motocross numbers printing tools?

[Mark Reader]

Hi mal
I use a Roland versacamm to print and find it works very well
on backgrounds,
not so well on the honda graphics because it cannot print a vivid enough red.
What vinyl and laminate do you use?

Yours Mark

[Stephen Morriss]

Hi

I’ve done a few KTM’s using my Cadet but I’ve not got the right vinyl, there was a thread about stickers for canoes a while back and some discussion on the very stick vinyl that’s made in America, don’t know who supplies in this country though but would like to know as I’d like to do a few more.

Steve

[Neil Thompson]

[steve geary]

I’m Kinda always looking for this stuff too. I race Motocross, and all my friends want me to do thier bikes. I never tried any of the thicker stuff, made for this, but i know of a few places to get it over here.
Over here there are so many places online to get them for as low as 30-40 bucks for three printed umber plate backrounds, that i just could never do a set for that cheap.
I usually just buy white or black blanks and put cast vinyl on top, saves the time of making the templates.
unless you’re going to go all the way and do all bikes, and sell on the web, i just can’t see how you can make any money at them.
Let me know how you make out….

steve

[Stephen Morriss]

Your right there Steve. Danger UK do the same over here and are very high quality as well.

The stuff with the 3m glue sounds like the one they use with the thick laminate.
I hear they are using a thinner laminate now though as they have changed their process, perhaps they have gone digital.

Steve

[Malcolm McMillan]

Thanks everyone,
Looks like this is a problem a lot of people have. The templates seem to be a problem for everyone. Is there a market for some whiz to create and sell templates to the printers?
Might be something in that.
in the meatime I’ll keep looking.
Cheers Malcolm

[Mark Reader]

(mod-edit) admin@uksignboards.com please read board rules

[Oliver Holmes]

quote Malcolm McMillan:

The templates seem to be a problem for everyone. Is there a market for some whiz to create and sell templates to the printers?

I’m looking into creating motocross backgrounds and race graphics at the moment, and this, along with which equipment to use, is one of my biggest confusions/problems.

If anyone knows where you can get the templates I would really appreciate the information.

Also if anyone can advise me as to the equipment I will need to produce these graphics I would be very grateful too. I’m a bit new to this, but willing to take any advice and suggestions.

Many thanks in advance.

[steve geary]

Here’s the quick version of what i know about them, but the material varies.
They’re Printed onto a vinyl that has aggressive adhesive designed for plastics, (3m) then laminated with a thick clear, from 6 to 10 mils (not millimeters, millions of an inch) most are 10.
Then die cut.
You can buy a set of blank backrounds for the number plates for $10 then scan them.
I have no idea if you could buy the templates from the manufacturer or not.
so many companies sell good stuff on the web, for a good price.. hard to compete.
I just buy blanks and cover them with cast….
here are some places to get them with some descriptions..

http://www.bikegraphix.com/index.asp?Pa … ategory=32

http://www.xgxracing.com/index2.html

steve

[Phil Price]

Hi,

There are quite a few companies here in the UK doing this type of work and in my opinion there are only two or three doing it well at the moment.

There are quite a few companies trying to get up to speed, but dabbling in this market can be costly. The materials are expensive and a lot of the ‘wannabees’ are having major problems with the materials delaminating after just a couple of uses (generally resulting in complaints from customers and in some cases money being refunded – either way, you don’t tend to get repeat business….just bad press!!)

If you seriously want to get into this market (where the design of the product can be as important as the performance of the material) maybe it would be better to deal with an established company and sub your designs out to them.

[Oliver Holmes]

Hi Steve, Thank you for your advice on the types of materials to use. And links to other companies making these graphics. I was actually thinking of going down the route of buying cheap templates and scanning them in. At the moment, I am only going to be creating graphics for myself and other member of our local club. My long term intention is obviously to see if I can sell them over the web. Web design isn’t a problem as this is what I studied at University and I have been working in the industry for 4 – 5 years now. Similarly the designs won’t be a problem either. My main problem is going to be getting my head round the whole printing and cutting process. (I won’t embarass myself by letting you all know how I’ve attempted this type of thing in the past).

Pancakedesigns, Thanks you also for your advice. I had thought about talking to other established companies, but I’m one of those types of people who likes to be in control and do it myself… I also seem to get most of the enjoyment out of trying and learning new skills.

I suppose my next question to you all is, what sort of machine should I be looking to buy?

I want to keep the costs down at the moment, but not to the detrament of the quality. Whilst I understand that ‘you get what you pay for’, I’m only doing this as a bit of a hobby to start with, then I will see how I get on and where I can go from there. I can see myself, once I get stuck in and enjoying it all, having to buy another, more robust/industrial machine in the future, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Thank you all for your help and advice.

[Phil Price]

Hi there,

Historically people have used Gerber Edges or Roland ColorCAMMs (PC60/600) for this work, mainly because of the golds and silvers available for these machines.

But more recently (I think) the larger companies have been moving more towards the Solvent type machines.

As a start up, I would imagine you’d need to invest around about 3-5K for a 2nd user edge or decent ColorCAMM (and then there’s the learning curve that goes with it!!!)

In all honesty you would be far better approaching someone like DangerUK or Stickerman to see what they’d charge you. If you go it alone you could end up spending the best part of a year just finding the right materials.

Phil

[Neil Thompson]

I would agree with that.

You could try Durographics/dangerireland in N.Ireland, they are doing a great job with graphics at the moment for MX, and may be interested in the trade supply.

Regards

Neil

[Mark Reader]

Hi
There is a place in America that sells the mx templates i bought a set and they are very good.
The materials i use are available here in the UK a 6mil matte white and a 12mil Laminate i use a versacamm with aftermarket inks
the standard inks are no good because you cannot obtain a decent red for Hondas etc,

[Oliver Holmes]

quote enigmasinz:

Hi
There is a place in America that sells the mx templates i bought a set and they are very good.
The materials i use are available here in the UK a 6mil matte white and a 12mil Laminate i use a versacamm with aftermarket inks
the standard inks are no good because you cannot obtain a decent red for Hondas etc,

Hello,

Would you mind posting a link to the US site where I can buy these templates?

Many thanks,
Oliver.

[Mark Reader]

Sorry i dont think say on this forum you can ring me
01704545644