[David McDonald]

Hi Dave

The text “THE” and SPA” are actually flat cuts with no returns at all, NAIL & BEAUTY have a moulded depth of about 1cm – albeit they are flat backed with clear acrylic. The Twisters are bonded using their sticky pads, the wires are then folded backwards and forwards to keep them flat on the letter backs and then the wires are held permanently with translucent exterior silicon. From ground level you can’t see any modules or wiring even though there are no letter returns. Wherever I have cut any modules from the roles then the exposed ends are weather proofed again with dabs of clear silicon.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Dave

They were the normal Twisters and on the edgelit oval they were about 2cm spaced and on the letter backs they were about 4-5cm spaced. I used their on-line layout tool as a general guide as to where to put each module.

The actual letters were on normal medium sized plastic locators – think these are about 15mm?

Having read other posts on the subject I used matt vinyl and dibond to reduce LED reflection points and to help diffuse the light.

The other thing I did was get the moulded letters backed in clear acrylic rather than normal white. The letters look chrome from the front but inside they are white – backing in clear allows light to reflect off all the different angles on the inside of the letter to again spread out and diffuse the light.

The backing board is about 15 degrees leaning forward from the vertical and from the pavement immediately below this again helps obscure the LED reflection points.

I don’t think you can totally get away from the ‘spots’ but I’ve tried to obscure and minimise them on this sign and it has worked out really well.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Dave

Used Twisters from Applelec and for the edgelit spaced them about 50% closer than normal spacing and for the letters I spaced them for the next size up, ie. the largest letters are approx 10.5″ and I used the amount of LED’s recommended for a 12″ letter. Wanted to make sure the overall sign really stands out.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

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[David McDonald]

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[David McDonald]

another shot

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[David McDonald]

Hi

How about going to a reclamation yard and see what you can find?

Macky

[David McDonald]

I noticed yesterday that LIDL of all places are doing digital inclinometers in a traditional spirit level for £22 !!!!!!!

The accuracy is +_ 0.1 degrees – ie just the same as the Bosch one I’d bought for £90 or the JAG one for £96. Also has the same audible alerts, calibration and angle hold feature.

I was almost tempted to buy anotehr as it was so cheap, but not the kind of tool I need two of.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Went for the Fusion 500 as I just happened to have a Grafityp catalogue to hand.

Thanks All

[David McDonald]

Hi

As robert says you can get them from JAG, or any really good tool shop will do a Bosch version that is pre-fitted within a good quality 600mm traditional spirit level – the electronic module is 100% identical bar the branding. (note they do two versions, one is a electronic level and the other is an angle finder),

Macky

Yes – another 3:00 finish! Night All

[David McDonald]

Have just stuck an 8*4 of 3mm aluminium down on one of my benches and I’m really pleased – good combination of durability but slightly soft for cutting on (if that makes sense).

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Jay

I’m doing a job next week with Twisters onto the back of chrome bevelled letters (onto a white Alupanel ground), also some for edge lighting of an acrylic oval in part of the same design.

Involves around 290 white twister modules in all. I guess from the price from Applelec that you must be using a similar amount.

Don’t know if I’ll finish my job before yours but will post piccies as soon as it’s done.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Lynn

No, if I can get one quickly then it will be Yellow, second choice black, third choice Silver.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi All

Many thanks for all the comments and feedback, much appreciated – having now test driven them both for a second time and I’m going to go for the Traffic.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Right it’s decided then I’m going to for a Sherpa from Freight Rover, or possibly a Commer Van.

[David McDonald]

Hi Phil

I’m not sure if JPEG file formats allow you to have a transparent background. As I recall GIF file formats do allow this option. (or they have done when I’ve designed web pages)

Some design applications have a ‘make transparent colour option’ – ie. you identifty a colour with an eye dropper type tool and it makes this colour transparent wherever it appears.

Failing that I design all the vectors in Flexi and export into Photoshop to use its tools to achieve your desired effect.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Rob

Just basic colours required – I’m guessing white, black, yellow, red, blue – just something to contrast well against whatever colour the car/van happens to be.

It could just be regular budget cheap vinyl (any suggestions as to where is cheapest would be good) but there will be a lot to do and they change frequently – hence don’t want to spend 15 minutes applying but 2 to 3 times as long getting the stuff back off (hence removeable)

As for application then i won’t be particularly conforming the vinyl – ie. just a quick smooth down across windows, doors, door seals, filler caps etc. etc. and then a quick cut round the door openings. Odd creases, bubbles and ‘suspended’ vinyl will be OK for these – as quick as possible to get on (and hopefully off again).

What do you think

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi All

Have done a like for like comparison on the Dell website and purely from a Hardware perspective (including the Medion 17″ TFT) then I reckon the Medion is £200 – £300 cheaper than a Dell box. Plus the software package with the Medion is quite extensive, also I notice that the DVD RW is a Lightscribe version.

Of course the Dell ‘deals’ promoted by mailer and on the telly are cheaper than a build your own spec version on their website but even so the Medion price now looks even better to me.

My local Aldi had pallets of them yesterday and has only 10 left today – I’ll be down their first thing to pick one up.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Excellent sign – Have you made that to go on the front of a Toys’R’Us store?

Oh sorry misunderstood

[David McDonald]

Hi Vince

Thanks for that advice – have found a really good supplier of these ST/ST built ups. It’s an amazing coincidence but he was almost as knowledgeable on these things as you are and he’s got a very similar name! I will have to get my PO over to him tomorrow!

Cheers

Macky

[David McDonald]

Rob

I’ll soon find out as I’ve just picked the order up today – will post some pictures in the next few weeks.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Hugh

I’ve never used Banner box but I’ve had some banner poles from Keith at General Banner. They don’t have a tensioning system but they are well made poles. They aren’t painted but I think they are phosphate treated (coated). So they don’t chip or scratch but of course they only come in a bright silver – I use Smoothrite if I want them in white etc.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Steve

last winter was my first and last for outside van jobs – now have my warm (ish) unit. I spent 3 solid days doing one van that had tons of stuff on it, average temp was about 3 to 4 degrees and it took me a whole week to recover.

My tip of the day is to stick a fan heater on inside the van to warm the panels up from inside. Not particluarly cheap but when your fingers are so cold and the vinyl is becoming brittle it’s worth it.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Rob/Carrie

Thanks – I’ve ordered a batch of LED’s & transformer from Ashby, A sample made up LED illuminated letter from Appletec, plus a sample built up letter from Vinnie at Phoenix. These will all take a few days or so to arrive and then I’ll have a play.

But going back to my original question – in the interim if there is anyone out there in the North of England who can let me rent/borrow a demo sample of a built up LED illumated letter/s please come back to me?

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi John

It was simply stroke outlines – obvious you may think but I never ever show stroke outlines when I use Flexi. They can be handy but I just never show them – I’d actually discounted them as the cause because I never show them (doh).

Anyhow I have discovered something bug like in my copy of Flexi – If I type some text (script font) then apply a combination of outlines and distortion effects, then separate them and finally delete them (as individual steps), hey presto the text is left with stroke outlines in black – even though I’ve never changed this attribute. Very strange.

As for beer tokens then I will duly post a full beer token for you to print off in the next few days – this is non transferrable, lasts for the duration of Sign UK and will be exchanged for a cold one upon finding me.

Let me know if you are further south than Watford and I’ll change it to a SHANDY token. (hopefully that’ll get a bit og banter going on the boards today).

Cheers
Macky

Anyhow

[David McDonald]

I’m Saying this in a Victor Meldrew voice “I don’t beleive it!” – after puzzling over this for months I’ve just come across the solution.

I win the beer token – it gets even better!

Macky

[David McDonald]

Yep it’s a standard lightbox made from Dual Case components. The existing acrylic panels are 5mm and I could get away with using 6mm to replace it.

The overall box is 15ft * 2.5Ft, 2 times 7.5ft * 2.5ft panels with centre join.

Text will read “N:HAIR:G” and will be super chunky font (to be decided), overall width around 10-12ft, ie. fairly large single letters and hence my concern about their weight of metal built up letters bowing the panels?

What do you think.

Cheers

[David McDonald]

Hi you are correct in that the frame usually stays fixed and the panels can be replaced – why not contact Universal and ask for the literature on Panatrim – this includes all the relevant info on assembly and fabrication.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi

I usually make sure I tell the customer up front that the lettering will follow the curve of the bonnet, however, if they insist it must look “straight ” then I do the following:-

Just cut a thinnish strip of vinyl the same width as the text / logo to go on the bonnet. You can just tape a pice of string over thebonnet but doesn’t follow the curve exactly the same as when vinyl is applied

Apply this to the bonnet where it would effectively be underlining the text/logo. It will look like a sad smile – ie, following the curvature of the bonnet.

Then measure the distance between the end of the line and “straight” by line by eye. Sometimes I’ll draw a “straight” lline with a Stabilo write on anything pencil (wipes off) so I can stand back and make sure it looks OK.

Then take this measurement into Flexi and distort the text/logo to make it a happy smile shape with the ends the same distance from the horizontal as was the sad smile.

Cut it and apply as normal and one distortion cancels the other out.

It isn’t exact but the distortion is hardly noticed.

If I get chance I’ll post some demo pictures but hopefully the above makes sense.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

I’m just sorting out my business insurance with NFU and they offer a chargeable service to sort out Health & Safety / Risk asessments and policy – not something I’m going to be getting just yet but looks a comprehensive service.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi

here is a link to some acrylic stand off panels that I’d done – Floreeda supplied the panels. Ignore the issue of the bubbles as they all went away after a few days and the signs still look really good.

https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … highlight=

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Finally the depth of cut is (a) related to the offset and (b) is important for how well the vinyl will weed and whether or not the backing paper will delaminate when you try to apply the vinyl.

The tip of the blade should just score the face of the backing paper ever to lightly – in fact if you have a brand new blade then adjust it to it looks more like teh slightest indentation into the backing paper.

To deep and the blade will wear excessively and the paper will be prone to delaminating. To shallow and it won’t weed correctly.

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[David McDonald]

Note that usually only the very tip of the blade will be showing from the blade holder – ie. you can’t really judge the offset by eye.

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[David McDonald]

The enlargement better shows the offset

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[David McDonald]

The cutting edge of the blade is offset from the axis of rotation. This allows drag knife blades to swivel like a caster with the friction of the blade as it cuts through the vinyl. The offset value can be different between differing angles of blade – the cutting face of a 30% blade can enter the vinyl fractionally further offset tfrom the axis of rotation than a 60% degree blade. Similarly a blunt blade gives the same effect.

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[David McDonald]

Have just knocked up some quick illustrations to help show what the offset is etc. Will post them in the gallery forum as this is the only place I can attach images – someone will have to kindly move the post to demos/hints. Give me 5 and I’ll post them

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi

Do you have the instruction manual?

It will state the correct angle and offset, possibly multiple values for different materials.

If you use a 45% blade when a 30% blade should be used then this will give poor cutting – ie. circles won’t join, or square corners become rounded.

Your settings will be specific for your particular brand and model, ie. I use a Mimaki which requires 30% and 0.3mm offset.

Are you using Smartknives from Edward Mathias in Liverpool (might have the spelling incorrect). I think their blade holder colours correspond to specific blade settings? Alternatively give them a call and tell them which machine you have and they’ll send you a blade holder containing a blade preset for your machine and intended application. (although the offset value in your plotter settings must still be correct).

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

It can be annoying but I just politely decline and quickly end the call. If you do accidently get caught up in a longer coversation then take notes – some of their methods of overcoming objections are quite good.

At the end of the day they are just selling their particular service in the same way I sell my services when I cold call prospective customers on the phone or in person.

It’s a numbers game – some can be quite offensive, some will politely decline, some will take the literature and of course some have a requirement for my services. For the latter category they aren’t unhappy that I called out of the blue and I focus on these rather than the ones who set the dogs on me!

I think my point is that if we want to sell to people then we must accept people want to sell to us. Live and let live.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi

1 and 1 are good whilst you use them but trying to cancel your hosting contract is a real pain if you ever need to. They give you Netobjects Fusion with some of their packages and this is really good for setting up a template based site with good navigation. I reckon that even a novice can have a basic functional website up and running within an evening. It takes longer to decide on the structure, write the actual narrative for each page and source the artwork/photo’s etc.

With regrds to images for your website then mine contains photo’s from most of the main sign suppliers – I’ve contacted them all and simply asked for permission. Not one has ever refused.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi, the saw cuts with a really smooth clean edge although you do have to run it along a straight edge. If I get Europoint to pre-cut Alupanel for me then it’s equal or better to the cut they achieve (and that’s very good), no wavy edge as per a jig saw. It is almost as noisy as a regular cicrular saw and it doesn’t have a particularly soft start so power it up before you start making the cut. I got mine from the QVC outlet store of all places – I guess they must have been selling them on the shopping channel and these were unsold stock? As for build quality then although it feels fairly robust I’d compare it more to Black & Decker quality than DeWalt but still think it’s worth the full price. (even though I got it on the cheap).

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

I picked up a superb tool for cutting Dibond and similar. It’s like a mini hand held circular saw with the blade held within a sping loaded retractable cover plate that you set to any depth required. The cut is really fine and the cut edges don’t need any sanding or deburring. I recently had a few hundred 4"*1.5" brushed aluminium Dibond pieces to cut. You can set the depth to just beyond the thickness of the Dibond. I just layed the Dibond on top of an MDF sheet and just ran backwards and forwards down the sheet cutting out strips and then cross ways to off cut the peices. Much quicker and a better finish than jig or table saw.

exaktpt.com

I only paid £35 from a catalogue clearance outlet – usually cost around another £100 on top but having used it I would have paid the normal price. Not sure how long the blades will last and extras are around £5 each. Make sure you use the dust extraction hose as otherwise it does get fairly blocked in a few minutes operation though.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

I’ve just bulit two 10’*5′ wooden benches with a ply top that I’ve laminated in Formica. I’ll be placing something consumable over the top for when I’m cutting anything.

Only down side was cutting the Formica – has anyone else ever tried doing this and have any recommendations as to how best to get a clean splinter free cut?

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Derek – I get the same ‘bunching’ whenever I cut chrome film. I use the 5-year Coburn stuff and I put it down to static. Normally when I’m cutting regular vinyl I just let it stack up folding backwards and forwards on itself front and back of the plotter – do this with the chrome stuff and the static ‘cling’ is so strong it drags the next fold back in under the pich rollers (if that makes sense). More than a tad annoying when you waste 4 metres at £9 per metre. Only way around is to lay it out flat on both sides of the plotter – can’t find any other solution. I guess it’s because chrome film is usually polyester and not vinyl, ie. poly generates tons more static.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi UHM

I can guarantee I’ve been in that off licence!

I used brushed aluminium – I prefer this to the stainless effect even though the stainless starts off looking better, but after a few weeks general weathering and road ‘grime’ I think the brushed looks cleaner/brighter.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi All

Thanks for the comments, If I could have waited until after the weekend then I would have sent these back to be made properly. I really had to get these done otherwise I didn’t have another opportunity to re-fit them prior to their new office opening.

I understand mistakes can happen and I’m not going to ask for a discount or recompense – Just want to voice my concern. I’ve cooled down now and I probably will order from them again – my theory being they will pay particular attention to getting my future orders 100% right.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi All

Went back and had a look yesterday and 99% of the bubbles have gone?

Rob – thanks for the constructive crit, can see what you mean.

Thanks
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi, they are based in the West Midlands.

Macky

[David McDonald]

http://www.modulex.co.uk/servlet/doc?PageID=BPON-4W7CTV

Takes you to their product page

Macky

[David McDonald]

Popdog

Yep it was cast – I shall take your advice and from now on I will only use cheap materials to make signs out of! (or for acrylic ones at least).

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Big G

I cleaned the panels with Rapd-Tac which according to the data sheet is OK for cleaning glass & acrylic – although reading their list of uses there isn’t much you can’t use Raid-Tac for (could just be a ploy to get you to buy more).

Now you’ve asked the question though this does sound a fairly likely cause – maybe I should have used Iso alcohol?

Macky

[David McDonald]

The panel was ‘masked’ on both sides and I immediately applied the vinyl as soon as this was removed – maybe I should have left it for a few days as Jill suggests.

I’d requested the edges to be flame polished from my supplier but they could have been polished or laser cut – I can’t tell.

I have a gut feeling that the bubbles will disappear as soon as they came I will have to wait and see.

Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi All

Thanks for the comments. Take on board the pointers abour kerning – I will have to tweak this in future.

As for my lucky sign making shorts – I thought all sign makers had a pair? I wear them just on the off chance it will stop raining – mostly it doesn’t.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

More Shots

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[David McDonald]

Another

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[David McDonald]

Another

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[David McDonald]

Hi Chez

Thanks I’ve just received some samples of 6T21 from Perspex Disti, just round the corner in Blackburn. I’m playing around with a few mock ups for a customer.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi

Go to this website and take a look:-

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/ … 06218.hcsp

There are 3 types of outdoor advertisement.

1) Advertisements delibertaley excluded from planning control
2) Those with ‘deemed consent’ (as long as it’s within certain guide lines)
3) Those for which ‘ express consent’ is always required.

From your description it is highly likely to fall into the express consent category – ie. legally someone should obtain permission. I say someone as it’s down to the customer to get permission but you could always manage this process on their behalf as a chargeable part of your service? The biggest exception is around forecourts on business premises this is usual reason why something of the format you describe would fall into deemed consent – see the section on Class 6 signs.

I would recommend putting something in writing to notify the customer of the planning status at least to allow them to make an informed choice – I think it is the customer who will get the penalty but you don’t really want to have any run in’s with planning – best to keep them on your side.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi Capricorn

Thanks for the contact details – Yep it’s the green ‘plate glass’ look that I’m after. They are mailing me a quote shortly.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Chris

At the moment I’ve not yet taken the plunge to go full time, I’m still working a 9-5:30 M-F for someone else, although I signed up yesterday for a 3-year lease on a small industrial unit as I’m getting so busy even working part time as my enquiry to conversion rate is about 80%. I could switch full time today but want my regular salary just a little while longer whilst I fit out the place.

I’m definitely not the cheapest sign maker in my area but I attribute this to my sales background, albeit I’ve always been into graphic design and porfessional DIY in a big way.

The point is you can be the best graphic designer and sign fabricator around but as a small service business you need to be very skilled in selling aswell – the ability to close a deal & get the deposit whilst sat with the customer (before anyone else even gets a chance), those subtle persuasive techniques, the art of negotiation to retain margins etc. etc.

Of course I don’t know your background and this may be a case of teaching someone to suck eggs. There are loads of good books on teh subject and around here there are even short College courses on sales & marketing. Might be worth taking a look.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Following on from what Chris said then if you want a 30% mark-up then multiply your cost price by 1.3, if you want to get 30% gross (retained) margin then divide your cost price by 0.7 Or 1.2 and 0.8 for 20% etc. etc.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Once Again thanks ZORROXRN

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Thanks for that – I’ll go with the flood coat just to be sure.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi

As I recall Photoshop PSD files can contain both vectors and bitmap images. However, if it’s designed as a bitmap then you will need something like Adobe Streamline or the Live Trace feature that replaced it in later versions of Illustrator. I have Flexi and it’s an integral feature.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

It’s very easy to build a compelling business case either way on this one. If you speak to anyone from a leasing company they will come up with the following reasons:-

Makes your payments revenue rather than capital with the associated tax benefits. Takes assets off the books – makes the finaces look stronger.
Allows you to invest in new equipment in the absence of any up front capital expenditure (either you haven’t got the money or you want to preserve capital / leverage your money elsewhere) – This investment might be unavoidable ie. you have to have a van to work, or alternatively you want to invest to grow ie. get a wide format printer etc. Can off set future residual values against the rental to take into account depreciation etc. etc. etc.

My general rule of thumb is if you are buying a replacement for something that is a fundamental asset to allow you to stay in business then buy it (comfort factor and all that) – if it’s an investment to grow your business than finance it. If you finance it then keep financing it, ie. when the lease is up after 3-years then upgrades/replace the kit and start again. If you get a competitive rate per £1000 then you can usually prove that financing an asset is effectively cost neutral over the term and you get all the other benefits listed.

These are just my opinions. Remember your home is at risk if you don’t keep up payments on loans secured against it!!

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Many years off I know but collectively we sign makers will surely profit from such an event – albeit I suppose more concentrated on those of us servicing corporate customers. Advertising expenditure will increase massively – TV cameras everywhere – everyone wanting their logo, name, message plastered on everything and anything. And then we’ll get paid to take them all down when it’s finished

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi

Just a thought – whichever design you finally go with don’t cover 100% of the windows. It’ll look like a shop that’s closed and someone is just renting the window space for an advert – ie. the type of thing you see all the time in shopping centres.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Dex – just pi55 into an empty beer can – the downside being when the drugs squad raid the pub and you get caught for possesion of Canopi55

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Interesting post this as 95% of the time I produce artwork against every quote I do – and in many cases 3 or 4 different options. It means I’m working stupid hours to keep on top but I’m winning lots of business and building up local market share etc. Touch wood so far I’ve not seen anyone rip off my designs but I’m sure it will happen.

From personal experience I know it is ridiculously easy to take someone through the small claims court (although it was me on the receiving end – I hasten to add that their claim was thrown out on the day as having no legal basis).

Anyway, It really is just a case of pay your money and you will almosr certainly get your day in court. Although I was pi55ed off that I had to be there in the first place the process on the day was actually very impressive. It is true that as the claimant you have to prove you generated the design first but the quality of proof required is far less than say for a ‘proper’ court. It would be much more about convincing the Judge – showing him print outs of designs, an audit trail of communications/correspondance etc. Arguably none of these give 100% cast iron proof but they would be good enough.

The biggest risk is you will lose the £120 or so it cost you to make the claim if they simply refuse to stump up payment after any award against them – although you will have the satisfaction they they get a CCJ.

You will make a claim once and it won’t take long for other local rogues to learn through the Grape Vine you will take them to court.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi Peter

The company producing the vehicle outline artwork does own that specific representation as their intellectual property which they can legally protect. The 4-5 companies I know of that produce vehicle outlines will all produce something slightly different for the same vehicle model and each has their own style.

Anyway no point really other than we should pay for original copies to make sure someone is still around to produce them

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Brushed aluminium 3mm Alucolour is around the ton mark for a 10’*5′ sheet from Europoint if that helps.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Everyday of the week there are 20-30 Secabo, Creation, Dingtec, Dingbat cutters on eBay- I don’t know why I never see anyone bid on these. However, as soon as you get a Graphtec, Roland, Mutoh, Mimaki, Summa etc. used plotter for sale a bidding war breaks out and they sell for more than these other brands even when they are 4-5 years old.

Graphtec are excellent plotters – I can’t recall a single bad model.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

OK I admit it. I haven’t got the secret and I made it look like a Mod Edit….. Or I could just be in on their deal !

[David McDonald]

I’ve got the secret on how to become extremely wealthy without any effort.

All you have to do is (mod-edit) admin@uksignboards.com
sorry, that idea is just too good – we are keeping it to ourselves

I think you will agree that this will solve all our financial problems – I’m so pleased I could share this idea with you.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Just ‘select all’ and set them to be the same colour – for the design you describe you don’t have to compound them at all if you are struggling with this option. Just cut it and then it’s then just down to how you weed it.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi All

I’ve only ever used LGChem 7000 Plus, never had any problems at all.

Every sign I’ve done still looks good up to 24 months down the line (only started then). I’ve put it on ‘short term’ banners that have turned out to have been in use far longer than scheduled and they still look good. I’ve ‘moulded’ it with heat guns into many a Sprinter/LT recess without any issues and it cuts & weeds fine for me. No evidence of shrinking, peeling or cracking in any degree.

I might try something else the next time a supplier offer drops through the letterbox – but it would have to be a really good offer to beat the price of the LG stuff. (APS)

The only issue I’ve ever had is when showing customers the LG colour charts they are put off with the brand name “LG”, ie. rather have a Sony TV than an LG one!

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi RJC

I agree with Peter, the price does seem quite expensive, although I’m only telling you the problem and not the solution as I don’t have an alternative company to recommend.

It seems a fairly basic design tool but I guess it would be fine for self service basic sign design. The only issue I can see is that it allows you to upload your own bitmaps – OK if you are printing but not if cut vinyl, also you will need to vectorise etc. and 9 times out of 10 customer artwork is usually poor.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Try this website to make your own Frog Juice !!

http://home.comcast.net/~fiab/frogbender.html

Macky D[/url]

[David McDonald]

Not really an employer/employee point but talking about comittment I started the regular day job at 06:00 yesterday morning, finished at 18:30. Started my other ‘sign’ job as soon as I got home and now just about to turn in for the night after finishing some customer designs, have added a few more pages to my sign web site and answered the quotes and enquiries taken on the sly during the day. Back up tomorrow morning at 05:00 to start again.

The buzz is keeping me going – almost now at the point when I can switch full time and go it alone. Then all I need to worry about is employing people!

Macky D

[David McDonald]

I agree, close call but an excellent scam – can’t wait to try it out !

Will let you know how much money I make – catch my progress on ukSCAMboards.com

Macky

[David McDonald]

quote phil the fitter:

Good signage is rarely cheap, Cheap signage is never good!

We offer 2 types of service

1. A QUICK, QUALITY service that isn’t CHEAP
2. A CHEAP, QUICK service that isn’t QUALITY

Macky D

[David McDonald]

I’ve done quite a few magnetic panels for Berlingo vans in recent weeks – I just cut them with regualr scissors against a paper template that matches the panel recess.

I think there is a market for someone selling magnetic sheet to sign makers that is pre-cut to exactly fit the panel recesses of different vans? It wasn’t hard it’s just fiddly and takes up valuable time.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Application Tape Co. do the R-Tape range on 01706633043

reading the literature though I don’t think the ‘Cheery Red’ is available in their ‘Durable’ grade for exterior use – only the silvers and golds have this option

[David McDonald]

If I’m supplying the plate & post signs plus the graphics and the groundworks/installation then I’ll charge between £4k – £6k for a set of 18, including 1 annual change of the sponsors logo. This would be for a 2 plate system – top plate with printed map of the ground and yardage info, bottom plate with cut or printed vinyl to suit sponsor

As for your vinyl only then it’s got to be on a time and materials basis?

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Crikey Phil

I seem to remember you having much more hair when I worked for you at Granthams about 9 years back!

Dave McDonald

[David McDonald]

How about just selecting ToolBar – Image, Adjust, Hue/Saturation. Check the ‘colorize’ button then adjust the hue and saturation sliders until you get the recolouration of the whole image as you want it.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi

You should just be able to Cut or Copy the contents of the clipping path and then Paste this onto your alternative background?

For a feathered edge then make sure your Navigator tool bar is showing (Toolbar at the top – Window – Show Navigator), Select the options (marquee options) tab and this will allow you to slelect the number of pixels for a feathered edge. (0 for crisp edge and more for a gradual fade out). A very very slight feathering can make your plate of food look less like it’s been superimposed onto another picture.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Dewi

All vinyl – approx 70 metres worth, I though I’d never get it all on. The signs make the van look smaller, it’s an LWB Master. The silhouettes on the sides are around 3m width.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

And it rained on me all weekend – I dropped a scalpel onto my hand and the cat was sick.

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Attachments:

[David McDonald]

Another shot

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Attachments:

[David McDonald]

NuTool or Power Devil are the best !
(only joking)

Mostly Bosch / Dewalt – it’s worth investing in something decent

[David McDonald]

Hi the plotters you are looking for are the SummaSign T-Series.

Download PDF brochure on this URL:-

http://www.summa.be/pages/summasign-t.html

If I had the money I’d buy one – they are absolutely superb and totally bullet proof.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Cheers Adrian, I guess it must be a printed banner they were offered.

Macky D

[David McDonald]

This is the URL for the manufacturer:-

http://www.pcut-cn.com/english/index1.htm

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hello

I use http://www.vistaprint.co.uk for my business cards and they do a magnetic version that works really well.

Here is a tip – don’t order magnetic business cards in the first instance. Order a small quantity of normal business cards. At almost daily intervals thereafter you will start getting e-mail special offers from Vistaprint allowing you to go and purchase things FOC or mega-reduced, albeit you pay for the postage only.

ie. if you place a straight order for 1000 custom business cards it’ll cost you around £50 – £60. Instead just order 250 at around £13 and then a few days later you will get the offer and can order further batches of 500 for around a £5 (or cheaper) each batch! Also, this is where the magentic cards come in – you can buy batches of 25 FOC and just pay £2 P&P each batch + VAT, so an average of under 10P each. Normally you’d have to pay around 25p each even on very large order quantities? I just keep re-ordering batches of 25 – OK it’s a bit long winded if I want 500 but it saves money!

One more tip – pay for the ‘slow’ delivery, it’s far cheaper and everything I’ve ever ordered has come in a week, even though you have the option to pay more for a fast 1-week delivery?

Cheers
Macky D

I just can’t help helping!

[David McDonald]

OK maybe I’m not quite as black and white on the subject as my last post suggests. I won’t exceed the ‘natural limits’ that exist in the surrounding area. ie. what I’ll do before raising likely planning issues with the customer will be in line with the sizes and styles used locally for some time (whether or not technically they comply) – I’m not going to be the first to put a massive tacky sign in an inapproriate location (not that I ever get involved in making tacky signs).

I gather that planning enfocement varies from region to region and although I’m still feeling my way along what I do is the right balance for where I’m based.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

I’m on AOL and it’s very reliable from an availability point of view, BUT be warned that if you want to send non-AOL mail via their SMTP server it’s a total pain in the backside.

They rate limit restrict Port-25 access so in theory you can only send e-mails every 11 minutes or so (in reality try it more than frequently than every 30-minutes and it causes problems). If you accidently send mail more frequently than this you can get ‘locked out’ for 24-hours before it works again. In fact sometimes it just doesn’t work at all and AOL simply will not provide any support. It’s not really an error but their way of ensuring people don’t use AOL to automatically send millions of SPAM e-mails.

You can get round it by using AOL Communicator but why should you have to install their mail client instead of Outlook.

If it wasn’t for the fact I’ve had my family e-mail addresses with AOL for nearly 8-years then I’d change immediately.

Just my experience but don’t use AOL for your business Domain e-mail.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

I’ve just fallen foul of planning for putting out an A-board of a similar size to the one you have pictured. The enforcement officer gave me a good dressing down and I ate plenty of humble pie as he’s really someone you don’t need as an enemy. Anyway took the sign back in and promised I’d strictly comply with planning law (or at least until he’s forgotten about me).

The point I want to make is that 70% of the signs I see going up locally fall foul of planning (mine included). I have a big disclaimer on all my paperwork and forms stating it’s 100% with the customer to ensure they have any and all necessary planning approval.

If a customer asks me for a sign that is clearly beyond planning size limits for the intended application then thats what they will get (with a few disclaimers along the way). If they ask for something that is just larger than an acceptable planning size then I’ll make it slightly smaller to comply, although I still won’t mention planning. (who knows the next sign might be a big one and I don’t want planning to put them off!!).

The following link takes you to the government document that tells you what is allowed. Class2(b) miscellaneous advertisements on any premises is very useful, ie any sign on any premises up to 0.3 square metres on each frontage without planning etc.

“Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers”

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/ … 06218.hcsp

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

I don’t know if I’m really qualified to put my 2 pennies into this thread but anyway.

The sign business is no different from any other I’ve worked in (even though I am relatively new to the manufacturing side). There is a continual process of commoditisation whereby it becomes ever more important to get a value added element or differentiation in your service offering as the numbers of “I’ve got a plotter and now I’m a sign maker” types increase every day.

Professionalism, good marketing, design talent and original thought should always keep the quality jobs coming in. When the effort and expense is becoming too much to keep ahead of all the clones then either give up or invest, expand your volumes and develop new service offerings and start the cycle again. OK thats easier said than done but its the reality.

Never mind a second hand plotter for under a grand, you can get an unbranded 36″ plotter new for around that price every day of the week on e-bay. Before I took a break out of the industry a few years back I was selling 24″ Mutohs and Graphtecs at £4K-£5K each!

Macky D

[David McDonald]

Hi

Never used this website yet myself but it it asks you a series of questions about the font and helps you identify what you are looking at.

http://www.identifont.com

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers
Macky D

[David McDonald]

Thanks for the info