Make the graphics bent to compensate for the curve of the bonnet because it is quicker to fit. Every model of van is different in the bonnet curvature department and needs a different shape graphic. I could draw this scientifically, but it is usually just as quick to do it by trial and error.

[Peter Mindham]

Maybe time for a video demo on thgis subject perhaps?

Peter

[Brian Little]

if your talking text ….i always make slits about a couple of inches or so apart so that i can feed it round the curve ….im not saying its the answer …but it works for me 😀

[Kev Dunn]

Yes have tried this before bryan, Works well if youv’e got a straight eye… :lol1:

Kev

[Harry Cleary]

Any chance of a diagram Brian? I have to do one of these straight, have always cheated before and slanted them, but this client wants it straight.
Hate clients!!!

[Shane Drew]

quote Brian Little:

if your talking text ….i always make slits about a couple of inches or so apart so that i can feed it round the curve ….im not saying its the answer …but it works for me 😀

I do that too Brian. I have run a string line across the bonnet to get the line straight, or a laser level and mark it out with a chinagraph as well.

[Brian Little]

quote Shane Drew:

quote Brian Little:

if your talking text ….i always make slits about a couple of inches or so apart so that i can feed it round the curve ….im not saying its the answer …but it works for me 😀

I do that too Brian. I have run a string line across the bonnet to get the line straight, or a laser level and mark it out with a chinagraph as well.

..Transit vans the worse in the uk Shane…youve got to bend the line up to make it look straight .hey anyone remmember when the transit had that stupid ventilation grid on one side …oh no im getting old 😀 😀

[Janice LeBlanc]

Hey guys. We always adjust for curve. If it is a very small curve, you can slit the tranfer tape to apply, having a good eye. However, most vehicles (especially over in NA, are curved and have rounded contours these days) so if you don’t adjust the text it looks very off. As you say, an upside down smile. We do a paper layout first, changing the needle for the pen, and working the arc on the text until the curve appears correct. Then apply as usual. As for a mathmatical formula, there is none that I am aware of, because all vehicles differ. It is trial and error. However, it is important to make it look visually correct, or the customer isn’t happy and either are we.

Personally, I love it when we have older vehicles. They were nice and square, now they are all rounded and cutesy. A sign persons nightmare. Good luck.

Janice

[David Rogers]

quote Janice LeBlanc:

Personally, I love it when we have older vehicles. They were nice and square, now they are all rounded and cutesy. A sign persons nightmare. Good luck.

Janice

Ah, but the sides are nice and flat. None of that working over stupid panels and ‘window’ contours! I suppose I don’t mind losing a flat bonnet & gaining flat sides & rear. 😎

[Shane Drew]

Cutesy is my new favourite word 😮 Thanks Janice, I’ll be the only one using that down the pub. :lol1: Reckon it’ll turn some heads 🙄

[Garrie]

We normally curve upwards, so that it compensates for the downwards curve of the bonnet. Varies from 1.5" – 2" depending on vehicle.

HTH

Garrie & Susan