[Shaun Harris]

I’ve started to get some of the black back at the bottom of the channel but not in line

[Shaun Harris]

Stafford.

I am getting black firing into my yellow. I used to get some black ink spots firing below the test print but now Iv’e lost about 3rd of the bottom of four of the black channels.

I clean the machine regularly and I have done a head soak. still the same.

[Shaun Harris]

CJV30

[Shaun Harris]

I have had a rep visit me a couple of times lately trying to sell me Sun Chemical cartridges and a bulk system. I have used Genuine ink since buying the machine and have stayed away from 3rd party.

However for once I am tempted at £55 per cartridge against £79 it is a fair saving and they say they will guarantee the head and they are sure there is no way I will be able to see a difference in the print quality.

[Shaun Harris]

Many Thanks Chris.

I knew I had it and I’ve used it before but couldn’t remember on what. Now I’ve seen the name I remember it was on a boat.

George, I agree but it is a match job.

Thanks again.

[Shaun Harris]

I can’t really complain Chris, I’m trying out a sample Spandex sent me so there has been no cost to me. Well except time and ink.

[Shaun Harris]

Thats a long way to go and realise you’ve left something behind.

Great job.

[Shaun Harris]

We have used the correct profile from Spandex and reduced the amount of ink laid down all with the same results. Heat setting 35-35-40 we were trying to print an orange background with black text. We changed the background to light blue and it has printed fine. No banding and no ink pooling

[Shaun Harris]

Okay, thanks for the help.

[Shaun Harris]

Is it compatible with printing though? The main problem we are having is that the ink just seems to sit on top of the cling.

we printed a sample about a month ago, left it on a window after it had dried, yet that just came off like the ink had never even dried.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Neil.

The CJV is being installed on Wednesday of next week and we will receive 2 days training with the engineer so I will be looking through the answers I have received to help with questions.

Shaun.

[Shaun Harris]

quote Martin:

Not quite sure how Robert manages but he runs different versions of signlab on different workstations, apart from working out some sort of system for what work is done on what work station don’t know what the answer is.

Lets just hope the all seeing eye spots this and tells us!!

I would love to know.

[Shaun Harris]

I did think that Peter but a tray of that size with a 150mm return on an old stone style building would look out of keeping I think it would look too boxy

[Shaun Harris]

You are right, I should have all the machines running the same software but upgrading both to the latest version will cost about £1300, rather a lot in the current climate.

Having said that as the two computers are networked and I cannot open the SL8 files on the other computer with SL6 it makes it redundant, and the plotter connected to it and also means we are trying to share the one computer.

[Shaun Harris]

quote Martin Cole:

Signlab for me….but it’s all I have ever used so a bit bias.
I still use S/L 5 for my vinyl work and S/L 8 for versaworks for printing.

It’s very user friendly and well worth the investment and I don’t think it’s that expensive for entry level.There was a thread on costings not long ago so worth a search.

http://cadlink.com/products/signLab/

Peter.

I have SL8 on one computer and SL6 on another, both print and cut but I cant open files on 6 once they have had any work done in 8 how do you manage?

[Shaun Harris]

I currently run SL8 and I am about to purchase a CJV30 with Rasterlink so I was interested when I spotted this thread.

I am interested to know if anyone here has any more to add as I am venturing from an Edge to ink. I do currently outsource print so we do prepare the job ourselves.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Steve.

The Mimaki I am looking at is a CJV30-100 which is a meter wide so for pop ups it would be great although I’m finding that all the inquiries I make with reference to media say that I will have to have it cut down

[Shaun Harris]

quote Gary Birch:

Will have a 540v available in the next few weeks. If interested let me know.

Cheers

Gary

Obviously price is a major factor and history. I am tight for space so this is a consideration.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Guys.

Ashby have now come back with a price. They where unsure at first but they’ve come up trumps.

Shaun.

[Shaun Harris]

Neil if you send it through I will convert it for you.

Not sure as to the rules of posting my email address but as you are a full member you may have access to it anyway any problems just post here again and I will reply.

[Shaun Harris]

When I was talking to the zapkut guy at the show he said that the price included a DeWalt saw.

As to the space issue, they had a wall mounted saw that looked very good and should be on sale soon, it also accepted a router so it would be great for making trays

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Peter.

I’ve got build 04. Can I get auto updates? or do I need to contact Cadlink?

[Shaun Harris]

signlab 8

[Shaun Harris]

Well sort of yes but no.

I asked the question as to how much was on each roll when I placed my bid. I had no reply.

I ended up as the winner but as I was busy I didn’t do the payment straight away.

The next thing a parcel arrived, the seller marked me as paid and left positive feedback

And now I have 2 people (angel) 👿 sat on my shoulders arguing which way to play this.

And I’ve just realised something. I haven’t measured the vinyl but the sticker says 15×10 I was thinking 15" because it’s American is the 10 meters or feet

[Shaun Harris]

Be prepared for sore fingers

I would price per hour.

I looked at a job in Bristol 12 windows 4’x4′ I caught hold of a corner and it peeled off very easily, I thought this will be easy but as it had to be replaced by a coloured vinyl I thought that would be the time consuming part and put a decent price in. It turned out that unfortunately I had peeled off the only piece that was easy to remove. It took 2 of us 2 days to remove the rest of the windows and put the coloured vinyl on.

[Shaun Harris]

So does this function use the same blade and wear bar?
If so does this wear the blade quicker?

[Shaun Harris]

Colin

I had the same problem.

When the option opens to select what size you want to save the file, there is an option to export as bitmap you need to check that box. Just be aware this needs a massive amount of RAM for large objects. I usually reduce the image to 25% before trying this.

[Shaun Harris]

Paul.

I’m using signlab so I’m not sure if this helps.

When i import the impact file it is ungrouped, I click in the centre of the image and only the outer border is highlighted I can then select the colour needed and the contours stay black. Once the vehicle is the required colour the whole image can be grouped so the you dont grab an individual piece when adding the graphic.

[Shaun Harris]

Andrew it was around the £300 mark which is half the price of some others

[Shaun Harris]

Hi everyone

Thank you all for the comments. for some reason I’ve not been getting emails to say that postings have been made and thought that my efforts have gone unnoticed.

To answer some of the comments.
The vinyl is the image perfect version of the avery easy apply with the matching laminate. However, (this will upset vinyl purists) we ran out so the cills were printed on calendered oracle vinyl and wet laminated with metamark laminate and to be honest that was the easiest to apply and by far the cheapest, it will be interesting to see how it lasts.

The wrap course at spandex was very good with plenty of hands on experience and also cheaper than many of the others, plus as I live in Bristol it’s on the doorstep.

Now that i’ve done it and had chance to stand back I have spotted many of the design flaws. I’ve already looked at how to make the name on the side larger, I can see that the details are fine on the back where someone following can read it bu almost pointless if they are taking up space on the side where the name should be larger. Does anyone think that doing that with cut vinyl over the top of the wrap will look ok or terrible

I did originally continue the bonnet design over the grill but as the grill slats are quite deep I struggle to cover all of the white and it looked terrible, when I re-do the bonnet I will print some extra to cover the recess’s in the grill.

Robert, just out of interest where did you see signs for CP signs in cheddar? I do know of them through BMX (not me my son) they are based in Bridgewater and I’m not sure if they are members.

hope that covers some remarks, like I said all comments are constructive.

[Shaun Harris]

Paul.

Why not look at an Edge?

They do pop up on Ebay quite often.
They may be old but for basic stickers they are great and you can also use metallic finishes that are not possible with ink

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks guys all comments welcome.

I tend to agree from the front it does look busy with the different themes.

My thoughts were to have a theme that would incorporate signs and also catch peoples eye, the original idea was to have a wall all over the van with signs screwed to it, but the brickwork may look like a builder. As we are in a rural area I thought the countryside look would fit in.

I went through the fast and furious style graphics and thought better of it (after all its a 10 year old berlingo) There is a sign company nearbye that has water droplets all over their van and another that has smarties and not wanting to talk out of turn but they are very busy, but I would say they do make you look.

I thought about having the wall continuing over the bonnet but getting it to line up may have been an issue and also a flat wall didn’t look correct. The idea behind the bonnet was to attract the younger customer who may want their bonnet wrapped

[Shaun Harris]

Here are some pictures of the bumps/bulges in the magnetic

[/img]

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Gavin.

I have received a product pack this morning from APA and they have a colour in their banner range (also in the truck range) that is very close so I will take that to the customer.

[Shaun Harris]

Yes I know Martin. we have mutual friends in Tony Groves and dev Cavanagh. Also I think you know Keith Knight another sign maker in Bris?

[Shaun Harris]

I had a Titan rep come in and promise me cheaper calls and fee to get out of my contract with one bill.

they wrote to One Bill and tried to take my account.

Turned out they were not cheaper they couldn’t do my broadband and I would of got a bill for ending my contract.

No such thing as a free lunch.

[Shaun Harris]

Hi Mariska.

Where in Bath are you? I am just up the road in Wick.
Have you met Tim from Sign Post? they are in Bath and Tim posts on here.

Also Martin Where are you? I work in Cheddar so probably pass near to you on my way in each day.

[Shaun Harris]

Hi Glynn

Where in Bristol are you?

I’m based in Cheddar but live in Bristol.

If you have a kettle I will pop in to say hello.

[Shaun Harris]

It’s the whole thickness as though there is something behind the magnetic

[Shaun Harris]

Good thinking Graeme

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks

This has given me something to think about.

I was wondering if I could print with my edge. I was sent a sample of a thin plastic (not sure what it is) which I could cut with a knife just for a sample.

I’m thinking that if that is acceptable and I get the job I would have to have them screen printed and die cut

[Shaun Harris]

Also bought a pair from Cherwell but I would say that I was given 1 Avery magnet on my wrapping course, they are very expensive but the one Avery magnet is stronger than the 2 from Cherwell put together.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Rob. I did find them after a second look.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Chris.

the toolbar was my first port of call but couldn’t find anything, although it’s probably staring me in the face.

The Johnson site is excellent, however the nearest dealer is in Holland and I’m only after a couple of meters.

[Shaun Harris]

GRAZIE, MA NON PARLARE ITALIANO

[Shaun Harris]

I have a feeling only signlab 8 will open pdf files.

[Shaun Harris]

£150K a week can buy the car but not taste

[Shaun Harris]

Tim

This is the effect I’m after.
As you can see I’ve just tiled the file you made to get the basic idea together. With the grass I tried to separate it from the sky, using fluid mask, again just to put the idea on paper, I am aware it needs work but this is the closest I’ve come to an idea that I’m happy with.

I’m planning on the bonnet being a different theme as it would look odd to have the wall over it.

Part of the challenge has been to do something that will be ok with the plastic moldings left grey to keep the cost down.

---

Attachments:

[Shaun Harris]

Tim.

I have cs3.

I have looked for eye candy plugins but can’t find them (found eye candy caddies though).
Do you know where to get trial software?

Shaun.

[Shaun Harris]

That looks great Tim. did you use photoshop fills to make that then blend it together?

The effect I am going for is the grass along the bottom then a stone wall half way up the van then the sky.

I’m then going to add a couple of signs screwed to the wall and a post and panel sign behind the wall showing over the top

Sounds alot I know. I am just getting into photoshop so it’s a bit of a learning curve.

[Shaun Harris]

That looks very much like it Tim

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Chris.

I tried to find it on other font sites but funnily enough they wanted paying.

I will save that site.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Tim

it’s connected by Parallel port

[Shaun Harris]

quote Nicola McIntosh:

pm facilities are only available to uksb members only 😀

nik

One day I will be worthy 😉

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Dan. I have that and a few other segoe fonts but it’s the script one that I need.

Just a thought on what you said. How do I pm someone? can you do that as a gold member?

[Shaun Harris]

Pete I know you told me at the show not to go on a course with more than 4 people but we had 8 on the course at Spandex. However we had 2 cars an 05 Passat and a 55 face lift model both having very different contours, there were also 2 van side doors fixed to a frame with different contours

Garreth from ast ran the course and we also had 2 staff from Spandex. after about one and a half hrs theory we were hands on with tuition throughout, great light lunch included.

Day 2 we completely wrapped the 2 cars working in pairs again with help when needed, we also covered trimming and post heating on day 2.

Well worth the money and as I live in Bristol, great location.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks guys.

Wasn’t sure if res was the same as Dpi. I’m using SL8. there is an option to supersize image, I’ve changed the resolution to 300×300 which makes the image 70 MB (I did know the file size would go up) so I can’t send it (it’s a 4M banner) even zipped up it’s about 15MB.

I was trying to work out which format to send it in to get a smaller file size, but needed to make sure I was doing the correct thing with the res first.

[Shaun Harris]

that takes window tinting to a whole new level.

[Shaun Harris]

Mathew.

I’ve just done a 2 day course at Spandex in Bristol at a cost of £350 for 2 days. It was a very informative course and ran in conjunction with Avery and ast signs who I believe are in Manchester.

[Shaun Harris]

Jim

Do you Nobby (Nobby’s Signs) he is just along the motorway / dual carriageway from you at Cross Hands.

I have found the sticker you where talking about it’s on the right with it’s back facing you if that makes sense, mine says 10/8/6, surely an Edge1 has to be older than 3 years old?

[Shaun Harris]

Jim

Sorry I haven’t replied, for some reason I haven’t been getting emails reminders for this thread, must of clicked on the wrong link.

Victory have had bad press on here before. I’ve never had any dealings with them but from what I’ve heard I don’t plan to.

How are you getting on with the new toy? Why not post some of your efforts.

[Shaun Harris]

Paul.

I know what you are saying, training like that is obviously an investment, but it would have to be a good course for that. They do run a 2 day course £690.

[Shaun Harris]

quote Paul S Martin:

Hi Rich

Hope this helps M8, I might be booking soon also.

http://www.rolanddg.co.uk/public/portfo … aspx?id=79

All the best
Paul 🙂

Sounds good but £400 is alot for 1 day.

I had a chat with Ray at the show and as usual within 5 minutes of talking to him I had learnt some great tips.

I would like to see a tutorial on building up the SL8 logo there are alot of different features used in it.

[Shaun Harris]

quote Jim Harris:

( I would love to tell you the company am I allowed on this board?)

They said I needed to upgrade but I was happy with the edition I was using and couldn’t afford an upgrade, they refused point blank so I stopped buying all my vinyl from them.

Cheers Jim

I have seen people name and shame on here but I don’t know what the rules are.

As long as you are telling the truth I would see no problem.

[Shaun Harris]

I’m also running a GSx plus and signlab. And my name’s Harris. Spooky

Where are you in Wales?

[Shaun Harris]

Tim

What software are you using?

[Shaun Harris]

quote Tony Teveris:

I also have a PDF on changing the O rings. I do not know the Part # or how to care for them, just a “How to change”. If anyone wants or needs it you will have to email me for it. I’m a software guy and just collect documents as they pass my way.

Hi Tony.

I’ve just realised it was you who sourced the pdf for me.

As to Jims question about cleaning the O rings, Spandex tech guys say to just keep them dust free which is not easy with a huge dust magnet like an Edge. For cleaning the heads you need an alchohol wipe.

[Shaun Harris]

Jim.

It would be difficult to tell how much work the machine has done,One way is to look at the sprockets to see if there is any glue build up but then if the machine is looked after then there would be very little as it’s advisable to clean the sprockets as this can affect registration.

The O rings I mentioned are next to the sprockets and they do crack if the machine is not cleaned regularly , as I have found.

[Shaun Harris]

Hi Jim, I also have an Edge 1 , great machine but obviously limited against a full digi machine, having said that I have seen some amazing work on 4 edge talk, I guess it’s all about knowing what you can achieve.

All the main vinyl suppliers will supply 380 sprocketed material, I’ve used Spandex, Metamark and Print 1.
Print 1 are by far the cheapest for foils but as with all suppliers there prices have climbed due to the weak pound.

As for engineers Spandex are the only official people for this, it’s £280 for a call out which only includes 1 hours labor plus parts.
I recently had both O rings break that drive the top roller (the platen) I was told it would take over an hour to replace them. The cost of parts £1.29 each However I spoke to someone else in technical who suggested changing them myself so after asking some questions on here and another forum for the Edge I got an email from someone who dealt with software , he spoke to a colleague in hardware and they sent me a copy of the procedure to change them. Saved a lot of money.

The hidden button is between the slew button and the setup but as far as I know it’s for printing a test This may help.
http://www.gspinc.com/downloads/PDF/fas … Manual.pdf

[Shaun Harris]

Just to add a question to what Ben has asked would anyone advise on the VP300, and apart from the obvious size difference is there any disadvantage against the 54"?
Bearing in mind I will be going from an edge 1, and with that in mind is there anything the edge would be better for?

[Shaun Harris]

Also try this

http://www.vialux.eu

Had the sales manager Thomas in to see me today about notice boards and they also supply mirrors.

[Shaun Harris]

Graeme,
I have had Thomas from SPL group visit me this morning , he brought some samples and they are very good quality. They have a strict policy of only dealing with trade.

http://www.vitincom.eu

Another company I have used is systeme standex for an illuminated menu case again a very good quality product.

http://www.system-standex.co.uk

[Shaun Harris]

Tim why do you have to go through an agent for spandex?
I have just spoken to Spandex with the same query as I have some vinyl that has been flood coated a very odd colour. At first they said no as the product is not from them but as they cannot supply this colour I am sending them a sample and they are going to come back to me.

I’m guessing if your vinyl is a standard colour that Spandex supply then you may get a no from them as well.

But that depends how well you get on with them.

[Shaun Harris]

I agree with Phil. I have found the guide very useful.

I do think the vehicle prices are a bit lean but like it says it’s a guide.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks gents I have it now

[Shaun Harris]

James.

If you ring Ray at SL or email him. rayw@cadlink.co.uk he will email you the full palette range from MM.

To add it as default click on the button next to the existing palette, the one with three dots, go to load and you have three options you can set the default there.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks gents, Printone also do it but call it something else, I think they said mini void?

[Shaun Harris]

I must ask Neil have you lost the account to BP? If so that is not just disgusting but if they have offered discreet packaging and not done so they have broken their contract. Even if they have made a mistake on the packaging at the very least they should not supply the end user as a matter of decency. This obviously is if they are the replacement supplier.

As to Pauls point regarding discreet packaging, I’ve never used it but surely every courier has a system in place for such a service.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Lorraine

Ray has sent me the palette. He only completed it last week so that’s why I couldn’t find it.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks all.

I have done the flip and stretch using Mistral and all looks good.

[Shaun Harris]

Very nice Paul.

Isn’t it nice when you get a customer who is looking or willing to have a sign that is not just a flat panel.

This customer wanted something to replace the standard brass plaque seen outside of most dentists. I used 24mm studs through a 3mm stainless panel then mounted the blue acrylic with press studs.

---

Attachments:

[Shaun Harris]

quote Peter Normington:

Nigel
It may well be the version of signlab, ( I am on 8)
I just saved a Jpg from cs3 as cymk, and it imported into signlab OK
Peter

I have a demo of 8 and that opened it.

I have just saved the Jpeg in question as RGB using Illustrator and 6 opened it

Thanks Gents.

And not forgetting Patricia Thanks

[Shaun Harris]

quote Dave Rowland:

hmm. SignLab doesn’t support CMYK JPEG? hmmmm that would worry me

I am running Signlab 6 and I’m guessing most out there are on at least 7.1. I did speak with Richard yesterday from Signmaster and I think it’s time I upgraded at least one PC. I will however save the image as RGB to try it.

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Patricia.

I have done that using photoshop I exported it from there as a tif then imported it into Signlab.

A route I have used in the past was to export a file from Illustrator after saving it as a legacy Ai file then saving as Illustrator 3 but this wouldn’t work, hence saving it as a Tif

However I have got a demo of Signlab 8 and that opened it with no problem so I’m thinking even though it’s holiday time and we are not in the best financial climate it may be time to upgrade.

[Shaun Harris]

Dragging this discussion back up.

It didn’t really work did it there was a 2.5% reduction which made very little impact especially for those of us who are VAT registered.

This morning I (as I’m sure many of you have) have received a letter from a very well known supplier explaining how the weakness in the pound has forced up prices and there will be increases between 3%-5% on some products.

And I’m sure they will not be the last to send out these letters.

[Shaun Harris]

Nothing really happens there a blink on the screen as though something has happened but the page is still blank.

I have now saved it as a tif using Photoshop and it opened but it is making me think about where I need to go with upgrades.

I’m using Signlab 6 and Photoshop CS (and Illustrator) which is fine as I only cut from it or use the Edge, however as the files people are sending me are useing more up to date programs I need to do something but it’s choosing which way to go.

[Shaun Harris]

With the time involved and paying £10-£20 for the model, how much are customers paying for these finished?

OK I understand if you have one or two really good customers it is worth the effort.

[Shaun Harris]

Do you think I should insist in payment up front?

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks George.

No doubt I will be looking to replace it with an Hbos logo in a couple of weeks.

[Shaun Harris]

That was lucky as he has had a lot of clothes printed.

[Shaun Harris]

Dan.

Am I to take it from your reply that my customer has made a spelling mistake?

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Paul.

Just got my membership confirmed so this is the first time I have been able to use this service.

Shaun.

[Shaun Harris]

Mr Boyle is a bit late.

There was a teacher on GWR the local station in Bristol a couple of months ago and she has done this for the last year.

[Shaun Harris]

Using Signlab.

[Shaun Harris]

I get the same thing Hugh

I find the home page freezes when scrolling down.

[Shaun Harris]

quote Brian Hays:

£350+vat is the crossgrade price for Signlab version 8.0. To qualify for that price you must have an existing competitors package.

It is a new deal as pre version 8.0 there was never an option to crossgrade to Signlab Vinyl.

Does this work the other way I.E I’m using signlab 6 and I have been quoted £550 for each system (I have 2) to upgrade to Signlab 8.
If I decide to go to a competitor would Cadlink offer me the upgrade for £350?

The other thing Brian what version of signlab are you getting for £350? I run colormaster. Which I’m told is the top version. So that could be the reason for the upgrade price.

[Shaun Harris]

quote Graeme Harrold:

quote Hugh Potter:

what the heck do those fractions mean? lol.

to know the vat to add, simply multiply the non vat figure by 1.175

to find the vat in a vat incl price, divide by 1.175.

with the reduced rate simple multiply or divide by 1.15.

job jobbed!

Unfortunately not so simple Hugh……..You would be selling yourself short if you did that.

Example

£100 plus 10% is £110……..If you then take off 10% (£11) you only have £99 hence the need for simple fractions to reduce the inclusive price back to cost. :lol1: :lol1:

Add vat multiply by 1.15, and to find the vat multiply by 0.15.

To find the VAT in an inclusive price, multiply it buy 0.13

Graeme

Hugh is correct he is multiplying and dividing by the same figure, what you are saying is wrong is adding a percentage (a fraction) then taking away a percentage of the new number. You are correct in saying this doesn’t work but that is not what Hugh has said to do..
However someone else earlier on this thread did suggest the percentage thing.
Another way of working out the VAT on something at 17.5% is multiply by 7 divide by 47.

[Shaun Harris]

Also received one this morning.

But I received a copy of the same from my accountant yesterday by email

[Shaun Harris]

quote John Childs:

quote Peter Normington:

sorry can someone explain more simply?

I thought I had. 😀

Whatever VAT you pay, you claim back. Zero sum.
Whatever VAT you charge, you hand over. Zero sum.
The actual rates at any given time are immaterial.

Come on Peter. Surely you can remember the time when we had two standard rates of VAT concurrently. As I recall, 8% on some stuff, and 12.5% on what the government decreed were “luxury” goods.

Here it is in simple terms

We collect the taxes free of charge and send it to the government.
No matter what the rate

[Shaun Harris]

Just out of interest.

What material are you making the stickers from?

I did some to go on the roofs of some mini models for a local mini club and used clear vinyl and printed them on the Edge.