how do i line up text which is being applyed on a slant?

[Phill Fenton]

Chances are if you try and run it level using a spirit level it will end up looking slanted to the eye anyway if the hoarding isn’t level. I would just follow the level of the hoarding. It’s easier too – just measure down a set amount from the top.

There’s a section of road in Scotland near Ayr called the "Electric Brae". It’s a roadway that slopes downhill, but because of the surrounding features it looks like its actually sloping uphill. If you stop your car and then release the handbrake you will get a sensation of rolling uphill.

Dunno why I’m telling you this – I just though it was interesting 😕

[Adam Triggs]

Cheers for the advice Phil,

And

We’ve got one of those hill’s near me called creepy hill.

[Martin Pearson]

Same as Phill, I would just go with the line of the existing facia board. What you can do if you are not sure is to quickly tack it in place. Step back and see how it looks before you actually apply it, if it doesn’t look right you can moving it a bit to see if it looks any better. Takes a bit more time but at least that way you know in your own mind that you have done the best you can. Check any other shops in the street as well to see how they have been done as that will also give you a pretty good idea how it will look.

[Adam Triggs]

Cheers Martin,

As always the UKSB saves my sanity on a sunday….. 😀

[Robert Lambie]

as has been said go with the hording.
however, hording tends to be up and down with each panel…
i would suggest going to b&q and buying a chalk line/level. costs about £10 at most.
easier of you have two people for this but easy enough on your own too…
make a mark on your first board, for talking sake 2ft down from the top. then hook or pin one side of the chalk line on that mark, walk about four boards along and on the same mark down, press the line with a finger onto the second mark but at same time pulling the line taught.
has you do this, using your free hand, pull the line/string back and ping it against the board. you will now be left with a chalk line the full length of the four boards.
you can now walk across the road and have a look even before you apply any text and see if you think the line is running true. if it is, continue along the full length with the chalk line.
by the end you will see clearer if any bits need altered before doing anything.

i would do a tester if its wood hording because chalk tends to get caught in the grain of the wood if it isn’t painted correct.

(please check when you buy the chalk level/line that it comes with chalk inside it. some comes separate. also make sure the chalk is a different colour to the boards.)

if the wood/hording is holding the chalk don’t use it as it can be difficult to wipe off. not as easy a solution but works just the same.
do the same as above with marks and run a 2inch wide length of masking tape the length of the boards.

(also, check with a cutting of vinyl that the vinyl will actually stick to the boards. vinyl will only stick properly if the boards are smooth or if they have a nice gloss coat on top.)
heating the vinyl after application will help adhere the vinyl to the board once the tape has been removed.

[Jason Xuereb]

In regards to Roberts tip to using the chalk line. I do the same thing but without chalk. I tape a piece of string line up. If you want to adjust it you don’t have to wipe the chalk off and can easily adjust it from one end.

You can also leave it up to line up text etc cause its easy to go under it if you use a top hinge method of applying your text.

[Adam Triggs]

Cheers Rob and jxuereb,

I’m applying today, Bit nervous, but hey, there only ever one first time at everything right. 😕

And as always I love being outside my comfort zone as it means I’m learning something. (-)

I’ll take a pic and add the this posting if you like.

Cheers
Adam

[Peter Normington]

quote Adam Triggs:

Cheers for the advice Phil,

And

We’ve got one of those hill’s near me called creepy hill.

Is that the one near Hemel Adam?
Peter

[Adam Triggs]

Hi Peter,

Its near warboys in cambridgeshire, In the middle of nowhere.

Cheers
Adam

[Lynn Normington]

well come on Adam how did it go 🙄

Lynn

[Adam Triggs]

Hi Lynn

I’m Pleased to say that they added another 2 big signs to the order. 7m x 2.4m and 3.6m x 2.4m in cut vinyl and a digital print of a car.

Been cutting and sticking to app tape all day. Just finished and am packing my bags to leave for London at 6am tomorrow, so I can have full day of it.

I will have some pics tomorrow night. Bit gutted really, It looks like rain tomorrow 🙁
no application fluid required then.

Wish me luck.
Cheers
Adam

[Lynn Normington]

good luck Adam, but I would recommend dry application (you can’t help the rain of course) if you are sticking to wood if you use app fluid there is the danger of the wood absorbing it and making your vinyl non stickable !!!! do it dry we tend to do every thing dry it’s quicker and easier 😀 look forward to the pics

Lynn

[Adam Triggs]

Hi Lynn,

Thanks of the tips. We’re putting it straight onto 2bond which we mounted onto the hoarding. So it should apply easily.

Now, you mentioned wood, Will Vinyl stick to it OK ? I’m using mac 9800 at the moment.

Cheers
Adam

[Lynn Normington]

Adam if the wood is good ie: smooth and painted no problem 😀 as long as paint wasn’t applied an hour ago !!! nice smooth and very dry, don’t know what 2bond is ?? mac 9800 is an excellent vinyl do it dry !!!

Lynn

[Adam Triggs]

Hi ALl,

what a day,

Left a 5am yesterday, arrived in London by 7. The Trial by fire started followed by this range of emotions.
😮 Ho My god
😉 This is going to be OK
🙂 Yeah I can Do this
😀 That looks Great
🙁 Ahhhhh
👿 Grrrrrr
😕 Well if I just
😛 Ta Dah

And finally 😀 when the client saw and said, that look great, I’ll sort the invoice out.

On a vinyl note, baring in mind this was my first vinyl install, I had some problems with bubbles, big ones I sorted, small ones I couldn’t get rid of. I’m sure some practice will help. but are there any top tips in applying or is it down to practice and Alchemy 😉 Does anyone offer on site training?

Also, can someone tell me how do I upload picks ? and I’ll show you my first attempt at a sign.

Cheers
Adam