[Karl Williams]

quote Phill Fenton:

More to the point – why can’t we all get together and agree to stop giving away free artwork

It seems to be coming the norm for every new enquiry to expect to see ideas and suggestions drawn up free of charge. When I respond with guide prices and ask for a deposit before drawing up artwork I never hear from them again so there must quite a few “busy fools” out there wasting their time producing speculative layouts for every new enquiry that comes in.

We need to educate the public that artwork is not free but is part of the service they are paying for when they buy a sign

Couldn’t agree more. 😉
They usually turn around and say "What? it’ll only take you five minutes!"
That really p!sses me off. 👿

[Karl Williams]

Looks good Cheryl. The only thing I would do is make the top sign a bit bigger.
Just looks out of centre. 😉 Looking forward to seeing the finished job.

[Karl Williams]

quote John Hughes:

Hi Karl, we brought this program a few years back , at SignUK but never really got to use it !

If I remember correctly, you designed in 2D and the software did the rest.

http://mr-clipart.com/int/3dcars.php

John

John, Just had a proper look at that link you left. That’s a cool bit of software.
Thanks for that. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Sounds spot on Harry. You could even open mock accounts and place the poster in the listings on fleabay. 😀

[Karl Williams]

it’s ok saying leave them to it you’ll sleep better David…..but i’m coming up
against these numpties more and more. It’s destroying our industry. 😕

[Karl Williams]

Admiration for the guy having the bottle you do such a thing but why? Why risk being in a wheelchair or even worse just for the adrenalin rush?

[Karl Williams]

How the fick did he do that? 😮

[Karl Williams]

quote Michael Tremarco:

Thank you Karl

Don’t you just love UKSB

Cheers

No probs matey. Yeah…..we’re all one big happy family! 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Michael Tremarco:

Cheers Ian
Just noticed a difference in the A4 and the A3 spec.

The A3 emulations is ‘host based’ while the A4 is PCL 6, PCL5c, PostScript 3 emulation, SIDM, PDF Direct Print v1.5

What’s emulations?

Does this mean the A3 wont accept eps and pdf’s as files direct to print?

With cutters the emulation is the language that the software use for the cutter.
Ie, DMPL, HPGL or HPGL 2.

[Karl Williams]

Great pics mate. I’d love to know where the guy in the jungle thinks he is going in that little frame with the motor attached. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Give Artsystems a buzz in Nottingham mate. They can point you in the right direction.

[Karl Williams]

Hello Mark. Welcome aboard mate.

[Karl Williams]

quote John Singh:

Thanks Steve:

So Dave you could say:

‘Mi Gran – yu let er be wil ya’

:lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

[Karl Williams]

It’s a conspiracy Rob………get Mr. Fenton on to it straight away! 😉

[Karl Williams]

Nice and smart mate. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Top notch mate! 😉

[Karl Williams]

Hexis do a film that gives that effect. I used it about 11 years ago so you’d need to contact them to find out what it’s called.

[Karl Williams]

I used to have a Mutoh that did the same. It was found to be the voltage set incorrectly in the main board. Shouldn’t try and adjust it yourself though.

[Karl Williams]

Works a treat Dave. Thanks mate. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Thanks for that Dave, I’ll give it a go. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Christ!…….I never thought taking the p!ss out of Dave would start an entire new thread. 😮

[Karl Williams]

quote Simon Worrall:

Karl Williams wrote:
Dave Rowland wrote:
that teach u for having 20 domain names

You ever thought of writing your own book on grammar and spelling Dave?

It’s ‘Have you ever ……’ Mr Williams!

I think double quotation marks might be more correct, Mr Cleary!

😀 😀 😀 😀 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Dave Rowland:

that teach u for having 20 domain names

You ever thought of writing your own book on grammar and spelling Dave?

[Karl Williams]

Hi Adam,
Care to show us what results you get? Thanks. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Thanks for that Rob. May give Brian a buzz. The reason behind this is if I take a photo of a clients vehicle then superimpose his design onto his own vehicle It’d look more professional and personal creating a unique selling point.

[Karl Williams]

Appreciate the reply John. The softeware looks pretty handy. I’m looking more at making the images look more realistic. I do appreciate the reply though. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Nice link Arnt.
Do any suppliers in the UK do anything like this?

[Karl Williams]

quote Chris Windebank:

if its dirt under the vinyl on foamex you can use the back of a teaspoon to help smooth out as the foamex gives way with enough pressure.

Good tip Chris. Never heard of that one. I don’y know….been in this game over 20 years and still I know nuffink! 😕

[Karl Williams]

That looks like cr@p under the vinyl to me mate.

[Karl Williams]

That sounds good Martin. I’ll let you know as I’ve got to make sure it’s a time when Rob’s going to be around and sober! 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Robert Lambie:

quote Karl Williams:

I’ve also got to save up to buy Rob a drink……….boy that’ll cost me!

Why… you know fine well i only drink Fruit Shoots! 😉

No mate……it’s shots not shoots! (drink1)

[Karl Williams]

quote John Thomson:

Plan to head down on Tuesday and back home on Thursday.

John

Will be good to meet up John, I owe you a drink or two matey.
I’ve also got to save up to buy Rob a drink……….boy that’ll cost me!
Intending on having a drive up north before then, I want to have a nosey at that big lorry that Rob’s got. 😉

[Karl Williams]

I think I’ll put in a little more effort this year. Must be 3 years at least now.

[Karl Williams]

You spend enough time in front of a computer Rob without wasting your time on Facebook. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Hi Joel………from a guy just drinking kenco coffee. 😕

[Karl Williams]

I know you did Martin. I didn’t take it the wrong way mate. I was just a bit pi££ed at the thought of loosing a chance to quote for some decent work. No harm done mate. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Phill, just change to google and test the waters mate. To me it’s too big a risk not to.

[Karl Williams]

Warren, I’ve got to take my hat off to you mate. The way you’ve grown your business and the quality of workmanship you turn out is an inspiration to all new starters and experienced signmakers. You started with next to nothing and look at you now. All the best mate, you deserve it! 😉

[Karl Williams]

Thanks for the replies.

Rob, I agree on the simplicity of use with moonfruit. I’ve not really ventured too much in using google for anything other than a search engine. I think now is the time though to get more educated with this.

Martin, Maybe your right mate but if I can’t reply to prospective clients and get a chance at a bite of the apple of possible work through my site then I could have lost a great deal of work and be better off for it now.
I’ve invested what ever cash and time is available on the site, kit and premises and finding out that something this menial could have massive downside effects on what I’ve put in makes it to date a waste of time.
Moonfruit know of this but have given no answer to how to rectify it. But then again if the fault isn’t with them maybe they don’t see it as their problem.

[Karl Williams]

Great work Warren. 😉

[Karl Williams]

To John. :drink4: 😉

[Karl Williams]

David,
I always apply frosted wet. I’m crap at doing it dry! 😳
The Pick N Mix job went on for a while on the design side as the customer couldn’t decide what to have.
The Reset Job was the first job using 3m IJ380 wrap. Nice vinyl to use and no problems at all.

[Karl Williams]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I’ve not given the signage much thought yet. I just want to get the inside right
to get some work out the way first.
The place is off road so I think a bit of overkill on large signs would be a waste of money. The benefit I do have is I already know most of the other guys down there so I don’t have to go around introducing myself.

[Karl Williams]

Thanks David,
It was done in 2 large pieces with the 7’s fitted inside. I hate to see joins or overlaps in frosted vinyl.

Some more pics.

---

Attachments:

[Karl Williams]

quote Dave Rowland:

thats what i meant…. i mean I need to cast in a different direction or try a different pond

It’s not the pond mate it’s the bait! 😀 😀 😀 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Dave Rowland:

To improve my life overall, its not great, its has a big challenge ahead and it feels as tho years are flying by without me noticing.

That’s old age Dave. The older you get the faster the years pass you by. 😕
Find a good woman mate…….that might make you feel younger! 😉

[Karl Williams]

At the beginning mate. When or if you do a written quote state that deposits are none refundable. When they sign the artwork off make sure this is also stated once more and maybe put aat the top of the page "Please ensure you read our t’s and c’s!"
Why should you refund when you have done the work? If you did that then there’s no point in taking a deposit in the first place. 😉

[Karl Williams]

10 years of bringing a great resource of information to the sign industry.
Well done Rob and like it’s already been said here’s to another 10 years mate. 😉

[Karl Williams]

All the best for Christmas and the new year everyone.

Karl. Tracey, Oliver, Damon, Lauren, Rhys, Dylan and Warren.

[Karl Williams]

quote Martin:

Your right Karl it is, deaf in one of them anyway but in this instance I have a good excuse :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

Got no sound on this computer so just watched the video and read the text that came up :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

Ahhh! That would explain it then. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Great video mate. You make it look like you’ve done one or two of these before! 😉 😀

[Karl Williams]

There aint gonna be one for you mate! Look on the bright side, your already up to your eyeballs in work for 2012. Well done! 😉

[Karl Williams]

I should stop talking on here and pull your finger out mate! 😉

[Karl Williams]

All that hair is covering your ears mate! 😛 😛 😉

[Karl Williams]

Have a smashing day Cheryl. 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Robert Lambie:

Another test you may like to take?

$this->auto_embed_video(‘http://www.youtube.com/v/Ahg6qcgoay4?version=3&hl=en_US’, ‘560’, ‘340’)

.

Thought I was being clever when I counted the passes correctly. 😕

[Karl Williams]

1 more job to get out the way on Monday then that’s it till 3rd Jan.
As Ian said I’ll also be glad to see the back of 2011. Hope 2012 is better for all!

[Karl Williams]

Lucky Bstard! Enjoy mate. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Laughing my @rse off here! :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

[Karl Williams]

quote Martin:

Shane, I know they aren’t your designs which is a real shame if the designers over there are like the companies over here (& I’m sure they will be) then they will end up earning a pile more money than you & they don’t have to hop all over the Country for their part of the job :lol1: :lol1:

Still as has already been said, think of the Air Miles, few more jobs & your next trip over here will be for free, well the flying part will be :lol1: :lol1:

But the Bar won’t be! 😉

[Karl Williams]

Been looking at this for ages and still can see only 1. 😳

[Karl Williams]

Used the kettle method in the past and yes it works well. But if you are outside in the cold as it is at the moment the panels will cool down quickly. Just be prepared to send the kettle into overdrive! 😉
For me though a heat gun is my preferred method.

[Karl Williams]

I can only see one. 🙁

[Karl Williams]

Let’s see some more Mo. I hate doing astra vans. Trying to get it straight on the sides can be a nightmare. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Now that’s an introduction from a very talented man! 😉

[Karl Williams]

As usual Shane……….Your the man! 😉

[Karl Williams]

Do you have a full image of the text? I’ll draw it in for you mate. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Sorry mate. Can’t find anything close to that. 😕

[Karl Williams]

quote Jason Davies:

Mo, you can buy a reconditioned one of these from Spandex for £2.5K it maybe worth dropping to £1K for a quick sale especially without the cutter??

I disagree mate. The mk 1 edges are going on fleabay for more than what Mo is asking and that’s without software. Mo’s chucking that in as well as carts. I don’t think he’s asking the earth mate.

[Karl Williams]

£65 per metre fitted. 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Jason Davies:

Hi Martin, I’m assuming there is work to do on the front and back. At a push I’d go to £550 if I was quiet but not worth it for anything less.

As Jason has said, £550. 8m of print @ £40ish per meter fitted works out at £360 then the chrome vinyl and standard vinyl. Then you have to fit it. Not to mention your design time. I know you have a design already but unless they give you a file already laid out you will have to sit down and re-design the job.
Maybe push for more.

It is sh!t though. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Looks like Helvetica extra bold or swiss extra bold.

[Karl Williams]

quote Steve McAdie:

quote Phill Fenton:

Well I print most days using a solvent inkjet and it’s never done me any harm *hair*

Are you sure Phill?

Magic! :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

[Karl Williams]

I’d have thought you’d be ok with eco solvent. More reps are pushing the Latex printers so I’d agree on the salesman trying to sell you one.

[Karl Williams]

quote Dale Edwards:

Don’t think it will be worth taking it down actually, boards are ready to go apart from a quick clean, and the jobs simple 1 colour vinyl, Using oracal 651 vinyl, which I think is pretty good isn’t it?

Dale

Not used this vinyl Dale. I’d say do it whilst the sign is up but be prepared to spend a bit more time on it. 😉

[Karl Williams]

86. 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Kevin Flowers:

Its to do with path direction & the order the design is drawn in, the first line would normally be at the back, 2nd line in front of that etc. Each file saves this info so when you group your files it will cut all the 1st drawn lines which means it will jump from design to design. Summa plotters have a option to ignore this & and optimize cutting, don’t known about the Roland. You could try selecting the entire design & send to back & see if that helps. You may need to have the design ungrouped.

Kev

That’s what I was trying to say but I think you said it better Kevin. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Are you sending all the different jobs to cut at the same time? Might be worth a try exporting as an AI file if you can and see if that rectifies the problem. I’ve not used your software mate so I’m advising blind on this one.

[Karl Williams]

Had this years ago when using Duracoat refills. The tension in the ribbon was the problem. I can’t remember now though how we got round it. Obviously you can tighten the ribbon whilst the cart is in the edge but I think this was down to how it was fitted. The best way round it is to use originals but hey hoe most of us would rather use copies if it keeps the cost down as the originals can make a job rather expensive to produce.

[Karl Williams]

If you are making repeated copies in your signmaking software the software recognizes shapes in the order they were made. so on copy 1 will make a circle then go on to the next copy and make another circle. This will or may happen on every shape on every copy. If you tell your cutting software to produce 100 copies lets say then this will recognize the image as 1 separate job and will produce this first then move to the second one. Had the same problem and this was the only answer I could come up with at the time.

[Karl Williams]

We’re all guilty of swapping or helping each other on here with regards to artwork, fonts and the like. I asked for an outline last week and was put in my place straight away and quite rightly so. Looking back and reading Brians posts he has every right to be narked off. I shouldn’t have asked for an outline. This is Brians business being taken for a ride. Perhaps something should be put in place to stop this from happening in the future.

[Karl Williams]

What a terrible waste of life. My sincere condolences to you all John, Very sad news mate.

[Karl Williams]

I’m sure I saw your A-board on Eastenders the other night Phill. 😉

[Karl Williams]

What the fck! Martin…….are you going through a crisis? 😕

[Karl Williams]

quote Daniel Evans:

Nice work on the door all very exiting, i’m starting to get into wrapping just like yourself, I’ve booked onto a course at the end of the month and i can’t wait to get started.

I’ve tried with some dodgy material mactac 8300 or something like that but it was impossible and a waste of time, and looking at the price of the good stuff, i’m thinking by the time i get any good, i would of gone through quite a bit of material which would be more expensive than the course.

Why did you try and wrap with Mactac 8300 Danel? It’s not a wrap vinyl and wont stay in a recess. It’s only a budget vinyl.

[Karl Williams]

I’m interested in the 3m IJ380 because there is no initial grab when it comes in contact with the vehicle. This has been one of my problems in the past as most of my work I’ve done by myself. It does do exactly what it says on the tin.
It may be a bit dearer than some but if it helps redoing a reprint due to it being easier for me to use then really it could work out cheaper and help get the job done that bit quicker. I’m pleased with the results and anyone thinking of giving it a go should try this one first. It saves a whole load of hassle. 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Dave Rowland:

Started playing with Arlon Karl… not yet done anything with wrap just regular surfaces, pricing is better from WS on that stuff

Hi Dave,
Not sure how good it is on deep recesses though mate. Got some samples off William Smith of the IJ380. Very nice to apply and wrap. Bloke up the road is wondering where this piece of vinyl has come from stuck to his van though! 😉

[Karl Williams]

Dave, when you are registered as a member you then register with William Smith. Then it’s all sorted mate. Very worth while if you ask me. 😉

[Karl Williams]

I couldn’t give an idea mate with the info you’ve given. You have to bare in mind factors of the design, What width vinyl you are using, are there any rivets,
what vinyl are you using?
😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Gill Harrison:

Hi Karl

I’ve left all my stuff in the office so I don’t have the price list to hand but I’m guessing your looking at the ij380 with 8580 overlaminate. It’ll be £500 for the kit not each. There’s actually more to add in the near future and some different prices to add as the ij380 is for the deep recesses where as there are other 3M alternatives for less challenging recesses. Feel free to give me a shout tomorrow and I’ll get you the details and up to date prices.

Hope that helps

Gill

Thanks Gill. I will do that. 😉

[Karl Williams]

The S looks like Traffic font mate. Think that’s what it’s called. 😉

[Karl Williams]

quote Warren Beard:

quote Warren Beard:

take a chance mate, they did and why should they be the only winner in the situation?

Contact them and tell them you have seen the vans still have your work on and if it was good enough to keep on then it’s good enough to be paid for or when can you pop around to remove it?

Send an invoice with the details you want it paid to and hope for the best.

It won’t hurt to try.

good luck mate

Warren

did you try this? you never know and if you get no response then think about dropping it or aggressive approach but as they have now been “caught” maybe they will cough up?

Tried that approach already mate.

Graham…..that looks like a great idea mate. 😉

Thanks for the comments guys. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Hello Vince,
I agree with what you are saying mate. I can more than stand up for myself mate. That’s not saying I’m taking offence at what you are saying. And don’t get me wrong I’m by no means a hard nut and it’s not something I’d be proud to brag about if I was. The fact is I have in the past gone for it when I’ve had to deal with numptys such as this guy and also got into a bit of trouble in doing so. Going in there and doing what anyone on here would like to do sounds great in theory but when it turns really sour and you end up looking over your shoulder every time I go down a dark alley is not something I want to return to.
Rest assured me thinking cap is on! 😉

[Karl Williams]

No Mo, you haven’t. I was lead to believe the vans had been stripped. Now it seems they still have the graphics on that I fitted.

[Karl Williams]

Saph, I can’t answer your question but as the other 2 have said all the best. 😉

[Karl Williams]

I haven’t worked it out mate but seriously I wouldn’t do it for that price. Look at it this way, 1 mistake and your in deficit on the job straight away. As you’ve just started don’t take on a job that could bust you before you’ve started. And don’t get excited about the jobs that promise wonders and sh!t cucumbers. (As my dad used to say!)

[Karl Williams]

How big is the sign mate? I know you said 30sq feet but actual size. £140 all in costs???

[Karl Williams]

quote Martin:

Point is that this happened while Karl was trading as a different company so Legally he probably doesn’t have the right to pursue them through small claims or the right to remove it.
Any attempt at removal could see him up in court for something like criminal damage and then being forced to pay for them to put it right.

Speak to someone like citizens advice as they may be able to tell you if you have any legal rights.

They don’t get involved in business to business problems Martin.

[Karl Williams]

Thanks for that Dave. very subtle!

[Karl Williams]

quote Robert Lambie:

without going into who is wrong and right with the reason for any failures.
Personally, as soon as they made it clear you were not getting paid, ide have stripped the vans. I would rather not get paid than not get paid and watch my work driven around for free. as you say, they now have several years out them.

anyway… lesson learned mate. when it comes to the expense of a wrap, you need at very least the cost of the media as a deposit.

This was a customer who I’d done work for before and never had any issues. So on this occasion thought "Nah……All will be fine!"
As you said John go back and strip them off………..I’d rather spray Wnker all over the things!