A customer called and asked if I could do some sort of stencil job on a flag for her husband. Here's the deal. He is in boot camp with the state police. He and his squad have to run(jog). When they run they have to carry a flag with there squad logo on it. They had one made but it is way two heavy. They need something much more sheer. I told her I did not know if I could help her. She needs it in four weeks. I told her to give me two days to research and find out if anything is possible.The flag has four or five colors and is two sided. 2'x3' ANY SUGGESTIONS...THANKS
Posted by Karen Stein (Member # 241) on :
Hi Rob, Just a thought... Could you use nylon banner fabric for this job? I'm not sure about what to sandwich in between so it can be 2 sided (possibly a dark cotton fabric?)That should make it extremely lightweight.
Karen
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
Hopefully someone here will give you a better suggestion, but here goes anyway.
Go to your local fabric store and pick up something light and durable. Your spouse may be your ally in that she probably knows more about fabric than you do.
I used a cotton about the weight of trouser material. If I did it again I think I would use dacron.
Now you sew it up like a pillowcase - inside out, then reverse it and iron it. You can now add a stitch around the outside edge to help hold the shape. Now close up the remaining dimension with a hem for grommets or a pole pocket. Many dry cleaners have seamstresses who can do this for you - the same people who repair pockets and put on buttons.
Your local arts and crafts store will also have rubber paints designed for use on fabrics. In my case I put the sketch on in pencil and did it like a paint by number.
Mine looked pretty good considering I sewed, ironed, and painted it myself.
I have no idea how long this flag would last in continuous service outdoors.
If you know a fabric screenprinter, that might be a better way other than getting killed on the setup for one piece. I don't know if you can hand paint with printers inks.
The little light bulb overhead just lit up - they make dacron for ink jet printers - print two pieces with UV ink on dacron and sew them together.
Let us know how you do it. Vic G
Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
I deal with a guy locally who makes custom flags usually nylon, these folks have been making flags and shipping all over the counrty for 50 years, real professional stuff, let me know if you want his # or email...
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Just maybe the flag could be made of Nylon, regular 3x5 even, but the smaller size is also available for purchase at the flag suppliers (Eder/Nabco..) They are hemmed, grommetted, have the webbing along the left side for attaching to the pole. Then, maybe, the client could be talked into a single face job because the flag is practically transparent and waves constantly when in motion. Then use DacEze (from Advertising Ideas, or another name from Creative Banners) which is a fabric that comes in a number of base colors, and is VERY sticky designed for Nylon applications. You can cut the stuff with your plotter, weed it and treat it like vinyl. I apply it and then iron it on with light heat. Lasts just fine outdoors.
Posted by Gregory (Member # 900) on :
The ColorCamm prints on heat transferable materials, so does the edge I think. Depends on what material you use for the flag.
ps: I have a colorcamm but no heat press. if I can help call or email me.
Posted by Randy W. Robarge (Member # 2022) on :
Advertising Ideas also has SubliCloth, which I believe is similar to DacEze, but can be sublimated. Perfect for multi-color applications. I'm waiting for a response from Adv. Ideas to see if SubliCloth can be plotter cut. If so, it sounds like a very versatile material, excellent for something like a flag. You could actually sublimate the material and just heat set it into a blank nylon flag. I don't think weight would be a problem.
If you want to give it a try, I'll be more than happy to sublimate the logo on the material for you.
Please let us know what happens.
Randy
Posted by kevinlandry (Member # 1352) on :
Dye sublimation is probably the answer. We are stuck at at 11.75 by 15 inches for graphic sizes. Flag material for a 2 x 3 is simple. For double sided. Cut 3 2 x 3 panels Sublimate the graphics on two panels. Sew the three together with a loop for the pole.
Voila one flag, suitable for mud, blood, sun or rain. If you design the flag so that the graphic fits in parts rather than one I can help. I have the heat press and the printers.
Kevin Landry KnL Signs Halifax NS
Posted by Roy Somers (Member # 403) on :
We made a huge banner to go on the side of a building being renovate and it was quite heavy. The building contractor had his banner up and it was almost as large. He had it made out of the material that Ballons are made of (hot air or helium)and it was very light.If you are looking for light weight give this a try. You can't get much lighter.It is also very strong. Don't know what the material actually is though.
