this is an hours sign for a tattoo shop that i just finished. i decided to try out hdu, i've made many of my previous signs from mdf but they were for interior use. cut out the shape with a jig saw , added a routed border, sprayed it with black one shot, and hand painted all the lettering with one shot. not really sure if i like using the hdu but maybe i'll come aorund the more i use it. i spent a lot of time on it and can't charge for near the amount of hours i spent on it but i tried some new things and learned alot, and i'm happy with the finished product so i don't mind. just out of curiosity what would you folks charge for something like this? it measures about 15"x18" 3/4" hdu... Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
The sign looks great Matt. Cool color combo and striping. I can see you spent a lot of time on the piece.
In my experience HDU is generally used for dimensional work. Its generally blasted, carved or routed. As it has no grain that is where the benefits come into play. I've never thought of using HDU for a flat sign as it would be cost prohibitive and too much work to prep to make it worth while in my view.
-grampa dan
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
I agree with Dan, Matt. HDU is usually used for a dimensional sign, like sandblasted or even routered out letters. That is why it is so expensive. For a flat sign like that, I would use MDO signboard.
Your stripes look nice, & your lettering is really good too! Nice sign!
Posted by Michael R. Bendel (Member # 5847) on :
The sign looks great.
Took hours? If it's a one dimensional sign, you would need to speed up the process a bit.
I'm glad you learned a lot on this project, do you bill the customer for that? Probably not a good idea.
I suggest pricing 1-1.5 hours shop rate + materials for this particular sign.
Nice lookin sign!
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Looks great Matt! The only thing that bothers me is the M-T. I know its Monday to Thurs but it isn't clear that its Mon- Thurs. (could be Mon- Tues) And I shouldn't have to look twice at it. I should be able to glance at the sign and have the message of the sign immediately. I like the colours, I like the shape, you did an excellent job on the hand painting, but to me the initial intent of the sign is not clear. And it should be. Awesome job though- if that's your first effort you are going places mister!
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
I'm with the others on this, I'd do the job on Dibond. Now what you might consider next time is using some HDU to cut and route a frame for the sign. I think it would up the look a lot. The nice thing about HDU is you can piece it and glue it together with out using too much material. The design and lettering are great. I went to your website and enjoyed looking around. Your work is has a refreshingly, unique character to it and, as I remember seing a lot of the signs there before, is very memorable. Keep posting your work, it is always inspiring to see signs with a different flair.
Posted by Matt Minjares (Member # 4685) on :
thanks for the input and compliments everyone... i decided to keep this one kinda simple, that's why it doesn't have much dimension. i'm not that familiar with the different substrates used for signs so i'm still learning which one is best for which application. the main reason it took me a while is that i'm not that fast with a brush yet and yellow doesn't like to cover up black so i had to do a couple of coats. i'm working on the speed thing, the signs are just side work for me right now until i'm a little faster. the M - T thing didn't even cross my mind, i was trying to get everything symmetrical, but now i see how that could be a problem. thanks again!
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Wow, Matt, I didn't look at your website!!!! I LOVE your signs!!! If I were that grocer, I would be so proud to have your work hanging in my store! Looks like they came right out of the old days!
Posted by Stephen Faulkner (Member # 2511) on :
Matt is 98 in a 28 year old body.... he drives OLD cars too......
Posted by Matt Minjares (Member # 4685) on :
hey geet!... what can i say? i was born in the wrong decade, stop in and say hello if you ever make it to this side of town... thanks bobbie, the grocer is my day job. i took in one sign i painted, they loved it, and now the whole store is covered in my signs...
