The Letterville BullBoard: Tips and tricks for June 2001

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Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :

Re: Easier Registration for multi color decals

Most know about using small triangle shapes as registration marks for multi colored decals. Each color contain the same triangles, and after premasking, you cut out the triangles on all colors EXCEPT the first one you lay down.

This tip may be old hat for some of you, but I just figured it out so here goes. Rather than CUT OUT those triangles on the other color copies, when trimming your premasked decal, cut THROUGH the triangles somewhere, much like cutting of the tip of each one like you trimmed too closely.

Now, when you overlay the colors, you just align the triangles. It's faster, easier, and more accurate than cutting out those dang little shapes. Why did it take me 10 years to figure that out?!?

Attempt to place the triangle registrations on the outer edges of your graphic if you do this so you don't have to hack up the middles of your decals.

Got any new tips to share from your shop?

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Graphic Impact
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
gisigns@sprint.ca

Posted by Karen Tighe (Member # 1541) on :

Thanks Donna.
(Its sort of similar to dressmaking.

)

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Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, art is knowing which ones to keep - Scott Adams cartoonist

Karen Tighe,
Strandhill,
Sligo in the Wild Wet West of Ireland.

mIRC = cafe_cruiser

Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :

speaking of registration tips/tricks...

back in the days when i was a printer, doing four-color jobs, we had something called pin registration. basically, its a hole punch and a metal plate with a raised "dot" (bump) the same size as the punch. you align everything, tape (or clip) together, then punch through all the sheets. the same system could work well for multi color vinyl projects (you'd just punch a plastic tabstrip or something). has anybody tried this? the nice thing about it is that you line up the holes and they stay in place (once you slip them over the little stud). maybe its more complex than ones needs though... (just an idea...)

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:: Scooter Marriner ::
:: Coyote Signs ::
:: San Francisco ::
:: don't blame me... i'm just a beginner
::

Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :

Hi Heads

Here is another for digital graphics when alinging sections ( lets say Edge prints that are 11.8 inches in height and you are doing 3 high, as in a 34 inch x 60 inch image.

Flip one section of the printed graphic over face down

plull back the tracking paper along the edge and slice off about 1/2 inch off. ( so the Edge graphic is hanging over the edge of the tracking paper with a 1/2 inch of sticky exposed.

place the first section where it needs to go, slide it around into position as the 1/2 inch of sticky wont hinder your placement.

Tack the edge down then remove the rest of the track paper. Squeegee into submission.

Do the same with the next section and the third section. This will allow you to perfectly align each section with out using application tape over the graphic to stiffen it.

Works fer me!

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Draper The Signmaker
Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there!
309-828-7110
drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat

Posted by Brian Stoddard (Member # 39) on :

Thats a great tip dave, its always the simple things that make it easier, that would also prevent any stretching along the vertical seam.
Heres something that a guy showed me once when I was just starting out. When putting transfer tape on long graphics use and empty vinyl tube to push against the roll of tape after you get it started about a foot or so. Just push with your palms evenly and let it turn. I do this every day and it works great on those long runs. With big letters or graphics I will also use a tube to squegee down the tape by just rolling it back and forth with down pressure, it would not work with little letters since there is not enough surface area to grab on to - they need the old squeegee. This makes big stuff real quick and easy.

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Brian Stoddard
Expressions Signs
A few puddles east of Seattle

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