HI all. I just finished (& sold) this design to a nearby restaurant. I had planned to make the 2' x 6' sign out of either 1/2 -3/4" pvc or wood, but I'm thinking that for the size 3/4" wont be all that much dimension. I thought of putting some spacers between the base & lettering, but 2 problems: the sign is facing south (sun) & the font is too thin. I'm afraid if I cut letters out of pvc they'll warp in a heartbeat. What can I do? is there another thicker & stronger substrate? Thanks in advance guys.
------------------ Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico 787-889-6608
Posted by Shawn Setzer (Member # 426) on :
well i guess the first question would be how did you tell the customer you would make it and if your not to that point yet what is their budget???
------------------ Signs by Shawn 314-462-3317 kmccor01@mail.win.org
Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
Honestly? She gave me a check for $2K & told me to do whatever I wanted!! Man I love working for this lady!
------------------ Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico 787-889-6608
Posted by Brad Funk (Member # 1351) on :
For 2K i would spend the $300.00 on a sheet of 1" HDU.
It looks like an attractive sign, Felix. I'm guessing that you do not have a computer router and that you are hand cutting everything. If you go MDO, glue and screw two pieces of 3/4 MDO to yield a 1 & 1/2" thick sign. This will really enhance the look of the sign. The back piece does not have to be a single piece, or even go all the way across the back, unless you just want it that way for installation. You should be able to get the whole back out of a single sheet of MDO if you plan it right.
Do not make the letters out of MDO. We did the store right next door with MDO letters, and after a few years of hard sun, the paper on the face is curling up around the edges.
1/2" pvc can warp, but you don't see the kinds of problems with 1/2" that you see with 1/8". Someone else here may have different advice, but we have had very good luck with 1/2" pvc letters.
Keep us posted on what you do. Vic G
------------------ Victor Georgiou Bob Loves Signs Inc Danville, CA email blssign@pacbell.net
Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
Victor's way or HDU will certainly work, but my observation may be unwanted or unasked for. The original as on the screen looks fine, but I'm sure that when you blow it up to full size your copy is going to appear insubstantial at any distance. My advice is to keep the same configuration, but beef up the stroke widths. This will also strengthen your application. My .02 or less anyhoo............
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
Posted by Chuck Churchill (Member # 68) on :
Cut the letters out of black acrylic...3/8" then add sparkly gold vinyl (genlite or equivalent) on top to form the letter. The acrylic will be the black drop shadow. This thing will look like a million bucks if you do that. I take it is for a upscale restaurant.
------------------ Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945
Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
Thanks all for your responses! I really liked them because I see my mind was pretty much on track. I like the idea of the 2 mdo's together, because I could probably do a French hanger thingy to install it. I did consider the HDU, but it'll cost me almost $500 since it has to be a "special order" %$#@! Not many people use it here. Now, about the PVC lettering, I recently did a 1/2" pvc 2 layer lettering / contour job with fiber ops, but like I mentioned before it has no direct sunlight. There's another sign on that same building that's hit by the afternoon sun & it has warped considerably. This one would be hit by the sun all day.
Ok, you know what? I'm gonna go ahead & do just that. One more Q, though. Should I make the letters solid yellow or should I leave them how you see them, being 1/2" PVC painted black with some gold leaf vinyl? Its just a little something I'd like comments on. Thanks again in advance!
------------------ Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico 787-889-6608
