would fitting large sign be best done with the hinge method?

[Andy Gorman]

Well, it all depends on how good you are at applying vinyl. Apply dry if you can. I don’t know how much workshop space you have but obviously you don’t need to apply it in one go. I would prefer to apply a sheet at a time on the ground rather than attempting it when the panels are in place.

[Hugh Potter]

HI Darren,

i would say it will all depend on the access to the panels, if you’re working from a roof, 8ft wide scaffold tower or tressles, then you will be fine, simply hinge in the middle, vertically, apply one half, then the other.

hinging at the top or bottom will not be very easy on large letters etc,

personally, i’d pre apply the vinyl to the panels, i can’t easily work on 8×4 sheets on the bench, so usually make a large bench outside, using tressles, a couple of scaffold planks and sheets of ply.

anyways, welcome to the forum, take the time to say hi and tell us a bit about yourself.

[Peter Normington]

Happy new year and welcome.

prefit the vinyl to the panels, depends on the design, but you could draw a line or squares at a constant distance from the edge to aid fitting the individual panels, thats what I do,
Peter

[Darren Clark]

Many thanks for the quick reply lads could you please talk me through process of doing it on the floor or bench a sheet at a time as i am a bit worried about spacing. This is quite a high sign and i would be using our 6×4 scaffie tower so there would be a lot of up and down and moving about and the main graphics are 15m long and my vinyl application is not bad but not as good to do this length i can post a photo if this helps

[Andy Gorman]

What I do is print off a scaled drawing showing where the panel joins are. I write on the drawing the measurements from the edge of the sign to the start of the graphics at various points. The only slight difficulty is when something crosses a join. You can apply these pieces on site, but I prefer to work on two panels at a time which allows you to go across the panel joins (cutting the vinyl down the join after).

I wouldn’t attempt to even cut 15m at one go, never mind apply it in one. Break it down into words or maybe 2.4m pieces and apply one at a time.

[Peter Normington]

there is no reason why 15m couldnt be cut in one go, my (so I’m braggin)mimaki wouldn’t have a problem doing it, and I could even apply the app tape using my laminator.

but in practice, better as Andy says, do it in 8foot sections,

peter

[Hugh Potter]

quote darren clark:

Many thanks for the quick reply lads could you please talk me through process of doing it on the floor or bench a sheet at a time as i am a bit worried about spacing.

pretty much as Andy says, i’ve never needd to do more than 2 sheets together, but the principle is the same.

1, in my software i will have a full scale drawing, i have around it, a full scale background which represents the panels to be applied to.

2, take measurements from various horizontal and vertical edges of the virtual design on your computer,

3, write them all down onto a printed drawing to enable you to apply these measurements to the panels, designs, on the real job.

4, i use any bench big enough, or i make one outside (2 tressles, 2No 4m scaffold planks and 2x 8×4 1/2" ply),

5, two panels at a time, ensure they’re butted up together properly, sometimes i pre-drill the mounting holes and fix the panel down to the bench to ensure no movement,

6, i would prob cut each section of vinyl to match the panel size. take your measurements, and ensure the vinyl is in the correct place on the first panel, hinge from the top to the bottom of the panel and apply the vinyl in two pieces.

7, position (and measure) the vinyl, do not worry if there’s any gaps on the edge, sort that later. apply to panel 2,

8, put panel 2 where panel 1 was, and put panel 3 in place, apply as above,

9, put panel 3 where 2 was, put 4 in place, and so on!

i leave the application tape on the vinyl after fitting it, just helps to protect the vinyl.

pre drill the holes if you’re sure they don’t need properly positioning, 50mm from the edge is fine on dibond,

if there’s any gaps on the edge where the vinyl bridges the panels, then take some strips (25mm wide) of matching vinyl will you, simply apply by hand once the panels are up, and trim with a knife.

just be sure to get the first panel 100%, the rest will be fine then!

[Darren Clark]

thanks for the quick reply again I think ive got the just of it now thanks for the advice on not cutting it all at once as well my machine is pretty good when it comes to run off but i haven’t gone over 5m with her and i tend to struggle with it as its 1220 wide i normally cut with her and re rolling is awkward ill confess now its a cheap china import but its got me started and paid for itself so i am saving for a print and cut but a few months/ years away yet