posted
Finally. I have got a vinyl cutter working. It's a 24" cutter & I need to cut some letters about 18 to 20 inches high. How do I cut several letters to go on the side of a box van and keep them all the same size? The side of the van is 14 ft long. I want to put C A R P E T P E D D L E R on each side of the truck. My experience is limited as you all know. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
-------------------- Robert Richards Southern Ad Specialties Carrollton, GA 770-830-1501 sasga2000@a0l.com Posts: 138 | From: Carrollton, GA | Registered: Sep 2002
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Usually there is some kind of program that will help you design what you want to cut. Then it will help u send it to the cutter.
Most companies that sell u a cutter will include some kind of software to get you going.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
I think I don't understand your question completely. Do you mean that you want all the letters to be the same height? Or do you want the length of each word to be the same?
Can you be more specific?
Also I have the same questions as Curtis.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Robert..We'd be happy to offer suggestions but your question is too vague.
What does "All the same size" mean? (same height or same width or both, obviously an "I" can't be the same width as a "W") Do you want the words to be all in one line or do you want to put one word above the other?
As an attempt at answering your question I'd just say type in the line of text, in all caps, select the letterstyle you want and hit "Cut".
Neither Curtis nor myself are trying to be wiseasses, just need more info.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
I apolgize Dave, I didn't mean to offend anyone. The words CARPET PEDDLER will be one word over the other. I can't find my manual that came with the software. The letters need to be about 18 to 20 inches high. The area for each word is about 24 inches by 14 ft. On my computer, how do I stretch the letters / words out that far. So far I have only done some 18 by 24 inch signs. Thanks for trying to help.
-------------------- Robert Richards Southern Ad Specialties Carrollton, GA 770-830-1501 sasga2000@a0l.com Posts: 138 | From: Carrollton, GA | Registered: Sep 2002
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Robert..What software are you using?..I can tell you how to do it in CorelDraw, others can tell you in Flexi, Signlab, Omega, Graphic Advantage, and all sorts of other programs.
You just aren't giving us much info to work with.
[ July 16, 2004, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
In Corel you change the page size to whatever size you're working with. For your example, it would be 24"x168". Then make the letters fit the new size, then send to plotter.
[ July 16, 2004, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: Jeff Ogden ]
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
ride up to commerce and i will teach you what i can.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Part of being inexperienced is not knowing what questions to ask. I am using the VE LXI software that came with the cutter. i think it's Flexisign.
-------------------- Robert Richards Southern Ad Specialties Carrollton, GA 770-830-1501 sasga2000@a0l.com Posts: 138 | From: Carrollton, GA | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
You are using Vinyl Express the same software that was sent with my first plotter.
It is easy to set-up and cut with, but as I am "typing impaired" and don't have the time I would need to type it out. call me and i would be happy to help you walk through it. my cell is 303-726-6513.
Mike
-------------------- Mike Milos PrintSation Banner D-Signs & Graphics 489 S. 13th Ave Brighton, CO 80601 303-726-6513 Posts: 50 | From: Denver, CO | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
Stretching lettering is considered a real no-no. You would be much better off to choose a typestyle that is extended already. Many fonts have different variations of the same letter (bold, condensed, extended, italic, etc) To take a regular letter and stretch it to twice its normal size distorts it terribly. All the vertical strokes of the letters get wider, and the horizontal strokes stay the same width.
I would advise you to find that manual in a hurry, or call and order a new one. You need to know what special features your software and your cutter has, and then learn to work with them.
Good luck!!
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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I reread your first post, and wanted to clarify. In this case, your word Carpet is only one letter shorter than Peddler. I would try to stretch the word Carpet slightly (not so much you can notice it different than peddler) and then slightly adjust the kerning (spacing) between each individual letter. You will have to play with it a bit to get it to look right.
I didn't mean that you should choose a totally different font for each word. I meant, choose a wide extended font when you are trying to fill in a wide space. Clear as mud???
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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posted
Robert...Sorry I can't help you out with info on Vinyl Express. BUT, I can tell you that if you were to drive over to Jimmy's place he can give you lots of pointers, even if he doesn't have Vinyl Express loaded on his computer.
The processes are all basically the same no matter what program you use, it is just a matter of actually seeing someone else doing things that teaches the best.
By the way....Jimmy is just the other side of Atlanta from you, about 100 miles. It would be well worth the drive.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3489 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hi Robert, you can find some good info on getting started on the sign warehouse website. It's geared toward someone who is new to vinyl. To answer your question, I'm assuming here that you know how to enter text since you said you've done some 18x24's.
VE LXI has what they call Design Central which has the parameters of whatever is selected. Once your word is typed, or before for that matter, you can set what font you'd like in Design Central. You can also adjust overall size, individual letter size, kerning, letter height on the line, the angle of the letters, line spacing, and alot more.
Since you'll be putting it on a vehicle, you should use high performance vinyl, premium cast 2 mil which is thinner than what you've probably been using so you'll need to adjust your plotter accordingly or you'll be cutting into the backing paper and making a mess for yourself. After adjusting, make some test cuts before starting with the big stuff.
I also was waiting for you to elaborate. I figured you had figured it out. You'll probably run into rivets on that truck, so do some searching here to see what might work for you.
posted
Many thanks to everyone for your suggestions & advice. That's why this board is so great and worth every penny it costs to be a resident. This is my first "real" job, so I am very cautious about doing it. The truck is an old bread truck, (box van type), no rivets, smooth sides. It nevers leaves the site, it stays parked by the road so it will be used as a billboard. It is a white truck and the customer wants red lettering. I'm trying to decide what font to use and like for it to have either an outline, shadow, or something so it doesn't look too plain.
-------------------- Robert Richards Southern Ad Specialties Carrollton, GA 770-830-1501 sasga2000@a0l.com Posts: 138 | From: Carrollton, GA | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
Hi Robert, we havn't met. I just wanted to chime in and say that it is invaluable to work in real scales and proportions whenever possible. Assuming your software will let you work full size, instead of starting with 20" tall letters, simply type the letters inside a rectangle the same size as your truck (If you have to work in scale, make it the same proportions at least), then enlarge it and arrange by eye till it's got a good margin of white space around it. Only then see how tall the letters are.
If they're not as tall as the client requested, it is often preferable to use another font than to do a lot of distorting to make them fit. Don't be surprised to find that only a 16" letter will work without being too crowded to the margins. Then you have the fun of convincing the customer that this 16" letter will look better, read better, and therefore SELL more than the 20 inchers he wanted. Back it up with comparison printouts and let him view them side by side from 10 feet away (also a great exercise for YOU to do during the design process).
Oh, my best advise for anybody now or old in layout is to work very small with paper & pencil first to rough out a couple different ideas. I could think of 3 or 4 right off the bat and it's easier to sketch than to manipulate type on arcs and such when the software is so foreign to you.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Richard, I hope I'm not getting too basic here - if I am just ignore me. I do most of my design work in Corel. This is by no means the best way, but if you are just getting started it is pretty simple. What I like to do is design with 1" equaling 1'. So if I want a design that is 12 feet long I will draw a box that is 12" wide. I'll then type in my text and enlarge it to fit the width. I then will adjust the height of the box untill it encloses the text. I can then do the math to figure out the height of my letters. Remember not to make the lettering too large. I know when I was getting started I made everything too big. I had virtually no space around anything, and when I see an old job I want to rip it down now. I think that's one of the biggest mistakes everyone makes when they are first getting started. I know how intimidating it can be to ask questions of people who have a lifetime experience, but a number of people have volunteered to help, so I'd email them a copy of what you come up with and ask for their suggestions to improve it. Not only will it help you learn, but it will improve your chances of getting references from that job. Welcome to the sign world, this is probably the best tool you will ever find for information. If you are a long time sign maker just getting into the computer age, please forgive my presumptions, you could probably give me a few pointers.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Kelly...As you might know I use Corel too. I am curious as to why you work in a "scale" situation?
Why not just work in full size to start with?
Since I cut from Corel my default page size is set to 22.99"H x 62'99"W (That corresponds to the default cutting area on my Roland. Expandable to virtually any length of course.)
That allows me tons of room to work on everything in full size.
Not being critical or anything, just curious.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
BUT, I can tell you that if you were to drive over to Jimmy's place he can give you lots of pointers, even if he doesn't have Vinyl Express loaded on his computer. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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