Van Graphics: Kathleens

[Carrie Brown]

Hi there mate,

well what can i say, great looking design, nice and clean, modern, looks great! you should be proud of yourself 🙂

Well your production and labour times will reduce with time as there are always little knacks you pick up on the way to take onto your next vehicle, working with shaped panels and larger graphics are different to a flat sign panel. I think my first van probably took us that long to do to be honest, you’ll find in time you could shave that time in half. 🙂 .

Take care

Stephen & Carrie

[Shane Drew]

Mate, I would not have thought that 7 hours to do everything was not too shabby. :thumbup2: You will get quicker of course, speed comes with confidence.

Don’t skimp in the cleaning process though, because any corners cut there will surely bite your later.

Well done.

Shane

[Steve Broughton]

Nice mate, why no phone number on the side?? it all looks ok apart from the rear door, not liking the logo going into the gutters I know you have to do it in the middle but it looks as though you’ve cut it too big.
Also the phone number I’d have done pink too.

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I like it.
It’s simple and not all cluttered up.
And pink is my favorite color.
Constructive critz would be as Steve said,
maybe have made the back a bit smaller,
I don’t mind the black phone # tho.
And why is the logo on the side twice?
I think I’d have just put the flower
with the # underneath it.
And what does Kathleen do that’s so different? 😳
Flowers? Apparel? Stripping?
Inquiring minds want to know.
I do like it….just busting yer chops.
Love….Jill

[magpie]

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I must admit I was a little suprised when
they said the tel. no. was just to go on the back, perhaps I should have urged
to go for the sides too. Also now Steve mentions it, I should have gone smaller
on the back doors and I like the idea of the tel. no. in pink. I’ll have a play around
on screen for curiositys sake.

Carrie/Stephen I’m glad you said it looks clean and modern as thats the look they
were after.

Shane I hope I have done a good enough job on the cleaning, I gave it a good wash
(washing up liquid, as I assume there are no silicates in that) and rinse. Then to
remove anything else which might remain I gave it a going over with U-POL(?)
panel wipe (which I thought was very reasonably price, compared to what you pay
for some consumables).

Also I have the chance of someone elses van off the back of this. Although I’ve no little
contact stickers of my own yet – must get that sorted!

Cheers, Pete

[magpie]

Hi Jill, just missed your post.

Although not terribly clear on these pics, they use two tag line the main one is
“dare to be different”, the second “the florist who cares”, which is on the door panels.
Why twice…. erm… I thought it looked nice… erm ok it was because I didn’t want
to put the second tag underneath as the other side of the van is full of channels
that would have killed the small text. I’ll try and get a pic of it asap.

As to your last question – a gentleman never tells 😉

Cheers, Pete

[magpie]

Oh I also meant to ask, what kinda price for this size van?
(Guideline as I know in reality its very subjective)

[Chris Wool]

very posh :thumbup2:

[Bill Dewison]

Top job mate! Really really good! 😀

How did you find it? What I mean is, did you find it easier than you expected or harder? Nowt wrong with 7 hours mate, if thats your first, 7 hours is bloody good going, especially considering the design. As C&S have said, very clean and professional looking, you’ve done a great job.

As far as putting your own stickers on, whizz me across your design, shop email and I’ll chuck them through the PC60 if you like. Quick and easy for you, gives you some more time to get the next van 😀

As has been said though, you build in confidence with each van until eventually you work out your own system for applying it rapido. If you take the care and attention you’ve just done with that van on every van, but manage to speed up your app time, you’ll have more van work than you could shake a shakey thing at 😀

Cheers, Dewi

[magpie]

I expected it to be hard, but most of it went smoothly enough, except that nothing happend
in quite the way I had planned. The template while good didn’t seem to be as perfect
a fit as I had expected (that won’t stop me buying the CD).
Then I realised that what I took to be true horizontal lines weren’t and the lines of
the van which were defined from a distance with the light at the correct angle
seemed to disappear as I approached with the vinyl. Anyway I got there in the end
thankfully.
I’m still left wondering how to align stuff ie true horizontal or to the lines of the vehicle.
It’s crossed my mind to get a laser leveler, thoughts on wether its worth it, anyone?

I’ll get in touch re the stickers, thanks for the offer.

Finally here’s another layout for the same van, but as a half(?) wrap.

Cheers, Pete

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Attachments:

[John Harding]

Hi Pete

Nice first van :2thumbs: 7 hours isnt shabby as already said

quote :

I’m still left wondering how to align stuff ie true horizontal or to the lines of the vehicle.
It’s crossed my mind to get a laser leveler, thoughts on wether its worth it, anyone?

No such thing as a true horizontal because the back of the van goes up and down on the springs according to the weight placed in it, hence always choose one line to go parrallel with, I normally take a measurement from the bump strip around the sides as its normally parrallel with the sills (bottom edge) of the van.

John

[Martin Pearson]

Nice job Pete cant really add any other comments as it has all been said, as for the outline CD, not having a go at Brian as I use mine all the time and it is an invaluable tool but I don’t tend to plot straight from the artwork. I always check panel sizes and keep a book with all the true sizes in it. If we get a van to do and I havent got the panel sizes in the book I won’t cut any vinyl until I have measured them.
As for whats the best way to determine which lines are straight I think everyone will have their own opinion on this. If you put the graphics on exactly square then technically its right and if the customer says they are not straight you can prove they are but and this is only my opinion if you do this all the time some vans wont look right because of how we see things so I always discuss it with the customer and let them decide.
As for buying a lazer level great idea if, you know the ground is perfectly level, the tyres on the van are at the correct pressures, theres not stuff in the van making it low at one end etc etc.

[John Singh]

There you Pete!

Well done! 😀

How did you do the little flourish leaf and flower springing from the ‘K’
You’ve been playing around with the nodes again?

John

[Peter Normington]

nice first go !
I once tried a lazer level but there are a couple of problems, apart from the ones said above. 1 unless you buy a top end professional lazer, you wont see the line in any sort of bright light. 2 in has to stand on a tripod and the levels have to be determined according to the ground you are on and practically all floors have a fall.
I find that true horizon is not always the way to go, If it looks right it usually is as long as all the elements off the graphics line up with each other
peter

[John Singh]

You’re right Peter:

Thing is! Once you are happy with a ‘level’ make sure all your lettering goes on at this same level regardless of the slopes and bumps and wotnot

Nothing worse than a panel differing from another in levels

[Shane Drew]

The advice here is good mate.

I usually ask the customer if the vehicle is always loaded or always empty in the greater % of the week. Then I sign it with that in mind. But, I always tack the signs on with masking tape and get the client to decide which they think is straight.

At the end of the day, they are going to see it everyday, and if they think it is not straight to their eye, it will really erk them, and you’ll be the worst bloke in the world after a week.

I usually start will aligning it to the bodyside mould myself. If it is not straight to that line in most cases, the eye will be drawn to the sign level and the mould level being different, and you’ll be forever trying to convince the client your signs are not crooked.

Outline cd’s should only ever be considered a guide. As has been said here, I always do my own measurements off my drawing, on the vehicle, before I actually cut.

Cheers

[Peter Normington]

as an add on to previous post each side of the van should be treated separately
peter,

[magpie]

Great feedback everyone thanks for posting.

Cheers, Pete.

[Bill Dewison]

Pete, let me know about the stickers if you want them, selling the PC60 in the New Year, so I’ll run them off over the christmas break 😀

Cheers, Dewi

edit: 😳 😳 That was supposed to be a PM, sorry bout that 😳 😳

[budone]

Up Grading then Dewi??

[Bill Dewison]

When I get round to it 😀 I’ll probably be without a printer/cutter for a few weeks, but unless I can magic another 50sq ft into my shop, I’ll have to wait til the extensions built. Bit of a bummer as I quite like the PC60 and it works really well for the type of work I do, but the computer is needed elsewhere and the space is needed atm 🙁 On the bright side though, when I do free up the space, I’ll be able to get a 1220 cutter which is nice 😀 No more peicing up window graphics (which is a lie because I’ll probably design things twice as big and still end up peicing up, but it justifies the purchase, so I’m keeping me gob shut for a change 😀 )

Cheers, Dewi

[Chris Wool]

bit drastic dewi you can have more than one printer port you know

[Bill Dewison]

:lol1: I know Chris, its the physical floor space in the shop. I’m buying some extra equipment in for another side to the business and I’m having to jiggle space about, just not got the room. Its going to cause the odd problem not having the print/cut facilities, but has to be done 😕 I may have to shunt the vinyl rack about a bit as well which could be a bit of a problem, why the devil I built them out of inch MDF! They weigh a tonne! 😮

Cheers, Dewi

[Chris Wool]

quote :

I’m buying some extra equipment in for another side to the business

all comming out now, at the risk of being a bit beeeky

WELL 😕

[Bill Dewison]

:lol1: Not being beeeky (is that a word from down your way 😉 ) at all mate, I’m expanding the print side. I had shut it down at one point, but the demand was there and I figure in for a penny in for a pound. Just have to wait and see whether its worth it or whether its a Dewi-blunder 😳

Cheers, Dewi

[Tim Painter]

John

You say….

Thing is! Once you are happy with a ‘level’ make sure all your lettering goes on at this same level regardless of the slopes and bumps and wotnot

quote :

I don’t agree mate… What about the the Vito… If you put a line of text above the sill each side it looks fine, level to the sill.
Then further up the side panels above the trim if you put a line of text it looks stupid if its level to the text below due to the vehicles lines.

If you line both bits of text to the side trim the text along the sill would look way out.

Noticed a local Taxi the other day with a nice panel on the door was very level in relation to the ground when it was fitted but looks pi**ed as a fart in relation to the trim, it looked very poor.

Personally I think it’s like fitting shelves. If your ceiling or coving is way out you have to strike a balance by eye as strong lines will make the thing look pi**ed.

Just my 50p’s worth.

Tim.

[Chris Wool]

i think i would be struggling with out print work it fills in the gaps well – no vans this week but doing 10 disply boards for the boat show

best off luck

chris

[Chris Wool]

soory of thread with dewi

thats why i still do vans wet fitt where you think then stand well back most vans have about 3 different angles none of them may be correct.
astras make that point.
down under they have to worry about how many tinnies are in the van cos the springs are so week 😉

chris

[Shane Drew]

quote Dewi:

When I get round to it 😀 I’ll probably be without a printer/cutter for a few weeks, but unless I can magic another 50sq ft into my shop, I’ll have to wait til the extensions built. Bit of a bummer as I quite like the PC60 and it works really well for the type of work I do, but the computer is needed elsewhere and the space is needed atm 🙁 On the bright side though, when I do free up the space, I’ll be able to get a 1220 cutter which is nice 😀 No more peicing up window graphics (which is a lie because I’ll probably design things twice as big and still end up peicing up, but it justifies the purchase, so I’m keeping me gob shut for a change 😀 )

Cheers, Dewi

Mate, I have got a 1000mm cutter. Greatest thing I ever bought. Premasking is a pain tho. Seems my arms are too short. Don’t know how you’d premask 1200 wide on your own 🙂

Cheers