[Martin Gray]

quote Robert Lambie:

Any of these any use Martin?

Thanks Rob! I will pass these onto my customer hopefully they are what he is looking for.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

It’s new composite trays erected so the old sign are definitely removed.

I can see the landlord side doesnt want to spend anymore money as he has told me he didnt get paid for the last 6 months. If I remove the new signs the pub/hotel wont have any signage and be less likely to get new tenants. Hence why he wants me to erect the old signs.

Great start to the new year! Lol

[Martin Gray]

Thanks for your replys total cost is just over a grand. I’ve spoken with a solicitor and it’s very muddy water. As thr landlord has said I can remove them as long as I erect the old signage which could be in a million bits in a skip by now!

[Martin Gray]

Been a couple of years since the last post and was just wondering if has a different view on this?

I’ve got the weeder and sheeter that was from the states and I wouldnt been here without them. Problem is it only takes 630mm rolls and was wondering if I should get a larger one for 1220mm rolls

Thanks

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Generally I have a price per linear meter that price is once it has been weeded and papered. Then there is design time, applying time.

[Martin Gray]

Thanks. Hopefully the customer is happy with it

[Martin Gray]

Yes it is laminated Kevin.

[Martin Gray]

I think you can buy pre cut rolls for the top door moldings cant remember where from but will help with the cost.

[Martin Gray]

Perfect Thanks Guys.

[Martin Gray]

Thanks Daniel.

[Martin Gray]

I know where your coming from David about the fb messages. Saturday night about 8 o’clock and my phone pings with a message. Someone asking "how much to sign my van" complete and utter waste of my time.

I was on ashby trades website and seen a good idea that I might try to my own website. A multiple choice option. That I thought you could try and put a pricing structure on.

Click on the size of your van. Small medium large. Click on the design you like basic, immediate, part Wrap, Full wrap. Then at the end it will give them an idea of the cost.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

What I do when scaling down proofs. Use the measurement tool to show the size of the proposed sign Duplicate photo with your design, group together and reduce down to roughly the size of an A4 paper then file export image and that should save it as a jpeg.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Some amazing work there. Thanks for sharing.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Yeah Phill the pinch roller is definitely worn phill just wondering if there’s anything else I should change when i strip it down.

Thanks Gil

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks Rob. I did e-mail Gill but never got much Further as it was there last working day.

[Martin Gray]

Aberdeenshire James. Postage is a nightmare. There’s some good companies I just can’t deal with because of postage costs.

[Martin Gray]

I have a 3TB external hard drive and Dropbox.

External hard drive backs up every night and all I do in Dropbox Is copy my work folder paste it in Dropbox. windows then asks if I want to replace the existing work folder. yes. Then If want to replace the subfolders. Yes. Then existing files. No. Then it just backs up the new files.

[Martin Gray]

Sorry I maybe should of said all I’m thinking of doing is having a sign at either side of the door. Not completely covering it up.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Yeah it’s not the most beautiful thing in the world! Lol.

[Martin Gray]

this is the skybond finish look just to let you see

Martin.

[Martin Gray]

You could make a template out composite material. Lay it on top and cut it out by hand. Depends on how much your looking to make I guess.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Rob do you design vehicle wraps in Signlab too? Or edit images in photoshop then import them in to signlab?

[Martin Gray]

So if your designing a van with multiple images you apply blends and fades to the low resolution images. And if you get the go ahead you have to apply the same affects to the high resolution images??

[Martin Gray]

Thanks guys. I just wasn’t sure if you tell your customer about the difference before hand or not. But as you said it depends on price.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Yeah Phill would depend on your vehicle as you might require it to be a wrap vinyl.

[Martin Gray]

Yes maybe your right David. We’re not designers we’re sign makers. Probably because we work with logos, layouts and designs not always of our own. We try and improve ourselves when it comes to our own designs.

[Martin Gray]

I totally agree. Some of the ideas I’ve seen are amazing and I understand that’s what your paying for. But I know I could of done this even with my ability!

[Martin Gray]

I got a look at the invoice he was at it for 4 hours @ £65 an hour. I’m self taught so always feel I’m slow at designing so normally half my hours that I’ve worked on it. But I think the guy is at it a bit because it’s a simple layout job and I could of done it in a couple of hours max. And remember I’m slow!

[Martin Gray]

Thanks Kev

But I managed to find a similar one and alter it.

Martin.

[Martin Gray]

I’m the same can’t walk down a high street without looking at all the signs. Sign up to Pinterest and there are some designers I follow shows you new ideas all the time.

[Martin Gray]

Thanks for all your advice. Took me a full 9 hours to do today.

[Martin Gray]

Well I got the go ahead from the customer. And even tho I’ve got someone to give me a hand I’m thinking of maybe buying a wrap bar to help. Has anybody got any experience with one?

Martin

[Martin Gray]

I quite like the VW Swb Crafter. I’ve signed three if them for a local customer. You can get a 8ft by 4ft signboard up the side and a 10ft by 5ft signboard in at an angle. Yeah again all comes down to the price.

]

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[Martin Gray]

Hi Lorraine

The only thing I do sometimes is double click on your image as it is a JPEG it the box at the top will change and you can click on the eye symbol and that should remove the white. If it doesn’t remove all of the white. I can’t remember but there should be a drop down box with an option of clean up white.

Not sure if that’s what your looking for or not.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks David. I was thinking about 4 hours works. But it always takes me longer than I think. It’s the post heating.

I always wondered how people price up wraps as then normally have a price set out for a small car, medium car, and large car. But with with vehicles being so different you could get one vehicle with flat panels and one with deep contours requiring in lays and a lot of post heating.

[Martin Gray]

Perfect!! Thank you.

[Martin Gray]

Looks really good from what I’ve done. But I guess it depends on the design.

[Martin Gray]

As David said I use the hinge technique. Starting in the middle and working out. You can use a slitter to cut the backing paper. I normally put little bits of masking tape a metre apart to make sure the vinyl does not drop. And with overlapping strokes starting from the middle and working your way out! The attached photo the top bit of vinyl is 6.5 metres by 610mm and in one piece of vinyl.

[Martin Gray]

Thanks Phill

[Martin Gray]

Just off the phone from them! They only do 80mm and 100mm

Martin

[Martin Gray]

What I’ve done in the past Ewan is a pencil,string and a magnet! Mark the curve with the pencil then apply knife less tape to your line.

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[Martin Gray]

Thanks but I think it’s something to do with signlab. I’ve updated my signlab 8 so no joy there!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

I spoke to Graphtec today and he thinks it might be the grip on the lower bar that is worn as it is set up for a full roll all the time! ive tried moving it ever so slightly across abit more but I cant move it much as I still need to cut 580mm. he said to slow the speed down a bit which might help and ive took a blow gun to the rear bar where the bar connects to the rollers as there was abit of fluff between them. that seams to be working better now but think I will maybe still get a new lower roller £180

Thanks

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Yes I am cutting from a old roll just now and its still all over the place! ive had problems before with this but never this bad. ive seen me feed out vinyl and if it goes off track stop and roll it back on the roll and try again till im happy with it but ive done this so much times tonight its unreal!

[Martin Gray]

Thanks guys!

Martin.

[Martin Gray]

Thanks for your help guys! I did try the super size Brian but it was changing the colour of the jpeg to much.

Thanks again!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Ok Jon. There’s a lot functions in signlab that I’ve never used so wasn’t sure!

Thanks

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Brian @ impact.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

The thing I hate about that Chris is they don’t even tell you it’s part rolls! They just send them out!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Yeah I rang up to order a 50m roll of 651-071 grey and was told they only had 30m left. Order arrived as a 25m and a 5m.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

I contacted my design and ask her to increase the file size and for some strange reason that has solved the problem.

Thanks for all your help tho

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Hi guys

Yes I’m importing it as graphics. And I don’t think it’s because the font hasn’t Been converted to curves either because I received the file of there logo from the customer. Opened it everything was fine then e-mailed it to a girl that I’ve got working on designs for me. Then she e-mailed back the design that looks like the JPEG!

Is everybody getting the same when they open it?

[Martin Gray]

Hi Michael

No I E-mailed there website and they posted it from the USA.

Martin.

[Martin Gray]

Sorry I should of explained myself a little more. it would be a full digital image I would be applying onto the wall. Not cut vinyl!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thank you guys!

Martin.

[Martin Gray]

Weeded/sheeter has to be the best thing I’ve bought!

[Martin Gray]

I remember being down at the sign show in biringham a few years ago. And someone was offering to take it for recylcing.

Can’t remember the name tho. Maybe was Robert horn, or spandex.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Martin I’ve used both tapes and prefer the knifeless tape to wrapcut. Yes there is a technic to it but I think I should manage it.

Thanks

[Martin Gray]

Thanks guys

I’ve booked the van in for the first weekend in December. Will let you know how It goes!

[Martin Gray]

If putting your foot down doesn’t work!!!

You can get a divert service so when the line is engaged it will transfer the phone call to the fax line.

Hope that helps

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Your a star Chris! Thank you so much.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks Kevin.

As am doing this job in cut vinyl. what is the best way to match this? ive just printed off an A4 print of there logo on my home printer and am looking through my vinyl charts! I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not!?

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks Guys

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Just a quick bump.

i’ve checked all my 3M charts & oracal but they all look more violet and purple.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Well after 4 years in the trade. Im going to have to sign my first van in comic sans! Customer requested it. I tried to explained the difference between fonts how they represent your business image. Then did a mock up of her van. And one of my own. E-mailed the customer with the same price.

Got the go ahead today please go ahead with the comic sans font!

Well its money. But am not excited bout doing the job!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Perfect!!

Thanks James

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks for the Advice, Here’s a couple of photos of the finished job. Roof is done in Matt White with gloss cut letters.

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[Martin Gray]

If you want to save getting dust Put some water down on the ground where you are going to be spraying, That’s if you can.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Only other thing I can think of is there is a guy near me that can mix paint into a aerosol tin. So there are people that could do that for you. Only problem is it would be some sort of a single pack paint and would take alot long to dry and out gas before applying vinyl to it.

Hope that help

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Ive painted ACM before, As Richard says 2 pack paint is the way to go. Best to use a fast hardener do it last thing at night and it will be dry by the morning.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks for all your comments and photos. I thought it would look nice but just wanted to see it before I went ahead. I will post a few photos once I’ve done the job

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks for your nice comments. I wish i could Martin but the customer is jumping for these vans. Not that am rushing doing them but as soon as There finished they go up the road to different depots.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks I used 3mij180 as this was my first wrap I felt more confidant knowing it was bubble free vinyl. There is a different technic to it, But I got some samples to play with before I got the printed vinyl.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

There’s a free Version Jamie but only does quotes and invoices. That’s what I work and think its great. But there is upgrades that do your stock and better quoting and alot more! I would recommend downloading the free version and see if you like the interface.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

I phoned them a few days ago about them. Was told he investigate and phone back. Ive had no call as of yet!!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks guys. How you liking it? Not 100% sold on knifeless tape. It leaves abit of a rough edge. And the thing I really don’t like is even tho you apply the tape straight the string underneath isn’t and can give you wobble line.

But for speed and not cutting on paintwork it’s great.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Hi Ive just finished my first roll of knifeless tape and was going to buy a roll of the wrapcut to compare it. can you tell me who a sells it?

Thanks

Martin

[Martin Gray]

I had a quick google and seen that there is a PPG product that is designed for painting curtains. Will speak to our paint rep on Thursday to see what the price is like to compare.

Thanks Rob

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Hi Rob

Am a car painter at trade so i could easy spray paint it. But would be worried about the flex in the curtain cracking the paint?

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Ive only got a small ford connect but does what i need it to do. I went down the clean & simple look. And when i get round to it will wrap the rear doors as a showpeace. When i ask a customer want he wants on his van the amount that say… just something along the same lines as whats on your van! so i take thats as a compliment

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Harry i really like the tartan fading out looks nice. Fonts arent my strong point but will have a look through some more tonight. Thanks for your help guys.

[Martin Gray]

Am the same as David! Ive done a gym with 50 series and a car showroom. worked a treat.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

I just ordered the izettle will let you know my thoughts once ive used it.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Am the same as David. Hi tack all the way never had a problem. And William smiths have an offer on atm. 4 free slits.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

I was going just to supply to the customer so thought channel with fixings would be easier for the customer. But thanks for the idea I can easy pass them on if I cant find anything.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Some nice work there Ben.

Btw what vinyl is that you used on the joe van? It’s a nice colour of blue that I mite try on a up coming design I’ve got to do.

Martin.

[Martin Gray]

Perfect! It always look better on your company when you talk to a customer and sounds like you know what your talking about.

Thanks

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks for all the reply’s.

Am away from my computer today but will have a play with it tonight. I will try your idea Jill and maybe use white reflective on the bottom. Am thinking of removing the side moldings and painting the arches from grey to matt black so should blend in ok. On the kilt front the only problem i see is maybe the customers will want me to fit it in a kilt! And its not exactly tropical weather up here atm.

haha. I knew that was your plan Phill. But not to worry am thinking of wrapping the rear so al have a wee job for your printer! 🙂

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Hiya, Sorry for the late reply.

I kept it simple and stole a little bit of harvey shaws idea with the line

Thank you.

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[Martin Gray]

Thanks Guys That has helped me alot!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

David

Rob did a demo a while back i hope this helps

Martin

https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=17576

[Martin Gray]

They normally do hence why I didn’t ask. But I Suppose now idays theres cut backs with most things. So with cut backs there no offcuts!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks guys. I’ve played about with it. And think it looks abit better. Now to see what the customer thinks

Thanks again for your replys.

Martin.

[Martin Gray]

They do alot more then domestic animals. So want a logo for there different stationery.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Has to be a bulls face, the horse shoe has to have square holes. everything else has to stay the same.

So in other words not alot!

This is there logo i applied onto there van afew weeks back.

Martin

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[Martin Gray]

Great variation in work there David. good to see your being kept busy.

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Thanks John much appreciated!

Martin

[Martin Gray]

Just thought i would post photos of the finished job, very happy with it and the vinyl went down very well. another one to do in two weeks time.

Martin

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[Martin Gray]

I’ve used these colours in the past

oracal 651 063 for the green

oracal 651 047 for the red

Hope that helps

Martin

[Martin Gray]

well the boats for rosehearty. and i do know they like a bucket full there! ha