[John Childs]

Enjoy. 😀

[John Childs]

Sorry Peter, you’ve caught us with low stocks.

I’ve only got a couple of metres of Doro blue reflective, plus loads of striping of various widths. 🙁

[John Childs]

quote Dave Rowland:

My log book is packed away in a box somewhere

Yeah, my gear is all packed away too. 🙁
Still maintain the licence though. 😀

I didn’t have a fear of heights until the day I helped put an antenna on top of the control tower at Donington Park. That experience scared me, and now I leave that sort of thing to the youngsters.

G4RUS.

[John Childs]

Bugger. Missed it. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Peter Normington:

doubt if I will need a mac though, to create similar results..

Nah, I’m sure you can do it all in Signlab. Albeit at ten times the price. 😀

Seriously though, I’m not sure how TypeStyler stacks up as a stand-alone programme, or if it’s even meant to be one, but when used in conjunction with Illustrator, it is a very powerful piece of software.

I’ve been using it on and off for twenty years, although back then it was only for text manipulation as the print effects were of no use to me as a pure vinyl cutter.

That’s all changed now with our acquisition of a printer, and opens up a whole new world of cuttable printed decals.

[John Childs]

quote Peter Normington:

why would that be an advantage for a mac?
just asking, it looks like a good animation program, but how useful for signage?

Animation? Are you looking at the right Typestyler?

The one I mean is a brilliant tool for creating logos, layouts, and all the sort of text effects held so dear by users of SignLab and Flexi. But it does them better, and at a fraction of the price.

http://www.typestyler.com

[John Childs]

quote John Wilson:

Because most signage software isn’t available on the mac

But Typestyler isn’t available for the PC. 😀

[John Childs]

quote John Lloyd:

Thanks for all the useful information.

No problem John, but you need to thank Phill. I lifted all that out of a draft copy of his forthcoming book – Vehicle Graphics for Beginners. *rofl*

Seriously, ask a few more questions. My screed above was just an example, and it may be that they are only looking at a change cycle of ten vans per month, at a value of £250 each.

Don’t give up until you have all the facts.

[John Childs]

Me again. 😀

Also think about financing.

Timescale will have a lot to do with it but, for example, let’s say we are looking at fifty vans per month at £500 each.

That’s £25,000 of work in the first month and, assuming that they comply with your thirty day terms, by the time you receive a cheque you will have done another £25,000 worth.

You will have to pay your wages weekly, and also pay for materials so, even if the customer pay you on time, they will always be in your side for £50,000.

This might sound cheeky, but isn’t intended to be that way because I know nothing about your fiscal resources, but can you afford to finance the job? And can you still do it if they don’t pay on time and take sixty days? That’s £75,000.

Also consider the outcome if they go broke and don’t pay at all. What effect would that have on your business, would it affect your ability to survive?

We are doing this sort of thing all the time but, as I said above, we know our customers, and I would have to think long and hard about taking such a risk on an unknown source.

[John Childs]

Oh yes, as an indicator, I once had one of my good regular customers go through a re-brand. New vans were not a problem, but they asked how much to go around the country and change all their existing vans. The actual van work added up to about two hundred thousand but, when all the travel, accommodation, overtime and subsistence costs were added in it came to just shy of a million quid.

Fortunately they decided not to do it because we would have struggled with a job of that magnitude. 😀

[John Childs]

Right up my street. We do lots of jobs like those, but they all come from known bona fide sources. So, first off, listen to what Rob says and do your homework.

Don’t worry about it looking expensive. You’re not just pricing to do vans, you are also providing a service in going out to do them on-site in small batches at times to suit the end user. They must be prepared to pay for this service. Anyone else quoting will have the same obstacles and expenses as yourself, and SHOULD be in the same ball-park pricewise.

Don’t be tempted to reduce your price because of the size of the job. Volume brings it’s own problems, and you will need the money to overcome them.

Look at the alternatives. The usual routine is that the supplying dealer prices in one delivery trip, which is usually from him to the end user, but it doesn’t have to be that way. It can often be financially beneficial to have the vans delivered to you, do the work on your premises, then you arrange onward delivery at your cost. Naturally that cost gets added to your quote. It is cheaper to have a minimum wage muppet driver running up and down the motorway system, than a highly trained and expensive fitter.

Even cheaper is to have a proper delivery company do it for you. We use Paragon Automotive. We recently did a job for a company on the south coast and Paragon delivered nine vans cheaper than ever we could do it. Also, they have all the infrastructure, proper insurances, and hand over the vehicles to the end user in a professional manner.

Finding reliable local fitters isn’t difficult, but can take a bit of trial and error. I start here on UKSB and look for people in the right area. If they have a website, take a look at the type of work they have done previously. Do a search on their names and see the type of posts they have made, questions they have asked, and advice they have given. From that you can then form an opinion on whether they are capable of carrying out a particular job. Then you can contact them and see if they would like to do it. Not all do, they may be too busy, or just prefer to fit what they make themselves, whereas others may be desperate for work and be grateful for a job of any sort. There’s all shades of grey between those extremes, and some that are just happy to do a job for you as a favour. Sometimes you can pick the wrong one and come unstuck, but that has been rare. Eventually you can build up a little network of good, reliable fitters who you know will do a good prompt job.

Sorry, didn’t mean to write War and Peace. 😕

[John Childs]

So, perhaps ours isn’t too far out of line then.

I went on a comparison site, although it was for domestic rather than commercial, and the savings on offer weren’t worth the hassle of changing supplier.

Thanks for the info lads. 😀

[John Childs]

The council empty trade bins around here. They are in competition with the private companies.

We use 1100 litre bins and very occasionally the contents would stick, and the youngest of the bin men would have to clamber up to release it. They did it cheerfully enough though.

If you have something a bit weighty to dispose of, make sure that it goes in the bottom of the bin, and that will help force the vinyl and tape out.

[John Childs]

Many congratulations Gert and Yolanda.

[John Childs]

quote Nigel Pugh – Grafityp:

Mr Childs the EM stands for Easymount 😉 Vivid are the distributor.

Thank you for the clarification Mr. Pugh. 😀

[John Childs]

Is the Vivid a re-badged Easymount?

We’ve got an EM-1400SH with which we have been very happy. Much better than the Seal we had previously.

[John Childs]

quote OwenTaylor:

Am I likely to damage the rollers due to prolonged use of feeding through narrower materials?

Nah. We do it all the time. 😀

As Peter says, put it through thew middle. With some laminators you have to do that anyway because the rollers are not perfectly straight. They are designed to be slightly thicker in the centre, and taper off towards the ends, to help straight running. If you try laminating on the edge of one of those it will run off line very quickly.

[John Childs]

Hi Colin.

We’re at the top end of Northamptonshire. The civilised bit. 😀

[John Childs]

Oh yes, and the 70 % will give you a hangover. 😀

[John Childs]

Excellent. 😀

[John Childs]

Wot the man said above. 😀

We use 99%.

[John Childs]

I looked at this from a slightly different angle.

We all like to think that we are ace signmakers and that the quality of our product, our design skills, experience, expertise and professionalism is beyond reproach. Those perceived attributes make us think that we are worth a good profit margin on whatever we do.

Now, if we even think of competing with the low cost cheap end of the market, does that not drag us down to their level? In those circumstances can we reasonably expect anything other than the pocket money that they are earning? I would suggest not.

Having said that, Jason is also spot on with his comments. Your prices have to be governed by how you go about your work. I would even go a stage further. As you will all probably know, our area of expertise is vehicles, and when I first started working from home, with no staff and virtually overhead free, I could do one-off vans as cheap as anybody, and still make good money. The reason was that if I spent too much time piddling around with layouts, it didn’t matter because I could do it in the evening, maybe whilst watching TV. Nowadays, with premises and staff, it is different and every minute needs to be accounted for and charged, because the staff want paying at the end of the week.

The result is that today we struggle to compete pricewise with our local competitors on the one-off jobs. On the other hand, we can eat them alive on the bigger work because they can’t cope with the volume. Those are the extremes, and of course, there are many shades of grey in between, but you get the idea.

I am convinced that for decent returns, and I think I’ve said this elsewhere, you need to pick the area that you want to be involved in, then set up your company to produce that product in the most efficient and economical way that you can.

Discuss. 😀

[John Childs]

I can’t find anyone who wants it either.

Best solution I could find is to compact it to minimise landfill. 🙁

[John Childs]

quote Phill:

Is this pick on the Fentons week 😕

Sh!t. Are you still here?

Get down the courthouse. 😕

[John Childs]

It depends what you mean by "applied". If the vinyl is just laid on the van then, in most cases, it will come off. However, once it’s squeegeed down properly, I wouldn’t want it to move and would expect to have to replace it. Unless it’s static cling of course.

You need to speak with someone more knowledgeable than myself on the actual application, but I would say that a lot of it is technique. My boys are pulling and pushing Avery 900 all day, but rarely do they tear any.

Also playing a large part in this could be the vinyl itself, or rather the adhesive. Some adhesives are very aggressive and have a high initial tack. Others are more forgiving and tolerant of the inexperienced.

Grafiwrap is a case in point. Normally it has a high initial tack but, if you laminate it at around 100 degrees C, then that affects the adhesive and it becomes a lot easier to work.

[John Childs]

Well done Neil.

[John Childs]

Stuart,

Lamination is only to protect print. No other reason. Or at least I’ve not found one in the last twenty years.

A coloured vinyl doesn’t need it because the colour goes all the way through and, if damage goes that far, then you’re into body repairs anyway.

On prints however, the colour is only as thick as the layer of ink, and a wipe with almost anything will reveal the white vinyl below. Therefore it needs the protection of a laminate.

That’s the end of the story.

I understand that you might find wrapping thicker stuff easier but, with practice and experience there is no reason why you should have any trouble wrapping an unlaminated 50 micron cast film.

The pic is what happens to unlaminated print after just being washed with warm soapy water. It’s not one of my jobs I hasten to add, just a photo I took to educate my customers.

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[John Childs]

Cheryl,

When saving, at the bottom of the "save" dialogue box, choose the "Adobe Illustrator Document" option. Obviously.

Then comes up a second dialogue box headed "Illustrator Options". At the top of that there should be a drop down menu offering the choice to save in various formats, as far back as Illustrator 3.

You get the same options when saving as an Illustrator eps.

That’s how it works on a Mac anyway, and I can’t see a PC being any different.

[John Childs]

Lorraine and Dan……

Yes, you must use an optically clear laminate for this sort of thing.

And, yes, I found out the hard way too, but fortunately only on one vehicle. 😀

[John Childs]

Yes, you can see through Contravision, but it does obscure the view and I would not have thought it suitable for learner drivers who need all the help they can get.

[John Childs]

quote Phill:

but I never suspected they would stoop this low to try and win over the voting public 😕

Oh, I see.

A bit like Vera Lynn starting a war to push her new single. 😕

[John Childs]

Technically yes, but I doubt that you would get into trouble if you are making them for an authorised dealer.

Watch the Vaillant one though. Their logo has recently (within the last month or two) changed. Not great differences, and perhaps hardly anyone would notice, but you might as well get it right. There are now also separate print and cut versions.

[John Childs]

Wimps, the lot of you. 😀

OK, the 970 might be a bit easier to apply, but Avery 900 is not difficult.

I would also hate to use a 100 micron material. To big a step from paint to vinyl. Like applying formica. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Jillbeans:

If he looks anything like Ralph Fiennes

Got a soft spot Jill? 😀

[John Childs]

I can’t help but think that Phill is getting an easy ride here.

Can some of you give Shane and I a hand please. :rofl:

[John Childs]

quote Simon Polakof:

So which of avery’s vinyl would you have used for this fitting then?

Avery 900 should do it.

[John Childs]

A nice juicy fraud case.

Six months should cover it. 😀

[John Childs]

Hi Lee. And welcome to the board.

As you’ve been told above, wrapping theory is not difficult, but it does require a LOT of practice and experience. Most of us started at the bottom with flat panel work and, as our skills improved, progressed on to simple curves, compound curves, part wraps and, only then, onto full wraps.

Sure, the process can be short circuited, but the results are not likely to meet with the approval of your customers, or lead to any repeat business.

Then there’s the financial aspect. Too many people undervalue wrapping and, for me, there’s not enough profit in it. The time a wrap takes to do properly is a killer and I reckon that I can make more money by sticking to the more mundane types of work.

We will do wraps, but only if the customer is prepared to pay the price of doing it properly. Otherwise we steer clear of them.

[John Childs]

Of course, you cannot predict a volcanic eruption with any accuracy, but there are figures going back centuries, and it is entirely possible to calculate the chances of one happening over any given future timescale.

An insurance company does not know exactly what day your house is going to burn down, if at all, but they do know the chances of it happening during the life of your household policy. They are happy enough to cover that.

And this is exactly the same thing. 🙁

[John Childs]

In this morning’s newspaper it says that some tourists might not be able to get home for ten days. 😮

Just been speaking to Martin Cole in Lanzarote and he says it is a nightmare. Every day is like Groundhog Day.

He asks if we can all go outside at midday and blow hard in a north easterly direction.

He’d have been better off going to SignUK. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Richard Martin:

at quick glance that reminded me of the vauxhall griffin logo

:yes1: me too. Sorry Glenn.

[John Childs]

Haven’t you finished this job yet? 😀

The laminate should match the print vinyl. Speak to whoever supplied that and ask their recommendation.

[John Childs]

quote Martin Cole:

alas I am in Lanzarote.

Time to come home Martin.

The work is piling up for you.

[John Childs]

quote Hugh Potter:

had only seen one other vehicle done like it (homeserve funnily enough)

You might only have seen one Homeserve van Hugh. But there’s thousands of the buggers out there. Honest. Ask Matty. 😀

Still, that’s not a valid reason for you not to use the concept, just try to get a different twist on it. 😀

Just one thing though, you have text above them specifying the individual product or service. I think that’s a bad idea because the icon should be doing that for you. That text should be superfluous. And it makes it look untidy.

[John Childs]

I think that you might be being a bit rough on Matty here.

Lots of things are easy to demonstrate, but difficult to put into words. If that wasn’t the case then we wouldn’t need wrapping courses – we only need read a book. We wouldn’t need video tutorials either.

If Matt says something is easy then, regardless of anything else, that would give me the encouragement to give it a try. Which is where we ended up. 😀

[John Childs]

Ritrama is not our weapon of choice, but it’s not bad stuff, and we do use some of it.

As the boys say, we get it from Doro.

[John Childs]

The third one down does have potential, but I would worry that it has been overdone a bit.

Here’s one of ours, and we have another couple of customers using similar.

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[John Childs]

Anybody seen anything of Rob.

He was flaked out in the hotel bar last time I saw him.

He looked so sweet that I didn’t want to disturb him, and just went to bed and left him there. 😀

[John Childs]

Genius. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Steve McAdie:

I get my swabs from here
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/sear … &R=2482050

D’oh. :headbang2:

Never thought of them Steve.

My daughter works there so we can get her staff discount. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Ruairi O’Boyle:

Probably been asked many times before but do any of you have a handy link to the best place to buy the swabs and solution (not even sure what the right name for the cleaning solution!). Does cotton buds do for the swabs? I got a pack of what looks like long reach ones with the machine.

You need long reach.

Rather than the big cotton bud thingies we prefer the ones with flat heads to make cleaning a little bit easier. I think that they are also made from a foamy type substance, rather than cotton. That removes the possibility that they could leave a thread hanging around your head.

As for a source, I suspect that most suppliers will stock them, certainly ink suppliers. I think ours come from Doro although I don’t know how their price compares, it’s just that they are only down theroad and handy to pick stuff up from.

[John Childs]

Hi Catherine.

I’m impressed.

Joined November 2003, and this is your first post.

I can’t keep my mouth shut for that long. 😀

:welcome:

[John Childs]

quote Peter Normington:

if its plugged in and the main switch is on it will wake up and do the necasary, front switch can be turned off

If you print 24hrs a day then yes do a manual clean around the capping station, wiper atc. otherwise a weekly tidy is enough, John Childs is better placed to inform, but I think I am correct

(I have a jv3 and am sure the 33 takes less looking after)

Correct as usual Mr. Normington.

As the JV3, you switch the 33 on and off via the front panel, but leave the switch on the back of the machine on all the time.

With our JV3 we were told to give it a clean every day that it was used, otherwise every four days. That’s what we did and never had a problem.

However, the JV33 runs a lot cleaner and there just isn’t as much ink spread around to build up on anything and cause problems. Although a clean every day the printer is used is probably still the ideal, ours doesn’t get anything like that. 😳

I suspect that a clean every Friday night would be enough, but I certainly wouldn’t offer that as advice, and like to do ours a bit more often.

[John Childs]

Hi Phil. :wave3:

[John Childs]

Hi Andrew. :welcome:

[John Childs]

You do it the same as you do any other quote.

Work out your costs. All of them, including car wear and tear, servicing and insurance etc etc. You can short cut this bit if you can find a list of running costs for different models of vehicle. The AA used to do one, but I’m not sure if they still do.

Then add on a profit margin.

Then add your labour cost for the estimated time.

The result is your quote to your customer.

[John Childs]

quote RayRosher:

So here’s mine.

ST1100. The perfect bike.

Equally at home scratching around the lanes, or gobbling up the miles crossing Europe. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Billy Cook:

can you PM me the hotel details?

Google?

http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/britann … lAod5noRvA

[John Childs]

I’ve done my share in the past, but I think my days of roughing it are over now. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Lorraine Clinch:

I have now been warned that the M6 is a giant parking lot at certain times,

Hi Lorraine.

No guarantees of course, but M6 congestion is usually from junction 4 towards Birmingham. You will be going in the opposite direction, and so might escape the worst of it.

Where were you on Saturday? 😀

[John Childs]

quote Jon Marshall:

Rasterlink is fine for just “open file, set profile, print” but Shiraz does at least have a very nice interface..

I think we’ll have to disagree there Jon.

I found the Shiraz interface too busy and unnecessarily complicated, and much prefer the simpler RasterLink one.

That is important to me because, although I appreciate that a one or two man band will know their own software and have no problems with the more complex programmes, all that changes when you get employees. Then ease of operation becomes a deciding factor if you want to minimise mistakes and wasteage. The same is even true for occasional users like myself.

This is the same reasoning for cutting with something complex like Flexi or straightforward like Finecut. A discussion I think we have had before. 😀

[John Childs]

I don’t know about the same features, but certainly RasterLink does several different types of tiling, although they call it panelling. I’m afraid I can’t tell you any more than that because that’s another feature we don’t use. 😀

If something needs printing larger than the printer size then we tend to cut it up in Illustrator and print as separate sections. Most of our work is on vans so we need the repeatability. Also, by having van panel sized prints, it lets us supply single panels for accident damage repair. An important part of our business.

Currently using a JV33 with which we are absolutely delighted.

[John Childs]

Richard,

I believe that Shiraz has more features and control over output than RasterLink. The thing is that I didn’t use any of them, so they were a bit pointless.

For instance, control over output colour. My issue is consistency over a long period of time so, if colours need adjusting, I want to do that in my design package once. From then on all we have to do on the RIP is open the file and press the print button. Time after time.

Personally I prefer RasterLink. It does everything I need, and is simpler and quicker to use. The simpler bit is especially important when trying to train new staff in it’s use.

Oh, and you get 16 bit gradients right out of the box. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Richard Daniel:

I am a big fan of the Mimaki Fine cut plug in for illustrator, If I set the register marks in illustrator before printing I cant see it making ay difference what Rip I use as the marks are on there already.

I’m a big fan too Richard.

And no, it doesn’t matter which RIP you use. I went for three years using Shiraz to print and FineCut for registration marks and to cut.

Now on RasterLink Pro and FineCut.

[John Childs]

quote Kate – Grafityp:

Have you all entered our competition for the amazing F1 Day that you can win for a wrapping on our stand

Lovely thought Kate. Just two problems……

1. I can’t wrap a parcel.

2. I doubt I could get into a Formula One car.

It’s a nice offer though, but perhaps I’ll leave this one to the youngsters. 😀

[John Childs]

That’s bad news Martin. You will be missed.

Along with a lot of others. 🙁

[John Childs]

Not very constructive, I know, sorry.

But wouldn’t his boards be better painted?

[John Childs]

quote Brian Hays:

Sounds like a better plan.

Thank you Brian.

It always seems to me that the major cost of this sort of gig is the getting there and back. Jill may not agree, being used to US prices, but to me the accommodation seems cheap, and the food is for nothing. So, once we’re there, we might as well get as much out of the trip as possible.

Tombstone is great, especially karaoke night, and believe me I normally hate karaoke as much as the rest of you, but that was special. Anyway, if that seems a bit far, we could always go to Lake Havasu City instead, and take a look at the old London Bridge that I remember from my youth. 😀

If this turns out to be a go-er I would suggest that we all sort out our own flights to and from Vegas. From there, I am more than happy to organise the rest.

[John Childs]

How about this for a plan……..

Fly to Vegas.
Rent an appropriate size vehicle.
Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon Skywalk thingy.
Squeeze in a bit of Route 66.
It’s a bit of a hike, but Jenny and I don’t mind doing the driving……
Tombstone.
Back to Vegas.
Did somebody say something about a sign related event?
Maybe take in a show – anybody fancy Jersey Boys?
Fly home.

[John Childs]

Vegas on tax deductible expenses?

Starting to sound interesting. 😀

[John Childs]

So far it seems to be confined to expensive cast materials Lynn. Well, I can understand the importers being happy with 25s because their stocking cost will be lower with the shorter rolls. Also, for all I know, perhaps the majority of their customers only order five or ten metres at a time, so the shorter rolls don’t inconvenience them.

If those two points are true, then I can respect their business decision to only buy in 25s. However, it will be a pain if those of us that need 50s can’t get them, even if it does take a special order.

And that’s not taking into the account the green credentials of 50s. Twice the packaging for 2 x 25.

[John Childs]

quote Mike Grant:

and way back in 1978

I like that Mike.

A10?

[John Childs]

quote David-Foster-:

Anyone have and use an A3 scanner?

Not me David. I’ve always managed fine with an A4.

Are you regularly doing something that needs A3?

[John Childs]

quote Lynn:

John is that cut or print vinyl ?

Cut vinyl Lynn. Two that come to mind are:-

Avery 900 used to be fifties, but that changed fairly recently, much to our inconvenience

APA cast is a more recent discovery. If APA UK don’t want to stock big rolls I can understand that, but I’ve got the rep coming round on Monday and I’m going to see whether we can get fifties if we wait for delivery from Italy

[John Childs]

I’ve never actually measured a part roll, so can’t comment on shortages.

We used to get joined rolls from certain suppliers but I complained long and loud about it. Now we can still get them, but only after a phone call to check with us that the join isn’t in an inconvenient place.

With both these problems, the answer is planning. If ordering is not left until the last minute (not always possible I know) then we always have the option to return the goods and order elsewhere. That’ll only happen a few times before they get the message.

My current gripe is that some materials have started coming in 25 metres rolls rather than fifty.

[John Childs]

And here’s the other.

With a couple of "friends" 😳

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[John Childs]

Here’s one.

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[John Childs]

Hello Michaela. :welcome:

[John Childs]

quote Hugh Potter:

now what do i do?

You go to the NEC.

If he’s anything of a son, then he’ll understand.

If it was an 18th, or a 21st, or something special, then it might be different.

[John Childs]

quote Jillbeans:

…we call those lawyers or attorneys, Peter.:wink:

I’ve got another name for them. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Brian Little:

cheryls a very attractive looking lady ….anyone can see that

Yeah. And she chose me. So you pair can bugger off. 😀

quote Brian Little:

sorry john if i ever need anything in the future…eh were still mates aint we 😀

Well, we’ll see about that. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Warren Beard:

so 135% then 😉 :lol1:

Yeah, probably.

But you can work it out. If you know what length your original logo should be when flat, just measure the depth of the corrugations, do a few sums, and you can work out how much the logo needs stretching in order to maintain the proper length. Simples.

But I’m more likely to just go with the 135%. 😀

[John Childs]

Nice job Craig.

Steve, Rob’s advice is good but, if your container has standard corrugations, then I’d be inclined to stretch horizontally by a bit more than 120%. Maybe as much as 150%, but probably somewhere in between those two figures.

[John Childs]

quote Jillbeans:

That’s because it’s from a TV show which has been on forever at lunchtime, I mean more than 30 years, called The Price is Right.
I have eaten many a package of cup noodles while watching.
😳

Lunchtime TV Jilly?

Shame on you. 😀

[John Childs]

I think you need to consider the environment in which containers operate because it is as harsh as you are likely to find anywhere, apart from the surface of the moon. Wind howling across the deck, salt spray constantly drenching the container, not to mention the rough way they are handled and stored.

Magnetic and banner won’t last five minutes. If they even withstand the handling to get them on the ship, as soon it sets sail the wind will get behind them, up the corrugations, and they’ll be gone. I wouldn’t hold out much hope for tie wraps either, plus your signs would have to be removed for customs inspection at both ends of the journey. I bet a pound to a pinch of pigsh1t that they wouldn’t get put back on.

Vinyl will do the job (if it’s good stuff), but if the customer is specifying flat, then the only way is screws through the side of the container. I understand that the container owner won’t allow that because it will then no longer be waterproof.

Basically, I think you’re stuffed. Sorry. 🙁

As an aside, when I brought containers over from the US there were no lashing points inside, which we needed to tie the bikes down. Screwing or nailing to the floor was forbidden so, on both occasions, we had to wait for an end of life container that was going for scrap as soon as we had finished with it.

[John Childs]

Nice one Ben.

Best of luck with it. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Shane Drew:

Must be his rugged good looks.

Yeah, I think you’re probably right there Shane.

:nana: :nana: :nana: 😀

[John Childs]

quote Cheryl Smith:

signboards get together not being organized this year then?

Looks not Cheryl.

But I’m sure that we’ll amuse ourselves somehow. 😀

[John Childs]

I digitised this from artwork supplied by the dealer when the Kuga was first introduced. Whether it’s current I’m afraid I have no idea.

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Attachments:

Kuga.ai

[John Childs]

Hi Rachel. And welcome. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Phill:

I’m going clay pigeon shooting on Sunday. Something I’ve never tried before.

I hope you enjoy it Phill.

I should do it more often because I find it a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Loose off a few boxes of cartridges, then into the cafe for a good old fried breakfast, before returning to work.

[John Childs]

And a happy Easter to you Marcella, and to everyone else.

Quiet here too. Lunch at my parents on Sunday, and probably a run out to http://www.countrymanfairs.co.uk/kelmar … -game-fair on Monday.

[John Childs]

Neil,

Those are a "how long is a piece of string" question.

You may get away with it if there isn’t too much ink density, no excessive stretching, it’s environment isn’t too extreme, and other factors. As Shane intimates, we’ve all done it in an emergency, but it is to be avoided as much as possible.

I also look at the customer. If it’s a one off local job where, in the event of a problem, you can apologise and have the van back in for repair with little cost, then I’d be more inclined to take a risk. On the other hand, if it’s a multiple vehicle job, and they are all spread all across the country, then rectification cost would be prohibitive, so I wouldn’t even think about it.

As for drying method, practicality comes into it too. We couldn’t hang up prints because sometimes we’d need another unit just to fill with washing lines. That method also increases handling, giving a greater risk of damage. Our practice is to just leave the prints wound loosely onto a roll, store vertically, lifted with a bit of an air gap at the bottom. We use some plastic roll transit protectors screwed to a plank of wood, which gives us about an inch or so of clearance. That’s enough if your room is reasonably well ventilated and has some air movement.

As an aside, I see that we both joined UKSB on the same date. Does that make us twins? 😀

[John Childs]

quote Peter Normington:

that is a conservative poster

That’s not what the article says Peter.

Anyway, Ian nailed it. 😀

[John Childs]

quote Robert Lambie:

jamie, i know where you are coming from mate and agree to an extent, but the majority of print-cut jobs our machine does is stickers and labels. very seldom do they require laminate.

And that’s why you and I disagree on print and cut. The vast majority of our work requires lamination and contour cutting. 😀

Shane, a lot of good stuff there but don’t forget that, like concrete, the "drying" of ink is also partly a chemical curing process. No matter how much we heat, or blow air, over prints, that process will happen in it’s own sweet time.

[John Childs]

Totally agree with Jamie, although some really heavy coverage stuff we prefer to leave for forty eight hours.

Matt, I think Philip means he is going to laminate wet, rather than apply to a vehicle. I guess because he’ll be doing it by hand rather than with a laminator.

Whilst I’ve got your attention, I’ve been trying to call you. Have you been getting the messages?

[John Childs]

Looks interesting Kevin.

I’ll have a play with that over the weekend. 😀

Thanks for the heads up.

[John Childs]

Yeah, I think that’s a wind up.

They say that Saatchi and Saatchi are responsible for them, but S&S are doing the Conservatives advertising, and wouldn’t be allowed to do both. Conflict of interest.

[John Childs]

quote John Childs:

It is unlikely that she would receive the maximum fine for a first offence.

Just as a correction, it would appear that she didn’t get the maximum penalty. For that offence it is actually a £20,000 fine, or two years in jail. 😮

[John Childs]

quote Chris Windebank:

I remember that S

Yes, the G as well. I seem to remember that all the letters with a hanging top were cut off short.

Annoying isn’t it?