[Alan Cooper]

Thanks for all the welcomes -this really is a friendly site. I do very little brushwork nowadays but in the mid 80’s I had 2 posterwriters and a signwriter all working full time for me. Those were the days…

[Alan Cooper]

Dave,
On my system its FUTURIST BLACK – Italicised

Hope that helps

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Brad
Bold text is Frieze, and other is Brush Script.
Hope that helps

Happy New Year
Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks for the advice Andy.
Apologies for posting in the wrong forum 😳

[Alan Cooper]

Andy,
Can you join dibond ok and does it lend itself to slotting into an ali frame?

[Alan Cooper]

Isn’t he the little buddah in the Harveys furniture ad at the start of Coronation Street? (Not that it’s of any use)

[Alan Cooper]

We pay £13.70 a sheet for 8′ x 4′ x 5mm but its an own brand from Vulcascott

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Don’t know, but it’s dead easy to digitize.

[Alan Cooper]

Neill,
How about using standard vinyl and cutting a vertical perforated line in the film half way across. The vinyl would then tear easily if the door was opened.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

I agree with Peter.
Standard 610 x 813mm correx boards around £15 each for half a dozen. We charge a bit more if they want to add a logo. We do a fair number of these boards, but not enough to get rich on. We normally pick this type of work up after we’ve done their van graphics.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Are they to be fitted on the inside of the rear window?

[Alan Cooper]

I’ve had almost 300mb in my recycle bin for weeks that I couldn’t delete.Just downloaded this software and they’ve all been deleted-fantastic

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Joe,
Postage is minimal. I’ll post later today.

Regards
Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Joe,
I’ve got a users manual for a Cutting Pro FC2100-60/-90 that you are welcome to have. We sold our old Graphtec some years back and have
only recently found the manual.

Regards
Alan

[Alan Cooper]

We have a similar problem with our Cadet plus.
One of our regular customers uses pantone 286 blue as one of their corporate colours. If we set a 286 blue background to their signs in Flexisign, and export it as an EPS file to the Troop Rip, the printer changes the colour completely to a purply blue. I’ve tried adjusting the 286 colour in Flexi, but can’t get anywhere near to the correct colour.Ive also tried working through the pantone pallette printing out all the blues, but can’t get anywhere near 286 blue – or any other "vibrant" blue. Because of this problem we tend to do this customers work in vinyl, which can be very time consuming.

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Dave
Lettercraft Topsigns do a range of roof top signs.
http://www.lettercrafttopsignsuk.co.uk

[Alan Cooper]

Also, if your doing a multi colour job you can’t see the layers.

[Alan Cooper]

If you highlight the object that’s got the contour on it, and you right click the mouse, it says "undo contour cut".

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

We had something similar – I don’t think you can get a job in these centres unless you’re a jobsworth. A customer of mine has a store in a centre in the south east. One of his windows had etch film on the inside, and he wanted me to put up a temporary poster on the outside of the window. Jobsworth came up as I was about to peel off the d/sided tape and slap this poster on the window and told me that because of health and safety he had to cone the area off! He went off to get his cones, and I stuck up the poster while he was away! It took me about a minute.
Maybe he should have stood next to me with a megaphone warning the public of the hazard I was causing. I know where I’d like to stick his cone….

[Alan Cooper]

Just one final thought. When you send a job to Production Manager, is the software recognising the vinyl width correctly? If not click on user defined
and put in your own size. I’m not familiar with your plotter so I don’t know if the material box is being completed correctly by the software. If the size in the width box reads for example 10000mm, the job you are trying to cut at 100mm will be almost invisible. I hope that makes sense.
Best of luck anyway.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Any bright young things out there? This bright old thing is out of ideas. 😕

[Alan Cooper]

If I send a job to plot that is reading 152cm square in the size box, but I only wanted it to be cut at 10cm square, I would alter the 2 boxes in "Size" to read 10cm x 10cm and the percentage box underneath – which was reading 100%, now reads 6.579%. I know thats not the correct way of doing things, and I don’t know the answer as to why FlexiSign is doing that (as you can see, I’m not a bright young thing) but that may at least help you to plot your work at the correct size.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

When you send the job to plot, In production Manager,does the size of your image (10cm sq.) still read that size, and is the percentage box still reading 100% ?

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Nick,
Sorry, but I’ve only just found your reply, with the font I was looking for.
Had to buy font after posting (£24 = vat) but thanks for taking the trouble

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

I didn’t know anyone in the sign trade worked for £1.00 an hour!
Maybe he charges £50 for delivery….

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks for the info Dave, I’ll check that out.
Are Fishermans Friends hotter than mints?

[Alan Cooper]

We already have two 3kw Infra Red heaters which do a good job of keeping you warm when you’re working underneath them. Our problem is that we work in a converted barn, and our electrics have been cobbled together over the years, and when we get our electric bill in, the landlord has to read the other units sub meters and divvy up the costs. We always seem to end up on the wrong side of reasonable, so I’m thinking of getting a propane gas blower to keep the unit at a decent temperature, and not be so reliant on electricity.
Until then it’s the extra strong mints….

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks Dave,
That pic and a packet of Extra Strong Mints and I’m sorted !!

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hello Cassandra and welcome to the boards. :lol1:

[Alan Cooper]

Rod,
We would use an aluminium sign blank from Ashbys with two rails on the back, and 4 square headed bolts that slide into the rails. Position the sign on one side of the fence and 2 ali lengths with 2 holes drilled in each on the other side of the fence. The sign is then bolted through the fence gaps through the 2 ali lengths behind.
It’s really secure but can easily be removed without damaging the fence.
Speak to Ashbys and explain what you need to do, they will supply everything that you need.
Hope that helps.

Regards
Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Mart
Are you trying to lay a solid piece of etch film with the letters clear cut into it? If you are, I would definately lay it wet, and leave the application tape on it for a while.before you attempt to remove it. That will give the small infill pieces of the text time to dry. We generally use high tack paper as it makes removing the image off the backing paper a bit easier.

[Alan Cooper]

Yes very sad news,
He lived life dangerously and at 44 died far too young. He was a breath of fresh air amongst all the rubbish on tv and will be sadly missed

[Alan Cooper]

We have an issue with banding on our Cadet Plus printer.
We run the FlexiSign rip and use B&P material and their profiles.
I was told by B&P that if we bought the Troop Rip (at around £1200) that would solve the problem.
Judging by what others are saying on the boards the banding on Cadet machines is an issue regardless of what Rip is used.
Do you think I’d be better off buying a Troop Rip or save the money ?

Alan 🙄

[Alan Cooper]

Ali
Yes you can apply reflective vinyl (or ordinary vinyl) to correx.
I would lay it dry as correx is quite forgiving and most vinyls can be laid
down in that way.However, if you are laying down a solid background all over the sheet of correx then I would lay it wet. Hope that helps

Regards
Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Graeme
We would print at 360 dpi / 2 pass although the quality isn’t brilliant it would probably do the job ok.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi All,
Just a quick update on the plotter blade problem. The blade and holder arrived this morning from Edward Mathius – problem solved, it cuts perfectly without having to re-calibrate the settings.

Thanks
Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Dave, I think I’ll try the blade out first to see if it’s ok. If it is then I’ll do as you suggest and keep a back-up.

Chris,
In reply to your post, I don’t think there’s any grit in the bearing and I will contact Spandex if I find that the Mathias blades are cutting ok, as you say, it may have been a faulty batch that Spandex sent us, but never having ordered them before I’ve got nothing to compare with.

Thanks for your input

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks for the info Neill and Dave,
I’ve just rung Edward Mathias and they’re sending me a blade and holder in the post (cost £20 to start and £10 when it’s returned for a new one)
They didn’t even ask for payment first seeing as I don’t have an account with them.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Yes, we did try these refillable cartridges recently, but we seemed to get air bubbles in them which affected the print quality.
Was told by B&P not to use them with the Cadet, so we switched to the 440ml. cartridges. Mind you, the price of the litre bottles is reasonable when you relate them to the others.
220ml costs £30.80 and 440ml. £61.60

[Alan Cooper]

I’m paying £99 for 440ml and £65 for 220ml from B&P so a saving of around 30%.

Davidimo, your idea sounds interesting so I’ll give it a try, thanks for the input.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Well I opened the empty cartridge and there’s definitely no ink left. The printer thinks there is because if I put it back in, it starts printing again in the 3 remaining colours only !
I suppose we could take out each cartridge and shake them to see how full they are before we start each print job. A solution from the supplier might be to have the inner bag transparent, along with the end of the cartridge, or better still, have an “Ink remaining” icon for both 220ml and 440ml cartridges on the menu.
Over to you B&P ?

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

A few years ago I had to signwrite the windows at a firm of solicitors. Did the job, got paid on the spot (always a bonus) A couple of days later I got a phone call from one of the partners and I was thinking – great, he wants to order the A board he was talking to me about. Instead he says – The job you did the other day, well you’ve spelt “Solicitors” wrong. I thought it was a wind up but he said no seriously you’ve missed an “i” out and it actually reads “Solcitors” It was bad enough me making the mistake but he stood outside the office with me, telling me what a nice job I’d done ! 🙄
There must have been 20 people working there and no-one noticed it for 2 days.

[Alan Cooper]

Haven’t done that, but we’ve done a couple of jobs recently, printing a series of images in mirror onto clear to be used as a window picture frame. The customer was looking a bit sceptical as we were fitting the very transparent images onto the glass but everything came to life when we backed the prints up with white vinyl. The job looked great when finished.
Although we don’t screen print any more, I would have thought that the solvent inks in the cadet would be compatible with a screenprint white solvent ink used as a flood coat.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

I’ve come in this week – mornings only, to do some sale work that’s wanted for 3rd Jan. Phones are quiet although I’ve had a call from someone who wants a house sign and another who wanted a banner for new years eve – talk about leaving it till the last minute. Told both that I
was too busy, otherwise I’d be working even longer this week. Anyway, back to the sale work.

Best wishes to everyone in this wonderful business of ours and here’s to a prosperous new year. :lol1:

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Marc
Ah the good old days. I had a few sleepless nights myself wondering why the computers would’nt speak to the cutters. Thankfully things have mooved on a bit since then. Sam’s keeping well and I’m desperately trying to hang on to the Boss title but it is difficult when he knows more than I do !!
Apologies to the other board members

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hello All
Marc has given me much help and advice over the years – he once printed a job on his demo equipment overnight when I had a problem with my printer and it’s nice to hear his comments on the Cadet.
Best wishes Marc

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Lee
We use 2″ x 2″ planed softwood and put a point on one end. Join the 2 correx boards back to back with either correx tape or plastic fixings from
Alplas. Tel: 01702 720000
Hope that helps

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Yes nice work Pat.

Like you I used to hand write posters and showcards as well as vinyl banners using vinyl inks. At one time there were 3 of us turning out this sort of work all day long – as you say “The good old days”

P.S I hope those beer prices are in euros and not pounds!!

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Well I had 2 copies arrive last friday, both in separate envelopes so if anyone wants a copy I’ll forward one on to them. First come first served.

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Ours is a family run business. Myself my wife (who does the bookwork) and my son who’s worked with me for 8 years. From the time when our kids were young and I was working on my own as a sign writer (the good old days) I always made a point of taking a least 2 weeks off. Told customers when I’d be away-usually worked 15 -18 hours a day prior to going away to get on top of the work and then the same for at least a couple of weeks after the hol.
Things are a bit easier now but it still puts pressure on whoevers left to hold the fort. I’ve got that situation next week when my son goes away
but then isn’t that what we all work for?
Holidays are a must :lol1:

Regards to all

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

I thought it was time to update the boards with the conclusion to this topic which generated such a lot of interest at the time. Without you having to trawl through the postings again, I had advertised a plotter for sale. The sale was agreed with a guy who bought it ” sight unseen” based on my description of the plotter. (used as a back up machine and with the purchase of a new Cadet plus which cuts as well as prints was now surplus to requirements) Plotter was despatched by courier to the purchaser just before Xmas and to cut a very very long story short, I was told that the machine wasn’t working when it arrived. After a lot of tooing and froing I offered to pay for the cost of getting an engineer from Artsystems to look at the machine, give me a report on what the problem was, and I would pay for any repair that the plotter would need to get it working. That was early february. Since then I’ve heard absolutely nothing.
That leads me to believe that maybe the plotter wasn’t as dead as it was made out to be. Since I sold the plotter 4 months ago, my offer to repair it has now been withdrawn. I think I have given the purchaser enough time to get this sorted. Thanks to all of you who took an interest at the time and those who posted their comments.I now think this topic is closed

[Alan Cooper]

Try website http://www.indfinspec.demon.co.uk/colour_charts.htm

[Alan Cooper]

We bought our Cadet Plus 54″ just before Christmas, and after a few problems with the computer that was linked to the cadet, we finally got the cadet earning it’s keep towards the end of Jan. Had a job in Feb. from one of our regulars to produce 10 – 3m x 2m signs, 30 – 1500 x 1000mm and 20 – 1000 x 750mm. All printed on vinyl and then mounted onto correx. We only had a week to turn this job around and I was worried about the machines capability to output prints continuously without the need to do regular cleaning and maintenance etc. The cadet performed
faultlessly, printing each 1500 x 1000mm in 30mins.We used the fastest speed (360×720 – 2 pass) and the quality was perfectly acceptable for a fairly short term promotion. So I can say that we are more than pleased with our cadet which can also be used as a plotter although we haven’t done so yet.

[Alan Cooper]

Vinnie,
Now I know where my deliveries sometimes end up. Down in bl***y Margate. We share the same company name – Phoenix Signs.

[Alan Cooper]

Are you employed by Greaney Graphics? or does he give you work on a sub contractor basis. Either way he’s not treating you fairly and I would make sure you’re going to get paid before you lift a finger. It does sound as if you would be better off elsewhere so I would start looking around for permanent employment with someone who appreciates you.
Best of luck.

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks to all who have taken an interest in what has become an embarrassing situation. It’s nice to know that I’m not being seen as the villain in this because up to the time it was posted on the boards I was beginning to think I was.As far as my location goes, I’m about 20 minutes drive south of Gatwick Airport. I don’t feel it’s right for me to comment on whether Ezzie was wrong not to see the machine set up and working, but if it was me parting with hard earned cash I’d want to see what I’m getting for my money. So Ezzie, if you want to call ArtSystems (0115 938 0380) and get them visit your premises and carry out the repairs, all I need from them is a report on what was wrong and what their charge for putting it right is. I will pay over the phone by credit card, and if I’m not around when they call, my son who works with me, will pay on his card.
I say that because I’m quite often out and about – you know what it’s like trying to earn a living in this trade.
Thanks to all who took the time to air their comments and lets hope for both our sakes that this can be resolved soon.
I’ll keep you posted

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks Dewi mate, you can see exactly where I’m coming from and I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
I’m not trying to be obstructive, just trying to resolve this issue but again today, in between jobs and visiting customers I have rung Art Systems 3
times (now 7 times in total) Spoke again to Emma who seems a very nice girl who is trying to put me in touch with someone called Steve Thomas. She’s left him messages and I’ve left him messages but still no return call. I tried to phone Ezzie today to let him Know what the situation is and he’s not in either. (hot) I’m prepared to get Art Systems to visit Ezzie and pay them to asses the damage to the plotter (£175 call out charge including first hour on site) then repair it (plus parts at who knows what cost) but I do feel aggrieved about this whole episode because I sold in good faith a plotter that was in full working order when it left our premises (and Ezzies only got my word on this because he says it wasn’t working when it arrived) If he had come to view the plotter working before he bought it we wouldn’t be in this situation now.
I’m still at a loss to be told that the wrong fuse was in the machine because we bought it new and never had to replace the fuse – ever ! (And Ezzie will have to take my word on that as well) Anyway I’ll try ArtSystems again tomorrow and will keep the boards posted.
Thanks again Dewi

[Alan Cooper]

Sorry, I meant Art Systems not Sign Systems. Still no response from them after 4 calls.

[Alan Cooper]

This looks as if I’m the bad guy, but let me put the records straight as far as I’m concerned.
1. This plotter was used by us as a back up machine and although a few years old,genuinely it was 100% reliable. – We have another Summa plotter which we bought because this one was so good.
2. Ezzie bought the machine from me over the phone so never saw it working.I described it as being in good condition and very reliable.
3. The plotter was sent in it’s original box/packing up to Ezzie by TNT. When it arrives I’m told it’s not working and the blade is blunt (sent him more blades).
4. We have never had to change the fuse in the plotter so if the machine has worked faultlessly for the time we had it how comes the fuse is the wrong type?
5. Ezzie got a TV engineer to look at the plotter – I wouldn’t call out a plotter engineer if I couldn’t get BBC on my TV….
6. The plotter had never been in contact with water for as long as I owned it, so another mystery as to why TV man says it has.
6. Slightly off the subject but still relevant, I sent a computer by TNT back to the supplier who had to do some work on it. Computer was returned to us by TNT and when it was plugged in there was no power. I took it to our local computer repair centre and the found 2 connections the had somehow come off in transit. A week later after another unrelated incident I had to return the computer again to supplier. This time when it came back the monitor was in constant sleep mode – back to repair centre who found main circiut board loose, so I’m just saying that things can happen in transit as seems to be the case with this plotter.
6. I’ve now phoned Sign Systems (who selland service Summa plotters) 4 times trying to speak to someone who can help sort this problem out and I’m still waiting for a reply from them.

If anyone knows of a plotter repair company in the north east perhaps you could post details so we can get this problem resolved as Ezzies posting makes me look the villain.

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Rob
Sorry but plotter was sold just before Christmas

[Alan Cooper]

Ezzie
I’ve just picked up this message from you. Could’nt get thorough on your phone but I’ve left a message.
With regards to the vinyl screwing up, make sure that the pinch rollers on the far left and right are positioned directly over the yellow markings. It sounds like maybe the one on the far left is not, and that would cause the vinyl to skew off and chew up. Also make sure that the vinyl is straight and flat otherwise the blade will hit it and screw up.The plotter blade should be fine because as I explained, we had been using it without any problems up until we shipped it to you. Have you adjusted the blade pressure ?If you have, press 1 on control panel and it will do a test cut (square and x cut) If you cant weed that square out then up the pressure by 10 and try again pressing 1 for test cut. If blade is going through the vinyl then the pressure is too much so decrease pressure and do test as previous.
Different vinyls need to be cut at different pressures, but you’ll get the hang of it with practice. As I said to you the summa is a good reliable machine but give me a ring next thursday when I’m back at work if you need any more help.

Merry Christmas too all on uk signboards

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Ezzie
My phone number is 01444 25 40 40
I’ll be on that number tomorrow morning (Saturday) until 12 o/c
or any time next week

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Ezzie
My Summa is a T1010 Plus fitted with the tangential head for better cutting and weeding. It’s coming up for 5 years old and has been our back up plotter for the last 3 years (we also run a Summa T1400 Pro)
– exactly the same bit of kit but a bit bigger. The T1010 takes 1metre wide vinyl and cuts lettering/logos up to 975mm high. I’ts had very little use the last couple of years and is in very good condition and I’ve never had any problems with it and it’s been 100% reliable. Price of a new one from Summa is £3899 + vat
It’s got to go because we’ve just taken delivery of a new 54″ Cadet which prints and cuts.

[Alan Cooper]

Hi
I’ve got a Summa T1010 Plus plotter for sale. Takes 1 metre wide vinyl
I’ts in excellent condition and I’m looking for £800 + vat
I did have someone interested in it from the board last week but hasn’t returned my call so I’m happy to offer it again. If you’re interested let me know

[Alan Cooper]

Well the plotter size is approx 65″ wide x 43″ high (incl. stand) x 18″ deep
It cuts text down to approx 4mm high and up to 975mm high. Also has a pen adaptor for drawing templates etc. I have the instruction manual as well. My phone number is 01444 25 40 40 if anyone needs to chat.

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Bob
We use paper tape for most of our work but we do use clear tape from Hexis for multi layer work.
We find it quite difficult to lay the clear vinyl down if its say 500mm wide as it creates a lot of static and tends to ‘suck up’ the vinyl/backing from the workbench. Also, if you’re. laying graphics onto a porous surface such as varnished wood we find the clear tape too sticky and it tends to lift the graphics back up

[Alan Cooper]

Hi Rich,
Well we take delivery next week of a new 54″ print and cut machine
and as we only use the Summa as a back up we want to dispose of it –
we need the space! I’m looking for offers around £800 + vat
(The new version of the Summa is £3899.00 + vat)
If anyone is interested I’ll post my phone number so we can talk. Rich, I see you are in Surrey and we are in West Sussex , so probably no more than 50 miles from you.

[Alan Cooper]

Hi
Well I’ve got a Summa T1010 Plus (Tangental head) Takes 1 metre wide vinyl and is in good condition – 100% reliable
I’m open to reasonable offers :lol1:

[Alan Cooper]

Surely no signmaker has EVER used brush script all in capitals(?)

[Alan Cooper]

Hi,
I understand from our supplier that there is a 54″ print and cut cadet coming onto the market at the end of November.

[Alan Cooper]

You can also try Sign & Screenprint Supplies. Their prices seem pretty competitive Tel; 0121 454 9070 or Fax; 0121 456 2385

[Alan Cooper]

As simple as logging on ! Thanks Jill and Robert.

[Alan Cooper]

Rob,
It’s a 500mm wide (20″) cutter with pinch rollers, so it takes either sprocketed or unsprocketed vinyl.
My number is 01444 254040

[Alan Cooper]

Rob,
I have a Graphtec FC 2100-50 plotter that we no longer use. It’s probably about 10 years old now and I think it cost somewhere around £3k at the time. (just goes to show how things have progressed) I’m open to offers
around £350

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks Martin,
I’ll contact our local fancy dress shop and see if they can help.

How come someone in the sign trade knows about blow up sheep – very worrying….
I once spent a couple of days signwriting the windows of a sex aids wholesaler – and got paid with stock from the shelf, but thats another story.

[Alan Cooper]

thank you very much for your kind e-mail regarding tinting
a range rover. i have booked it in for next week so ill let you
know how i got on and weather i had any problems!

thanks once again

Alan

[Alan Cooper]

Thanks to everyone for such a friendly welcome. It really is great to be in contact with such a friendly bunch – even those north of the border! 😆

[Alan Cooper]

Yes Phill, I found the bigger we were getting the more I became a pen pusher. Our problems started shortly after signing a 21 year lease on 4,000sq. ft of space. No sooner was the ink dry when our biggest customer folded without warning. Apart from owing us money, we just couldn’t replace them with additional customers. But that was only the beginning because almost daily we were opening letters from liquidators informing us of more of our customers folding. We found that our ex’s were just too large for our turnover, and when we needed support from our bank they got edgy and called in our overdraft.
Now I’m 12 years older and 12 years wiser. I’m more concerned with the quality of life than making a fortune and i’ve put all the 18 hour days behind me.

[Alan Cooper]

It costs £35 to register your company to comply with the data protection act, but unless you are passing on your customer liststo other companies
you don’t need to register. Yet another scam to extract our hard earned pennies…