[Daniel Evans]

I looked into this recently, basically as far as I’m aware, Roland Print Studio is a cut down version of Caldera and will only run roland machines. I’d love it if it did run others as I’ve been looking into this as it’s fraction of the cost of Caldera but don’t think it does.

[Daniel Evans]

Roland print studio will only run Roland so you’ll have to rule that out.

[Daniel Evans]

Lol

[Daniel Evans]

quote Hugh Potter:

quote Simon Worrall:

Put the apostrophes in the right place. :smiles:

Apostrophe’s ? 😆

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think there should be an Apostrophe in Apostrophe’s.

I think you may have that wrong Hugh lol

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks David but all complete. Had a look at the vehicle and they seem to be third party. I took some black material with me and some knifeless tape and measured the back and luckily enough thy took a photo before the repair.

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Attachments:

[Daniel Evans]

Ok, I’ll have to look at the job and take see

[Daniel Evans]

How many do you need? I’ve heard quite a few people doing a stencil on the Matt and then spraying it with good results. I’m talking about the hard brown ones.

[Daniel Evans]

Purple is really hard to get hold of, I ended up matching the best I could and explained that to the client. I’m out of the office at the moment so I can’t check what colour that is but I part wrapped a car using mactac so check with allprint.

[Daniel Evans]

Composite and correx for external depending on budget, foamed all day long for interior. Also started using cardboard for interior as well as my printer allows me to print directly into it

[Daniel Evans]

quote David Hammond:

It’s worse when you’ve not cut the lettering on the door join, and they’ve opened the sliding door… So I’ve heard from a friend :blushing:

I think I know the same friend lol Not me honest!

[Daniel Evans]

What range of image perfect material matches MD3 and MD5?

I’ve personally not had an issue but always nice to keep track of how materials are performing for others.

[Daniel Evans]

Thank guys

Do you guys fit wet, dry or use air release?

I’ve always gone with the wet approach but never used air release/metascape on windows and never so anything dry on windows at all.

I think i’m inclined to go with Grafityp based on recommendations and the fact that it’s £5.77 a metre this week only for 1220mm

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks everyone. I guess this is gonna be down to price as all the brands mentioned are well known.

[Daniel Evans]

Not had prices on the Metamark stuff yet but list prices on the website seem high compared to others. I’ll call up shortly but can’t see them coming down that much. Can’t fault them for price and service on the other materials though, saying that does anyone find the backing on the M7 range doesn’t stick to the app tape all that well

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks David. Who sells the ritrama film? I don’t know anyone who does this brand

[Daniel Evans]

Not tried them before, I’ll give them a go

[Daniel Evans]

Out of curiosity, I take it you start with red, then yellow and a final wipe down with green? What do you use in all the bottles?

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks

[Daniel Evans]

Where did you get the colour coded bottles from, I’ve been wanting some of these for a while

[Daniel Evans]

I believe magic touch do them and you sublimate onto them

[Daniel Evans]

Thank Peter

I visioned something a bit more high tech than that lol

[Daniel Evans]

Be good to see an image of that Peter? I also have a laser but I don’t tend to use it

[Daniel Evans]

I just tend to run masking tape along the tops of the wheel arches, as long as all my text match that line then it looks good. Not had one complaint

[Daniel Evans]

Can you remember the make if it? The ones I see seem so flimsy.

[Daniel Evans]

I love that lift, where can I get that?

[Daniel Evans]

Thank you. Good watch

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks, will do

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Paul, nova? Don’t know them

[Daniel Evans]

Excellent, thank you Simon.

[Daniel Evans]

I personally think wrapcut is awful, the cord always seems to have kinks in it and the knifeless tape is just a far better product. Wrapcut is far cheaper but you can tell. I’ve got the wrapcut pro and wire versions and I use them only if I’ve ran out of knifeless

[Daniel Evans]

I was actually thinking the same thing, that’s what it looks like to me.

[Daniel Evans]

Very strange. I’ve used it time and time again but don’t get that bad a cut. I’ll tell you what I do just in case. I apply the tape, then run the heat gun along it and push down with my finger again so it’s connected perfectly, I then lay the vinyl over the top and again heat it and run my finger along it again. It’s now perfect and seems to have sealed nicely. When ready I pull it in the direction I’m going and once done, give it a little heat to shrink back as the vinyl will stretch slightly.

[Daniel Evans]

That’s shocking. Did you heat the vinyl and push it down after applying the tape?

[Daniel Evans]

Did it work with cc 2018?

[Daniel Evans]

Not random emails, should of stated quote / design preview emails

[Daniel Evans]

Don’t know about you guys but I send an email to every customer, so a note with your signature stating you hold their details on record and by replying to an email, you acknowledge and accept this will be enough.

[Daniel Evans]

What driver is that Chris? Maybe I can find one for the mac

[Daniel Evans]

That is correct. This is my thought

[Daniel Evans]

Funnily it was the I use the same stuff.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks for the info, I must of knocked it somehow then

[Daniel Evans]

Could be bothered wasting time on it so just changed the roll.

I’ll just use it for little bits

[Daniel Evans]

I’m printing a grid and applying it to the underside, that way the light will spread and I’ve got lines to help with

[Daniel Evans]

Best decision ever but christ don’t they blunt you blades

[Daniel Evans]

My tables are built out of old glass office partitions so I made my tables to fit them. Still cost me quite a bit but cheaper than buying brand new and I got 3. I got quoted from for 2m x 3m and you’ll be looking at about £500+

[Daniel Evans]

I’ve got a 10mm glass top. I personally don’t think I would go any lower but then my top is clear apart from 1 bar that runs along the middle. The idea is that run some leds under the glass. My table 1090 x 2500 but I have 2 of them and both on wheels. When needed I use them length ways and I have a 5mtr table or if in need the width then I have a 2mtr x 2.5mtr table. I also have a another glass top but I run out of room so it’s leaning up against the wall. I’ve stood on my tables and I’m nearly 15st

[Daniel Evans]

Very nice, looks just like mine. What size is it?

[Daniel Evans]

What is the setup cost and is it annually?

[Daniel Evans]

Phill, this is my point exactly, I value my time and why should we work for free.

[Daniel Evans]

So I have agreed to submit a mockup without any depost.

I will add some information about copyright on the quote and up my £60 charge to £200 as you put it.

I have never heard of this ISO 3 quotes thing, I’ve heard of company policy asking for 3 quotes.

Lets see how this goes.

[Daniel Evans]

So customer who agreed to pay the deposit yesterday has now decided not to. Their response was…

We need to get 3 quotes to comply with our ISO and although you are an approved contractor, the other 2 have done it free.

I’m now thinking, if I’m approved then why look elsewhere? And is it whoever does it cheaper wins the business?

My second thought are regarding copyright, let’s say everyone submits a design without seeing the others work and they all are pretty much the same, who ever loses it may feel their design has been copied?

Thought?

[Daniel Evans]

Nope. I’ve done work for them in the past so they know I’m reasonable and the reason I started with this customer was due to doing a couple of designs in the past and they either got rid of the vans or decided to not go ahead, this should give me a little more commitment. It’s trial and error at the moment but at the moment it’s 1 for 1. I do think I’ll supply a few mockups giving guide prices and if they question my price I can always give the deposit back or try to sell the benefit in using me/us.

[Daniel Evans]

So I tried the £30 non refundable deposit idea and the customer completely understood and agreed to pay. I know I will lose some business but I’m gonna stick to it for a little while and see how I go.

[Daniel Evans]

Who did you order them with Warren, Yellowtools directly? If so what’s the carriage and minimum spend?

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks guys, my point exactly do I’ll think I’ll do it, as Rob said, it only takes on can to pay for it.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Hugh. I’ve now been informed that they need to be a banner. Has anyone sponsored these before? Get much out of it? Been told it’s £120 for the year so thinking of sponsoring it myself with a 1m x 4m banner

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Robert

[Daniel Evans]

Thank you, didn’t even think of a banners lol

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Chris

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Rob. I did do it in one piece and started with the narrow section but in future I’ll do it in 2 pieces. It just took for ever.

[Daniel Evans]

Thank you, really appreciate it.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Derek

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Derek, what’s the difference?

[Daniel Evans]

What vhb tape buddy? I just went on and there’s seems to be loads. One just came up at £128 for 25m

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Chris

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Iain, did consider it but they want a smooth Matt finish. Think I might use plasterboard or hoarding board but I might fill the holes to make sure and do a test without filling for the future.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Martin. How do you bond the board to the frame? If screwed do you fill and rub down the holes and joins like you would plasterboard?

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Patrick, the wall is made from breeze blocks, as it stands it’s just painted white but it needs to be smarter. When you say hoarding board is that composite?

[Daniel Evans]

Gas or diesel? I’ve got a Clarke one, had it ages but not really used it much, started using it recently but just wondered how much it costs on gas and a bit worried about carbon monoxide poisoning, thinking of buying infrared heaters instead. What do you do about the cold nights?

[Daniel Evans]

What heater do you have warren?

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Justin, that does help

[Daniel Evans]

Just me, although I think I would get someone in to help (friend), height is just above first story window so a standard ladder will be ok, just never fitted one of these before so not sure how long they actually take to fit and what the going rate is.

[Daniel Evans]

That looks the one, thank you

[Daniel Evans]

Out of question, how much would you charge to put a 770mm x 3000 frame up

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks guys

[Daniel Evans]

Print the grid and laminate with a vinyl, Metamark do one

[Daniel Evans]

quote Phill Fenton:

Just imagine – one day you go into the lift and the door closes behind you and won’t open again :yikes:

No power to the lift, checked that just in case lol

[Daniel Evans]

Wow

I can fit my current place into a small corner or all your places, really hits home about the space I’m working in.

I do cheat a little though, I’m in a building with others so when they go home, I set up tables in the communal area and work in there but that means working late.

I also have a sneaky storage area in an out of use lift, I’ve opened the lift up and put a cabinet in front of it, just looks like a cabinet to anyone looking but I removed the shelves and backing and you just walk through to the lift, had it for 7 years and not one person has noticed.

I see a consistent trend amongst sign makers, what messy buggers we are lol and it’s not just me that use the table as a dumping ground.

They’re all really nice setups and I am extremely jealous of the space, even my new shop doesn’t have the amount of space you guys have.

@Hugh, why a 3.1 x 1.9m table, any reason for those dimensions? Also is 6mm strong enough? I’ve been told that due to the size I should pay extra and go for 10mm. What are those black boxes under your bench?

@David I notice you have an epson printer, what do you use that for, looks like a 7900 which I believe is water based ink?

@Andy you place is huge, some nice bit of kit there along with Rob, wow!

@Patrick Show us, It can’t be worse than mine and if it is you’ll cheer me up lol

Why does everyone have their laminators next to the table? I thought of doing this so I can put boards through, is this the reason?

[Daniel Evans]

Now you’re just showing off lol.

Both good examples compared to mine.

Funny enough I can work around mine fine, it’s just the rubbish and loading the media on the machine, oh and a spot where I could store long rolls of media, oh and a fitting area oh…. I can go on all day but you’d get bored.

Going to get a nice glass table top for my next unit, 6mm toughened glass, just need to find a place that does it cheap enough, been quoted £398+vat for a 2000mm x 3000mm with polished edges, seems a bit steep to me.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks John

That’s perfect

[Daniel Evans]

To be honest I’m not sure.

The image was sent to me, it does look a little like white has been printed on top and if this is the case I’m no longer able to do that. (Didn’t have enough jobs needing white and it dried up)

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Jamie

That looks perfect, i’ll download that now.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Peter.

DVLA doesn’t seem to give that much information but I have found that webuyanycar does although it all depends if it was registered correctly and I know for a fact that admin staff at showrooms can get it wrong a lot of the time so I think I’ll just ask to see the van to make sure.

[Daniel Evans]

Thank you David, good shout.

[Daniel Evans]

All really good techniques and I use a similar approach.

Rather than circles or rectangles, I just use + signs.

Peter, fair play to you on your method. If I did that I can pretty much guarantee that my ‘Free’ would be at a slight angle and not inline with the rest of the text.

The issue is not so much aligning the graphics up but more about applying the application tape so that the multiple colours are in one piece and not applying one at a time.

It’s just a nice thought hoping to save a little time while fitting.

I like the weed border idea and I may try that

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks guys

[Daniel Evans]

Thank Hugh

I’ve always designed in CMYK, I understand you can’t get the vibrant colour on screen to represent the vinyl colours but I just explain that to the customer.

Over the last week, I have been trying a few prints with a custom profile in RGB and they look fantastic, I think too much ink is being laid down but the colours pop. The issue is consistency and being able to match what I have on screen, their website and business stationery.

A tough order I think.

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Jamie

Using Versaworks Dual as my rip with the vs-640i.

My spectrophotometer is an i1Pro2 with i1Profiler, also have a trial version of Babelcolor to measure Delta E as I don’t think i1Profiler does that.

[Daniel Evans]

Thank Jamie.

All is working perfectly now, perfect nozzles, feed etc etc.

Got any tips for profiling, not sure I am doing it 100%. If you have a guide you could send me that would be great and not the Roland PDF or the video with the doctor lol as that misses parts out.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks guys

I’m currently profiling my printer. I’ve been getting ok results but I had a couple of days with no work on so took the opportunity to start doiing them.

Not as easy when you read different ways of doing it. Just finished so about to test my first print against another using the standard profile.

Wish me luck

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Chris

Thanks. Left it until this morning and it’s now ok.

When you say you’re more careful with the swab, can you go into a bit more detail so it doesn’t happen again for me.

I currently do a manual clean every Monday morning, clean the head, capping station and wiper with a swab. When I clean the head I do go all over it but then I was told this wouldn’t do any harm.

I did have a power outage the other day for 24 hours over the weekend when I wasn’t in, I wonder if that started the issue.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks for your help, managed to track down the original supplier.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks James, I’ll give them a shout and ask

[Daniel Evans]

I think Matt is correct to a point. I have trouble weeding and I find I always get the issue in the summer months, I think my unit just gets too warm. Try cutting a bit then weeding is straight after, I bet it weeds perfectly fine. If that is the case I think you need to bring down the temp in your office which I’ve not managed to do yet

[Daniel Evans]

Worked out . my bug, it’s due to using the print & cut setting.

Can the cut-only setting be programmed to use heat? I need a little heat as the media is really think and with a little heat it cuts perfectly.

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Shawn

I don’t see an issue although I’m not really using it as much as others.

I have got an issue with pre-feeding the media though, I’m currently using the VSi as a vinyl cutter (Media too wide for my graphtec) and it seems to pre-feeding the material to make sure there’s enough?

Never had this before and can’t find any options for it to stop, great feature but **** me it takes ages.

Do you get this?

[Daniel Evans]

Wrap straight over it and forget about it. If vinyl text then I tend to trim but I do my best to avoid it.

[Daniel Evans]

Wow, prices are little more round here.

A 1000 sq ft unit is about 22,000 + vat + service charges.

Farm units go for about 1000 a month

[Daniel Evans]

I’ve been searching for ages, prices are so high I don’t know how anyone can move into one. This one is fairly reasonable compared to others

[Daniel Evans]

Nice view.

Just been to look at my second option, see attached images.

Roller shutter it actually 2.7m which is a bonus.

Needs some work to get it up to scratch, the entrance is also an issue, bit of a steep slope so no wrapping a Ferrari :smiles:

Waiting for the owner to confirm all the costs now.

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Attachments:

[Daniel Evans]

How did you get on with the unit Ewan? Any photos?

I’m also keen to get new unit, i struggle for space and end up working in a communal hallway at weekends to give me that extra bit of room, it’s not ideal and dust/crap is an issue.

I’ve got 2 options in mind, one is a unit that is double the size of mine, the extra space is upstairs. it’s within budget but it’s only about 2.7m x 5.7 metres and again the same upstairs.

Ideally I would like to get the printer and laminator upstairs as it will be less footfall but i think that might be an issue due to weight (carrying the things up the stairs i mean) so i guess that will need to stay downstairs. It also doesn’t have a vehicle bay so I was thinking of buying a 4m x 6 metre gazebo to use at weekends to do part wraps or for when it’s raining etc (Obviously with sides).

My second option is a bit further out, it’s 14500mm x 5800mm, has a roller shutter but it’s not high enough to get a big van, i need to measure but i think it’s about 2m high counting the bricks.

It’s out of budget and they want one quarter’s rent up front as well as another quarter as a deposit for the entire lease, but the extra room is a bonus and it will hopefully allow me to get a more of a production line going on some products.

My heads telling me to go with the smaller unit that will give me the much needed space but the vehicle bay and extra space could help me especially in the winter months.

Be good to see everyone’s unit to get a view of what you guys do and what is actually needed