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I have my first full wrap to start and quote. Its going on a jeep for a realtor. I'm sure he will go for it. Does anyone have any simple advice on set up and fees for this. I have a Summa DC3 that only uses 2 mill H.P. vinyl. I figure to take a picture of the vehicle, then lay the images on in full size so it can be paneled with overlaps. I told him $15 per S.F. already. Is 100 d.p.i. at full size the right setting. Thats one Big file! Any other "tips" for the first time? Does he supply pictures or should I include a photographer in the Set up Fee. ($400) ???? thanks in advance. . ...John
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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I just started my first...a bus. I had another sign shop print it. The first piece that we put up was 28" x 13'. The printer used that Avery E-Z vinyl. It has little tiny holes in it and it lets the air out easily. It was easy to work with and stretched really good.
I take a pic of the vehicle and then re-create it all in Corel. Then measure everything..space between windows, height from bottom of window down to bottom of vehicle, etc. Keep in mind that any ridges that you have to go over will take up vinyl so make it longer or higher accordingly.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Hiya John, Congratulations of your first wrap. You'll discover that it's a love/hate relationship with this work. We normally bill $125 an hour for raster design work. If you buy a block of development time, 8 hours, we'll knock it down to $100 an hour. Any imaging, photo shoots, etc. are an additional charge - our cost plus 30-40% mark up. I'm not familiar with your printer, so I can't comment on your settings. However, we do finish our files at 100 d.p.i. For murals, our average file size is 500 megs. Some files can reach a gig or more. When you're laying out the design, work with low resolution files. It makes life a lot easier if the client makes changes. Once you have an approved design and signature, you work at full size. Try not to lay anything that's registration sensitive, text , photos, etc. around curners or sharp curves. Take your time and observe how the materials feel & work. Your first wrap will probably take you twice as long as expected, but once you get the experience, the jobs will go a lot quicker. Keep the vehicle in the shop and keep it cool. A hot surface can trash a graphic real quick.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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John, I've heard that e-z vinyl is the greatest thing since sliced bread!! I saw a demo of a similar 3-m product and they litterly threw it on the substrate, and every bubble dissapeared like magic.
I'd love to know if you like your DC3. I'm looking into a printer purchase, and they look very appealing. Good luck with the wrap.
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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SueLynn, I am working with the Avery E-Z now on a partial vehicle wrap. It is wonderful to work with. You don't pre-masked, bubbles escape easily, and it stretches really good. I just wish that it came in other colors.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura, what do you mean in other colors? Does the Avery E-Z Vinyl come in white so you can print on it. Or is it a colored vinyl unprintable?
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Used Arlon pro fleet for last wrap (our second) night & day difference. The fact that its repositionable and bubbles seemingly skate out of it makes it well worth the price.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
posted
Seems everyone is jumping on the vechicle graphics bandwagon, so here I am.
I am working on my first vehicle wrap too. I would use either the Avery EZ vinyl or 3M, but I am just wondering what kind of lamination would be the best for these vinyls.
I am printing on a Versacamm, and my supplier is recommending ClearShield VG water-based coating. The testing results I have looks great. But I've heard that liquid lamination tends to crack or flake over time. I am wondering if this is true, then what kind of lamination would use. thanks.
-------------------- Peter Xing peter@wonderfulgraphics.com Wonderful Signs & Graphics 55 Chrystie Street New York NY 212 431 5957 Posts: 43 | From: New York NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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I was told by the company printing the graphics that it only comes in white. Sometimes we do other big jobs with lots of rivets or bends. I was hoping to alll the other colors in case I didn't want to do a print job.
I am a little concerned about a few things. My gaphics were printed on, I believe a SolJet. This company does this all the time and ships all over the world. They were recommended by one of our vendors. I have noticed that the ink will rub off, even after frog juiced. Iam really concerned about around the gas tank. I am afraid that the ink will come off if gas drips on it.
I have REALLY enjoyed installing the graphics and want to do it more and more. It really neat when the other bus drivers and workers keep bringing people in to see it while we are working on it. Fri. the previous bus garage manager was up from Tenn. and pretty soon other employees were bringing him into the back room to show them.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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If they are using a soljet, chances are that they are using the Avery SEM 1005EZ. Yes, that particluar vinyl only comes in white and it is real good stuff. Suggested lamination for vehicles would be the Avery DOL 1000 cast laminate.
Avery does offer the adhesive on other vinyl such as A8, but with the SEM, it only comes white. It's a "Solvent Enahanced Media", meaning made for a solvent printer. And 99.9% of the printers use white vinyl.
This particluar vinyl has also been "discontinued" by Roland. In reality, Avery still makes it, but it's sold through the Roland name now as PGEZ, premium gloss EZ adhesive.
-------------------- Bruce Evans Crown Graphics Chino, CA graphics@westcoach.net Posts: 912 | From: Chino, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
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