I was wondering if anybody uses any software for stripe packages... Does anyone know of some good software, I want to make my own, I have an edge so I'd like to be able to do full color and special effects as well. Yes I already do some packages but lately I have a lot of inquiries. I have a brochure on Aurora Graphics out of Kansas, anyone familiar with them? Thanks
Posted by Lettercraft (Member # 268) on :
I've been using VECTOR graphics.....www.rolanddga.com Lots of graphics and pinstripe designs. If you're able to mask bitmaps with your existing software, you can do some outrageous designs with VECTOR.
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
Hi Neil,
I have Vector Arts from long ago, but much prefer Dave's stuff ( Aurora Graphics ). I just got an update from him, I have Volumes 1-5, maybe time to buy 6 & 7, dollar is pretty strong for us just now though.
I often pick stretch weld and generally mix and match his stuff. Since changing computers to Win 2000 I have had problems posting pics but will try and show some examples later.
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Hi Neil
ND GRAPHICS distributes AURORA GRAPHICS products in Canada...GREAT PRODUCT! Only takes a couple of jobs to pay for itself.
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Neil, you say you want to do your own, why not do just that? Make up your own designs. I've got a couple of Vector CD's and I'm pretty familiar with Aurora and some of the others, nice stuff all of it, the only problem is you see it all the time:( The key to good graphics is individuality. I've seen some of this stuff used to death. Designing your own stuff is not all that hard. Color useage is another area to concentrate on. I've seen a gazillion ready made packages using airbrushed fades but I've yet to see one use anything other than white and black for the airbrushed effects. What's up with this?
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
I agree with George although I find Daves collection quite a good start point, you can always scan something you have done and combine it with a CD file.
Where I find these libraries help is in boosting a small job of a business name on the side of a van to a bigger job with a lift to the whole job, especially if you add a shadow to an existing stripe or shape and then colour code it to link it to the customers logo or in contrast to the vehicle colours. Works well here.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yes George I do at times do my own designs, and I do have a couple of Roland's CD's, but I find that they are outdated. Just trying to speed things up with some good Cd's. Seems like there's a lot of kids wanting stripes, and they like to look at samples. I usually take a shot with my Digital Camera and then design around the Car, Much the same as I do with lettering, I'm just getting lazy I guess. Thanks for your advice everyone.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Neil, I do all my own designs, all the other stuff just looks too much alike.
Any idle time I have I use for doodling new designs, including time that I hit a block working on a different project. My latest stuff is getting real hard and edgy, lots of flames and tribals with a lot of interweaving and sharp corners.. this is the kinda stuff I get alot of requests for and it's also some of the easiest stuff to make!
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
One of the things that impresses me, when I see the work I consider original, by the people I consider innovators, is the fact that the striper took the added time to consider the application. Yes, you can buy packages and make modifications to the included designs, add color and masks. They will be good commercial jobs, if you don't spend more time modifying, than you would have designing from scratch. The job that stands out will be the one where you spent your time designing for the vechicle rather than showing someone a disk full of designs.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Santo, that's actually how I start alot of my designs.. I use photos of the vehicles - trucks, cars, jetskis mostly - for inspiration and design around the features on the vehicle.
I can then add that design to my library for use on other vehicles or make it a vehicle-specific kit.. Here's a few examples.. all are created in CorelDRAW as single color vectors then Photoshop'd for color and web-friendliness.
Yamaha SuperJet:
Yamaha GP1200R:
Kawasaki 750 SXi:
My truck: Posted by Bruce Evans (Member # 44) on :
Hey Mike, very cool. What method are you producing those? digital, or cut, airbrush and then peel?
I think we need a step by step Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Bruce, I cut 'em on a plotter then airbrush 'em... quick and easy, very profitable.. Having the artwork ready to go really boosts the profit margin cause it cuts down on so much time burned layin out the graphics. That's why I like doing my own designs.. I'd burn MORE time tryin to get someone else's design to look right, and it still wouldn't trip my trigger.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Mike...I like the stuff on the jet skis but...
I'd love to see a step by step on how you do those "real flames" on your truck, on vinyl!!!
I know that Mike Lavalee inovated that style a while back, but he does it directly on vehicles. If you have any advice on paint materials you use, vinyl you use, airbrush you prefer. Any advice on what problems to avoid. Just curious Mike.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Dave, where do ya think I got the idea?
Basically, if you've seen the step-by-step Mike Lavellee did in Airbrush Action, I mimmicked that, just using vinyl instead of a vehicle.
I've done it a couple ways so far... the first time I started with sunflower yellow vinyl, used a deep red for fading the edges of the flame tendrils and white with a little yellow mixed in to "warm" it up for the flame's hot spots. This didnt work out as planned (took me much longer than expected to lay out the color right) but it was acceptable. Sold the kit for $800 - it was about the same size as the graphics in my truck pic - about 2'x10'.
The second time, I started with white vinyl.. used yellow paint to fill in the flame tendrils, deep red to fade the edges.. white with a little yellow for the hot spots - using a little yellow in the white paint makes it warmer, less harsh than plain white.. this worked out better and took me less time. Sold this kit for $1200 - it was an overall size of 2'x10' on both sides of a truck.. Frankly, I'm surprised someone actually has that kinda money to lay out for a stinkin' vinyl kit. I dont think even I'd spend that kinda cash.
The next time I do it.. and I just might do it for the fun of it.. I'm gonna try it on clear vinyl instead and spray on the white base. The first two have hard edges obviously where the vinyl stops.. I'd like it a little more realistic looking so spraying over clear would allow that to be done with achieving a softer edge.
Posted by Christian (Member # 66) on :
Hi guys Some really great sources are being overlooked for striping graphics. GBC Sign Warehouse (www.signwarehouse.com), OCA Enterprises www.onlineclipart.com, and Beacon Graphics (www.signmaking.com) are all great places to find graphics... Good Luck Christian (The DAL Guy)
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
This seems like a great time to introduce our newest Letterville Merchant.
We're very pleased to have VectorArt join us. Owner, Andrew Holmes, offers Letterville users a 10% discount and invite you to visit the VecorArt website at www.vectorart.com
Vector Art's new MEGA COLLECTION includes 6,538 images by sign artists like "Tramp" Warner, John Hannukaine, Steve Kafka, Russ Mowry, Mike Sheehan, Bob Bond, Julian "Mr.J" Braet, Brian "The Brush" Briskie, Bob Behounek, Karen Souza, and many others.
Before making any purchase, it's always smart to shop right here in Letterville. Many of the Merchants offer discounts and other incentives. Just click on the Letterville Merchants logo at the top, left of your screen or go to http://www.letterhead.com/suppliers/index.html
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