The Letterville BullBoard: Cast or Calendered?

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Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :

A few years ago when I started using vinyl and not knowing much about it, I used calendered vinyl. After noticing that most of the letters were shrinking and wrinkling after two or three years in the cruel Florida sun, I switched to premium films. I now only use calendered for cutout patterns on wood signs.

One of my competitors, who wants me to sell vinyl lettering to her wholesale (she wants it dirt cheap), informed me that she uses only calendered (but she doesn't have a plotter). Another competitor has mentioned in the past that he uses it also. The closest sign supply in Dothan, Alabama doesn't even carry premium vinyl.

Does intermediate vinyl hold up well in your neck of the woods?

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Wayne Webb
Webb Sign Studio,Inc.
Blastin' "woodesigns" in The Sunshine State
"autograph your work with excellence"
webbsignstudio@digitalexp.com

[This message has been edited by Wayne Webb (edited May 23, 2000).]

Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :

iam over herein pensacola and lived in sarasota for 18 yrs.....i use calendared vinyl for some applications...(those who want cheap)but i use the best i think is SPAR-CAL PROMO PLUS i have stuff in sarasota tahts over 3-4 yrs old and its still lookin good ....around pensacola everybody thinks ora cal is the best...i dont like it to plastic...and i buy the promo on 50 yard rolls...makes it really in expensive..

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joe pribish-A SIGN MINT
6050 mobile hwy
pensacola, fl 32526
850-944-5060

Posted by Brad Farha (Member # 931) on :

Calendered vinyls are ok for temporary outdoor use here. That's all I use on real estate signs or magnetics for example. For vehicles, I wouldn't use anything other than cast although an exception can be made on occasion when using black or white. Even cast metallics don't do well unless it's an ultra metallic.

I almost always use calendered vinyl on indoor signs unless special colors or a high gloss finish is desired.

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Brad Farha, owner
Farha Signs
Beckley, WV
304-252-3778
farhasigns@citynet.net

Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :

Hi Wayne,

We use both, just depends on what we are doing. On stuff like banners, dirt track stock cars, and temporary construction site signs, there is no reason to use premium vinyl. Also for inside displays where exposure to the sun isn't a factor.

For truck lettering and any other permanent stuff, we always use premium, usually combined with paint, either in color panels or lettering. Intermediate red is particularly bad about looking bad in short order.

We have recently started using MacTac's 8300 series "MacCal" or "SignStar" as it is also known, in place of the intermediate were using before. They advertise it as a 3 to 7 year, premium, calendered vinyl. OK... ???.
I guess only time will tell, but so far it seems to be doing a good job as an intermediate. It has a really nice gloss finish, weeds extremely well, and sticks down really tight with with Rapid-Tac II.

Jerry Mathel
Jerry Mathel Signs
Grants Pass, Oregon
sings@grantspass.com

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Posted by Louis A Lazarus (Member # 763) on :

Wayne, why take the chance unless the sign only needs to last for a year or so? The difference in material cost is not worth the cost of the labor if you have to replace the sign. If it's any help, we tell our customers that we only use the premium vinyl because it really isn't worth skimping on their sign. There are times when low cost vinyl will do, but if it's for outdoors...use the best, tell your customer it's the best material money can buy and even though nothing lasts forever...his sign will give him many extra years of service over the lower grade vinyl.

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Louis A. Lazarus
Milt's Sign Service, Inc.
20 So. Linden Ave. #5B
650-588-0490
fontking1a@aol.com

Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :

Hi Heads,

We also use a mix of Spar-Cal premimum vinyls and Spar-Cal Promo.

Vehicle leasing companies know that most of their customers will upgrade to a new vehicle every 3-4 years. I have noticed the majority of my customers doing the same thing.

In view of that, I use Promo first...then the premimums if I need the wider range of color.

With Edge Prints.... Gerber would like you to use Premimum vinyls even though the Edge print is only good for 2-4 years. I disagree with Gerber on that issue. If the print won't hold up, it don't make much sense to use an 8 year vinyl.

have fun!

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Go Get 'Em..... :)
AKA Raptorman on #Letterheads mIRC Chat
Draper The Signmaker
Bloomington Illinois USA

Proud 2-yr. $upporter of this Web Site (May 1999-May 2001)

Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :

I use the 5 year 2.5 mil on the majority of the work I do, It's high gloss, fairly thin. Although I do use premium on some vehicles and other permanet signs. Metallics, I use premium. Most signs won't see more than 5 years of use. I bought a roll of cheap black cast for patterns and interior signs. Did you know you can do paper signs with vinyl, trim the transfer tape tight to you design and squeege just the letters not the tape, if the letters are small, burnish with your finger.

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Robert Thomas Creative Signs In Beautiful Naples, Fl.

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