I got through a lot of tape here in the boondocks, and it seems to me that someone would make up a dang tape that dont cost so dang much. I mean, heck, we just use it long enough to stick the dang vinyl on the surface or substrate, and then into the trash can. At least the dang vinyl stays on there and we get some use out of it. We just ball up that expensive dang masking tape and throw it away. I think Ill break into some sign supply place and steal me enough to last me awhile, and then stop at the gas station and get me some of that 3.00 a gallon gasoline. Ill bitch about that later. Did I say "dang" enough?
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
John, I totally agree buddy! Hang in there.
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
I hardly use transfer tape anymore since switching over to digital. I just tape an edge and run it through the mounting machine. Its also very fast and no bubbles.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Don't bother me any, I don't pay for the transfer tape, the customers do. Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
I hear you John.
The only way I've been able to cut the cost and waste on App Tape is by buying full 4ft logs, especially when they are on "special". Sign Supply shops will often do deals on quantity, evn if it's only free freight. We get these split free into two 2ft wide rolls to fit the dispenser on our weeding table.
Also I have a foot wide roll of re-useable clear for all the small stuff or layered graphics. This roll has virtually lasted us for years.
By the way John, your CD hasn't arrived yet. I will check the mail this morning before we fly out tonight on a week's holiday. It will be something I will look forward to coming home to Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Yeah well, we also spend good money on boxes of garbage bags whose sole purpose is to get thrown away and what's worse, the manufacturers put a whole lot of R&D into all kinds of funky features and revelations and marketing trying to convince us to spend more money on a stupid bag that goes straight into the trash.
At least the masking tape has some value to it. Try applying detailed computer cut vinyl *without* it... oh yeah, it saves us a lot of time and money.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
One way to save on inhouse application is to use a Speed Press or a home built version!
Posted by Dawn Ellis (Member # 3529) on :
John, I tried a new brand recently called PerfecTear. It's less expensive and it's been working fine for me. I don't do very large graphics though.
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
I saw a speed press at another shop nearby...I agree with Si...it's a pretty good way to save on app. tape, especially if you are doing repetitive stuff.
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
A speed press can be your best friend, or your worst enemy, all within the span of 5 minutes.
We use a speed press for certain types of work, and most of the time it's great. I also tend to re-use application tape if it's convenient.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Ditto to Russ! I find I can reroll some large slabs of app tape and reuse them at least once again with no problems or extra time taken.
(Now is someone going to complain about all that perfectly good toilet paper that only gets used once and thrown away... )
Posted by Mark M. Kottwitz (Member # 1764) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ian Stewart-Koster: (Now is someone going to complain about all that perfectly good toilet paper that only gets used once and thrown away... )
No way, you just have to know where to get it...The gas station. They have the mega rolls of the John Wayne paper.
Years ago, a buddy and I were headed down to Lake Charles to visit his parents, and I went into the gas station restroom and they had 2 rolls laying on top of the counter. I walked out, and my buddy went in, and when he came out he had his coat closed and a tail of paper sticking out the bottom. He only grabbed one, but that roll lasted him something like 6 montht.
There is nothing funnier that a Cajun running from a restroom with toilet paper sticking out of his coat, yelling in an excited wisper (in a thick accent) "Guess what I got...go, go, go...!"
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mark M. Kottwitz: Years ago, a buddy and I were headed down to Lake Charles to visit his parents, and I went into the gas station restroom and they had 2 rolls laying on top of the counter. I walked out, and my buddy went in, and when he came out he had his coat closed and a tail of paper sticking out the bottom. He only grabbed one, but that roll lasted him something like 6 montht.
There is nothing funnier that a Cajun running from a restroom with toilet paper sticking out of his coat, yelling in an excited wisper (in a thick accent) "Guess what I got...go, go, go...!"
damn minitruckers!! hahahahahaha!!
Posted by Tim Whitcher (Member # 685) on :
I don't use tranfer tape. I buy rubber cement by the gallon, and save the butcher paper and paper bags I get my groceries in. When it's slow, I spread the paper with the rubber cement, then let it cure over night. Then, I carefully roll the paper around a recycled vinyl tube. If anyone wants to know more, please email me. I'd describe the process in full, but the glue fumes are getting to me, and I need to mix up some dish detergent and water for my wet apps...................................
Posted by Carl Wood (Member # 1223) on :
I git it - but whut do ya do with the huge "Boogers" from the rubber cement?????
[ April 22, 2006, 12:47 AM: Message edited by: Carl Wood ]
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I love the Speed Press for putting down paint mask for painting basketball courts, but I have yet to make it work with HP vinyl on aluminum. I always get a ton of bubbles. I must be doing something wrong.
Posted by Steve Childs (Member # 6490) on :
It must be a slow day, John. Complaining about transfer tape costs? Come on...
It's the cheapest product I have to buy for my business. I hardly think about it. I'm more concerned about the rising prices of vinyl, for Pete's sake.
[ April 23, 2006, 01:30 AM: Message edited by: Steve Childs ]
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Do they have sense of humors out there in omaha Steve? MOst of my post was tongue in cheek, but I do think about the costs involved in my job. Im glad you hardly think about it. GIves you more time to think up these witty replies of yours. Tell Pete I said hello. Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
My first thought for you john was that you need to check out the speedpress if your worried about app tape costs. of course I must agree with Bob Rochon, your not paying for it, your customers are, or they should be anyway. I only wish I didnt have to inventory more than one width of the stuff, but hey its so much easier using a 4" roll on one strip of 3" letters than trying to use a 24" roll for the same job
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[For Your Information]](graemlins/fyi.gif)
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
