Making your own reflective chevron kits?

[David Hammond]

Nope, buy them in ready to fit. We do a fair few over the year too.

I’ve a friend who’s making up 100’s of chevron boards, even with the amount of material he’s buying, and the price he’s paying it still wouldn’t be worth me doing myself the price I’m getting finished kits.

The time to template, cut weed, etc, I’d rather just buy it in ready to fit, and get on with something else.

[Mark Johnston]

fair enough mate, but we occasionally get asked to do batches of vans and machines. it would be good to just stick them on the machine and do them ourselves.

is there nowhere to buy artwork for them or is that a daft question? 😕

[David Hammond]

If it’s batches, for me I’d still buy it in, probably at a better rate than single kits.

I can usually order a kit and have it next day if needed, I doubt even producing in house I could do it as quick, without taking me away from other stuff, and the interruptions I get.

[Gordon Smithard]

I might be wrong but I always thought that this stuff (mainly the red) needs sealing after cutting, which is why it’s easier to buy pre made kits.

[David Hammond]

Some do, others don’t. I have made kits for Grab Trucks in the past using an Avery material (not engineering grade) that don’t require sealing. Aura can for example be cut on a plotter.

[Joe Killeen]

Hi Mark

For the common vehicles its more cost effective to buy in and leaves you free to do other jobs, for one off machines make your own templates but this takes a lot of time, I have seen myself spend a day to two days doing kits for a one off vehicle/machine and you just have to make sure you tell the customer before hand that this is time consuming before you start, its hard to up a price after the job is done.

Charge enough to cover yourself and discount after if you want, I make good money doing one off chevrons some I even do on site by hand cutting on a table beside the vehicle/machine.

It’s your business, do what works best for you.

[David Hammond]

^^ THIS ^^

Some would say I’m lazy, I’d rather pack up and go home, doing artwork, catching up on the accounts and let a supplier do the work, than spend hours cutting them.

In addition if there’s an issue with the kit, provided I’ve asked for the right one, the onus is on the supplier. Provided I’m making a fair margin, for the time and effort I’m putting in I’m happy.

[Karen White]

Not that I do lots of these, but William Smith is great for this type of thing. 👍