Duncan Wilkie
Forum Replies Created
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A step toward freedom. Set your terms. Fulfill your end. Move on.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberAugust 30, 2023 at 1:40 pm in reply to: Should you worry when the local competition start to move in on your patch?Nothing seems to change…
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberDecember 5, 2022 at 3:42 pm in reply to: Can i cut magnetic roll in a vinyl cutter?Gerber makes a product called Gerbermag. https://www.spandex.com
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberNovember 9, 2022 at 3:19 pm in reply to: Ink scrubbed off sign? will it show up under a vinyl wrap?Hi Rob,
We used to repaint a lot of plastic sign faces back in the day. Since the 80’s, we insist on new acrylic or POLYCARBONATE. Removing paint from old sign faces is dodgy and messy and requires nasty chemicals. If it’s and illuminated face, it’s probably painted or screen printed with lacquer type paint or ink. On acrylic, lacquer thinner will break it down. If it’s Polycarbonate, the lacquer thinner will ruin the face. We used to use Methanol for poly faces. CAUTION: If Acrylic has been out in the hot Sun for an extended period, it undergoes a physical change. If this occurs, hot solvent like lacquer thinner can cause it to “craze”.
Do yourself a favour and use new acrylic and you won’t have to deal with the hazardous chemicals, toxic waste and the risk of ruining the face.
This is experience talking. 🙂
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberNovember 9, 2022 at 3:28 pm in reply to: Ink scrubbed off sign? will it show up under a vinyl wrap?I’m an idiot. I just re-read your post. Aluminum is a totally different animal. Disregard my previous rant. Same advice replace or cover it with a new piece of ACP.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberNovember 7, 2022 at 3:11 pm in reply to: What do you use, Composite or PVC Sheet?Composite for almost everything exterior. PVC for dimensional graphics. Non-glare Acrylic for interior wayfinding signage.
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Wow. That’s a very singular project.
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Flock adhesive can be used without the flock as a straight textile printing ink. It works well and covers nicely.
That fact that you used to be a screen printer may be the cause of your fuzzy memory. 🙂
I can’t believe the chemicals and fumes I’ve been exposed to over the years. I’m shocked I still have any brain cells left.
We used to print vinyl ink with this puppy and clean up with lacquer thinner.
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Hi Rob,
They supplied the panels cut to size. We screenprinted directly on them. They then took the panels and sewed them into umbrellas. We used Flock Adhesive, solvent based ink. We used a floating register to line up the registration. There were two hits of white for coverage.
We did a lot of this kind of work for them. Luckly, we didn’t screw up any of them. 🙂
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I don’t know if this is classified as exciting, but it was shrouded in secrecy. This was about 15 or more years ago. Nike was doing a huge unveiling of Tiger Woods new logo in California. We are not strangers to the non-disclosure of re-branding projects, so we took it in stride. The panels were screen printed prior to final sewing.
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Great story mate.
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Is this the video you’re talking about? I made this 10 years ago. 🙂 I now pounce with a Summa. So much quieter than the Graphtec and does a great job.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberMarch 17, 2022 at 10:55 pm in reply to: Vinyl Shortages, what are your thoughts on this escalating problem?I’m from across the pond in Canada.
For a little while, there was a shortage of premask, but when the stock arrived, we stocked up.
We also stocked up on Gerber Foils and basic Black, white, red and Dk Grey in 2mil and 3mil. Those are the ones we use the most of. We keep two spares of Roland Ecosol of the 6 colours plus Cleaning Cartridges. Vinyls for the printer a couple of rolls each of Matte White, Gloss White and Clear. For substrates. Usually at lease a dozen of Non Glare clear acrylic 2mm and 3mm, ACP and Coroplast. So we are good to go as long as we have power.
If the power fails, I’ll get out the lettering quills and One Shot enamel. 🙂
As far as you folks in the UK. It would be an idea to use this forum to buy and sell at least small quantities among yourselves like Tim has done here. It might merit a separate forum. We all have colours in stock that we seldom use, and it might be a way to move some to those that need it.
Cheers,
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberFebruary 23, 2022 at 3:22 pm in reply to: Solvent and Eco Solvent inkjet inks. Possible future concerns.Fascinating. Thanks for the info. Graham.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberJanuary 25, 2022 at 10:14 pm in reply to: Freestanding Sign fail, any ideas why you think this happened?They certainly weren’t engineers. Everything is flimsy. Way under built. I don’t see the base in the pic, but it undoubtedly wasn’t appropriate either. When you aren’t going to hire a structural engineer to design the sign, you need to overbuild to be safe. This sign is a perfect example of what not to do.
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Our first full day was today. Orders started coming in yesterday. Lot’s of activity today, so we are full steam ahead now.
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Best Wishes from Canada. Here’s looking for a successful 2022. Is it really 2022?
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberDecember 8, 2021 at 4:11 pm in reply to: Pre-cut Frames for aluminium composite panelsRob’s got the right idea. We’ve used this method for decades in Canada for Acrylic and polycarbonate faces. We’ve also used it for ACP. We make our own frames. Our supplier sells it in 24’ lengths. We use hanger bars bonded to top and bottom of the sign face. This way the face hangs down straight and this prevents bulging and warping of plastic faces. The bottom hanger bar prevents blow out from wind.
- This reply was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by Duncan Wilkie.
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Now that’s an impressive display.
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David is bang on. Try to find a specialty and concentrate on it. Be the best and streamline your energy. We do all kinds of signs too, but over the years, we’ve been able to specialize more. To the point that we do certain signs for other sign companies. Once you focus, key in on other sign companies. Let them do the leg work. Many of them are digital printers only. If you have a router, promote it. We did that and it worked out great. I’m also an old school signwriter. Most of that comes from others. We also focused on Architectural signage, directories, wayfinding and the like. Again larger and smaller sign companies come to us.
Bottom line, you can’t be everything to everyone.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberAugust 17, 2021 at 2:40 pm in reply to: Pricing jobs, is there a general process to follow?Hi Leslie. You are in good company. Pricing sign work is a universal problem.
If there is no design concept, it is impossible to quote a price. Established shops will insist on a separate design fee, before quoting. Your best bet is to give them a range. The design fee should be separate and include creating print ready files. Often the design time can be greater than the production time.
Martin has posted a brilliant starting point for discussion of range.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberApril 14, 2021 at 2:25 pm in reply to: What sign system is this and where to buy?Hi Peter. That is “Slatz”
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberApril 5, 2021 at 9:54 pm in reply to: Finger Post Signs, help locating a supplier? -
Duncan Wilkie
MemberMarch 11, 2021 at 6:19 pm in reply to: Simon Polakof interviews Rob Lambie, Podcast.Rob, you make us all look like slackers,
I’m about 6 hr. behind you, so when I text or message you, I don’t expect a reply til the next day. Often you respond right away. Now I know why… you never sleep. 🙂
What accent? I’ve been listening to Nathan Evans for a month straight now…
🙂
You and your family are one of a kind. Best Wishes from Canada.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberMarch 8, 2021 at 5:20 pm in reply to: Simon Polakof interviews Rob Lambie, Podcast.Rob is a man of mystery for sure and a credit to the Sign Industry. The Fred Dinbah of the UK sign industry. 🙂
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I’ve tracked it down. It is Stag Sans – Book and Stag Sans – light
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Hi Dan,
I think the idea is good. There are certainly some challenges. In my old sign shop, we had a light table on an easil. It was great for registering colours.
Back in the day, we signwriters used easels to support our work on. Much easier than leaning over a sign flat on a table.
There are angled CNC router tables. I think those are a bit of an engineering nightmare, but someone has worked it out.
I guess your idea is doable, but it’s going to take some head scratching.
Let us know how it works out.
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Hey Chris. Glad you found us. Enjoy looking around an posting on the forums.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberSeptember 15, 2020 at 7:57 pm in reply to: Home based now, after 30 years with a Storefront.At one time businesses didn’t take you seriously if you where home based. It’s different now. Being home based means you are actively social distancing. We have very little direct contact with our customers now and that suits our customers fine. Being home based is becoming so common now, that the stigma is fading away.
So far, we love our new business model. So much of our sales Dollars (pounds) stay with us now. We have all the work we can handle, but we have much more control.
We have a good bunch of industry partners that we work with on jobs that we can no long do in-house. Mark up is a wonderful thing.
Maybe it’s time for a “Home based” forum. Rob. 🙂 There are a lot of considerations to think about. Primary is obtaining City permission to run a business out of a residence. We’ve been through all that and more. I’d be happy to share our experiences, just ask.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberSeptember 13, 2020 at 8:26 pm in reply to: Home based now, after 30 years with a Storefront.Hi Karen,
We are loving it. We have more control and a lot more of the revenue stays with us. At the storefront, it was the other way around and getting worse. This is a good move for us. I’m 67 on Tuesday and this is like retirement. 🙂 Breakfast and lunch on the deck is a real bonus. Having our granddaughter dropping by for a bit of weeding is a treat.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberSeptember 8, 2020 at 3:00 pm in reply to: Home based now, after 30 years with a Storefront.I’ve built a 4’x10’ table top that fits over the game table. What a treat. It has a polyethylene mat on top. I’ve added a temporary 2’ extension to work on an especially long project.
- This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by Duncan Wilkie.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberAugust 16, 2020 at 2:19 am in reply to: Home based now, after 30 years with a Storefront.We are slowly getting settled in. The last major task is getting the workshop organized in the garage. We’ve been very busy, so it’s a slow process.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberJuly 30, 2020 at 12:51 am in reply to: Home based now, after 30 years with a Storefront.I could have been a lumberjack. “nailed the landing on the booth stack”.https://youtu.be/__P7oz3VM9s
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Time for us to sell, work for the new owner a bit then go back to hand lettering again to keep me outta trouble.
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I see the Broccoli has been jettisoned. 😉
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberMay 4, 2019 at 12:35 am in reply to: Hello Everybody (Again) From Craig at SX StokeCheers mate, welcome back.
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Welcome back. Love your nick.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberApril 18, 2019 at 1:32 am in reply to: New Member introduction. hope its in the right place.Hi Andrew. Good to have you aboard.
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Welcome back. Sounds like you sure need some sign friends therapy. Glad you’re on the comeback.
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Sorry to hear of your struggles Dave. Your contributions in the past were good and often entertaining. Thanks for checking in, and all the best on the rebuild… Dave 2.0.
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Hi Stuart.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberOctober 28, 2018 at 10:43 pm in reply to: Hand painted sign on renovated building.Well done Neil. Hand painting rocks!
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Hi David. Welcome, glad you joined up, enjoy.
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Mighty nice execution Neil.
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Hi Paul. Good to see you here. Enjoy.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberMay 2, 2018 at 3:21 am in reply to: Traditional signwriting, Blairgowrie Scotlandquote Brian Little:latest job new restaurantNice work Brian.
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Welcome Bill.
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Merry Christmas to you all, and have a Happy New Year too.
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We had a defective print head. Instead of getting grey in the halftone we were getting a pinkish colour. It turns out it wasn’t printing the LT. cyan properly. LT Cyan and LT Magenta surprisingly are used to print the half tone greys. The spot greys were printing fine. Apparently this is a common issue with that print head.
Strangely, it didn’t happen all the time. -
Do you have LT Magenta and LT Cyan cartridges in your set up?
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Oracal here and Orajet for the printer.
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Welcome back Barrie.
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Love the secondary copy letter style, and your execution is top notch.
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Love to see a signwriter at work. Nice job Brian.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberApril 9, 2017 at 4:24 am in reply to: International Sign Shows – which to attend?I’m off to Vegas later this month for ISA. Always a great show. 3hr. Direct flight from here.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberMarch 16, 2017 at 4:37 am in reply to: When you want to strangle the competitionSo many good points here. I’ve been making signs full time for over 45 years. Technology has changed, but bonehead competitors and customers haven’t. Our current and theory is buy a lot of product from other sign shops, Mark it up and sell it to our customers. This mostly applies to anything digitally printed. People are fighting it out in a ditch they’ve dug for themselves trying to make their equipment payments. We have a niche market in wayfinding and custom dimensional signage. We try to stick with that inhouse and sub out a lot of the other stuff. Our banners come from a company 300 km away, our Metal letters and coroplast are made at businesses over 1500 km away. They guarantee their work, and they turn it around quickly and it’s shipped to our door. Is it a perfect solution? No, but it’s way better than hoping into the ditch with the others. Advice to everyone. If you don’t have business training, get some right away or hire a professional. I think I’ve made every possible business mistake over the years. You can’t afford to wing it, trust me, please. Time for a beer. [emoji41]
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Last fall my hand lettering jobs were becoming more plentiful. I expect and look forward to more in the spring. ‘Still busy with architectural, wayfinding and dimensional projects.
Happy New Year everyone.
UKSB is still the best forum. Thanks Rob. -
Duncan Wilkie
MemberDecember 30, 2016 at 4:08 am in reply to: What method are you using to cut acrylic in house?I have attached below a guide to cutting and working with Acrylic.
We use a triple chip saw blade in our table saw and panel saw.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberDecember 17, 2016 at 7:28 pm in reply to: Suggestions on buying tools tools from USA?I’ve never see such a selection of sign stuff as in their 300 page online catalogue.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberDecember 17, 2016 at 5:20 pm in reply to: Suggestions on buying tools tools from USA?They do show a dealer in England. https://www.yellotools.com/shop/Yelloto … :_:30.html
Of course, there is always ordering online.
I’m in Canada, I’ just placed an order at Hanover in England for some Signwriting brushes.
All the best Daniel. -
Duncan Wilkie
MemberDecember 17, 2016 at 2:52 am in reply to: Suggestions on buying tools tools from USA?Hi Daniel, do you know about these folks. They manufacture in Germany. They may have a dealer in the UK. Their tool selection is over the top. https://www.yellotools.com/shop/index.php?language=en
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Welcome Jasper.
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8"x 8" concrete blocks, Simon. Thanks.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberOctober 12, 2016 at 3:41 am in reply to: Video of A recent signwriting job i did.Great job. Love the video.
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I’ll load a new one, no worries Rob.
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A huge resource base here Steve, and darn fine people too.
I’m not sure why my picture has disappeared. Maybe time to update the ol’ avatar anyway. :smiles: I’ll check into that when I’ve got a minute. If I keep posting in the wrong forum like this, maybe more than my Avatar will go missing. :yikes: -
Welcome Steve. Your questions and input are equally important. Enjoy.
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Hi George welcome. Good to have you here.
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Good to see you back Kevin.
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Thanks guys. It was nice to get away from the office for a few days. 😆
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HI Samuel. Glad you’ve joined up. Welcome.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberJune 30, 2016 at 1:45 pm in reply to: New Hunter Douglas logo needed, anyone have it?Thank you so much Jamie.
Rob, that was my first thought, but the new type style is slightly different.
I’m hand painting a large exterior wall. I’ll post a picture once I’m done.
Again thank you Jamie and uksignboards. -
Good to have you Jesse.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberJune 4, 2016 at 11:49 pm in reply to: The world’s first fully automated vinyl weeding machineAn amazing engineering job. :appl: I don’t now how you could justify the investment. 20,000. Seems low 220,000. Is out of sight. But then back in the day we spent over 20,000 on a Gerber sprint. And 200. Per font.
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Glad you jumped in. The water is fine. :thumbup2:
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Glad to see you enjoying the boards.
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It seems the tips of V carving bits have a tendency to break of, so we just use one in that condition to slot the ACP. It works well for us. Nice tight bends.
Just a heads up there are different grades of these ACP sheets. The Econo grade has a thinner metal face and it is suitable only for flat applications I will usually crack when bent. Use the panels with the thicker "skin". Ex. E-Panel is thin, Dibond is thicker – same manufacturer. -
Welcome Steve. All the best mate.
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Gerber makes a bit specifically for that.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberMarch 26, 2016 at 8:33 pm in reply to: I think that I was fair with my response??I’m at a loss for words Hugh. All I’ll say is it’s like taking a brand new Jag. and painting it with a long knap roller.
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Sounds like my idea of retirement John. :lol1:
Best Wishes. -
Duncan Wilkie
MemberDecember 23, 2015 at 4:49 am in reply to: Semi retirement ideas required pleaseGood topic. Some good ideas here. Lot’s of us are at this point and decisions need to be made. Thanks to you all for your ideas. We are in the process too. I will document our journey and share it here when completed.
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Merry Christmas everyone.
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Welcome Chris. All the best.
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Good for you. You’ve opened up a terrific resource. Welcome.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberOctober 24, 2015 at 3:33 am in reply to: Why Disney loves these designs by signwriter Dave SmithAll that talent and quite a nutter too. Glad we finally met.
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Hi Mark. Welcome.
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It is a standard Gemini pad.
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5’x13’ we used to print banners with it.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberJanuary 25, 2022 at 11:36 pm in reply to: Freestanding Sign fail, any ideas why you think this happened?👏
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Isn’t that always the way Rob.
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When we bought our Gerber Super Sprint we got to pick 10 fonts. Addiitional fonts were over $200 Can. each. We got by. 🙂
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberNovember 22, 2020 at 8:06 am in reply to: Freestanding Signs, Walls Signs, Counter fronts by Drews Sign-itA life size cut out of Rob!
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberNovember 22, 2020 at 8:04 am in reply to: Freestanding Signs, Walls Signs, Counter fronts by Drews Sign-itNice work mate. Variety makes it fun.
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Duncan Wilkie
MemberAugust 4, 2020 at 4:04 am in reply to: Home based now, after 30 years with a Storefront.Hi David. We’ve been trying to sell the business. I’m 67 this year and it was time. We had a deal in progress when Covid hit. The buyer backed out. Our lease was up in 3 months and we didn’t feel good about all the costs of a storefront going into the future. We decided to move home and it’s working out great. Still getting organized, but it’s getting better every week. I’ll post some pics once everything is in place.