Howdy again ~ So. I now own the 'sign painting' business from the gal who moved south. This is all good. Doing fine with that end. It's the customer who asked me for vinyl for his modest 'fleet' of vehicles whose got me stumped.., I don't own, and cannot afford to own right now -a plotter & any & all other hi-tech equipment for the vinyl end of sign business. I don't even know what the term 'weeder' means - unless it has something to do with my garden... So I explain to the customer - that I know nothing about that stuff, and don't own the equipment. But - I can order the things already cut for him, bla blah blahh..., He - who I might add is a very nice guy - seems to want very much for 'me' to be able to make the $$ for these things. I don't know why - maybe it's cuz he's known me for years..., maybe it's cuz he knew i had a bad year in 2000 (a take-everything fire, a big layoff, a ruptured brain aneurysm, coupla brain surgeries...) and feels a bit sorry for me and knows I could use the $$..., maybe it's because he feels I need to be challenged..., maybe he thinks I have too much time on my hands..., maybe who the hello knows!!! Maybe none of the above! For whatever reason - he wants me to do this! He explains and shows to me how the last sign guy cut the vinyl by hand, with exacto's & such, and used pre-cut letters & such, and put it all on a magnet that he cut (poorly) by hand..., that I should check into doing that for him and give him a price. It's a relatively simple logo - except for some of the lettering which gets a bit smaller. And I would love to do this!!! I would love to learn, would love to be able to handle this part of it for this guy, have a steady hand, can afford a roll or two of vinyl (not a clue as to which kind of the multitudes of kinds I see out there in Vinyl-World!), and some sharp knives & such.. Okay. So - Is this do-able? Has anyone else done this? I've got the book 'Vinyl Graphics How To Manual" ordered.... but in the mean time - any advice, tips, helps, suggestions, etc would be so greatly appreciated!! Keepin' my toes crossed! ~~~Lorna~~~
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
Its been done lorna, but I would advise not going that route. Cutting by hand is a little meticulous,and when involving small letters, almost impossible. You can check with some of our merchants on the merchants page, or go to gregory as they offer vinyl graphics at good prices. If he definitely wants them done in vinyl, thats his choice, but dont let him talk you into something thats easier done another way, such as ordering the graphics. Hope you work it out.
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Hi Lorna, congratulations to your new business. We used to cut tons of vinyl letters by hand, just before plotters became available, but if you set a value to your time, you'll see that you're still better off ordering the lettering. The logo is a different story. Anything "custom made" will cost more if you have to get someone else to do it. For vehicle lettering you should use what is called "cast" vinyl, in 2mil thickness. The term "high performance" is also used, but sometimes misleading. Check out the suppliers, some sell vinyl by the yard. Hope this helps.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
GREETINGS FROM SUNNY MICHIGAN
Hey, we started the same way you did. Give us a call, maybe we can help. rick@vitalsignsandgraphics.com 231-652-3300
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Lorna, the price of some signs has actually come down in the last 15 years, and that's not taking into consideration the rise in the cost of living. Doing vinyl letters by hand is a tough way to make a living. Some sign people that do only vinyl signs will talk badly about paint, some that do only paint will talk badly about vinyl. The one to ask is someone that sells both. I do mostly paint, but some vinyl. What I tell people is to use paint only when you have to. There once was more of a "sign man" concept, that is, a customer would say "Oh he's our sign man" (or lady). Meaning that they would buy most if not all their signs from that one person or business only. Sometimes I make a vinyl sign just for that purpose, to keep a good client from becoming familiar with another sign co. Point is, a computer is really beneficial. I bought a used one, probably 12 years ago. I was single, and did alot of window splashes to get the money. Bought it cash, no debt. I drove an older ford,(nice metalic paint, at least!) and wore thrift store clothes. I lived in extremely modest housing, since I was never there. (too busy painting and fishin'. Carried a pole with me always. Even got "paid" to go fishing once. It can be done, check out what "splash" is. Sincerly, Jim.
