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I do embroidery and textile screenprinting. I am just getting started in signs and vehicle graphics. I have lots of customers that want lettering on their trucks. The first job I did was a script font with shadows on a Kenworth tractor. It came out well and my customer was pleased. I also have a fuel tanker trailer to put a huge logo on.
The help I need is good brands of and where to buy: Auto prep or solvent for cleaning Rolls of pinstriping Window tint squegees fine line tape
And any words of widsom for a newbie.
Thank you
-------------------- Ronda Neb Custom Imaging 912 Denver Ave. Fort Lupton, CO 80621 Posts: 20 | From: Fort Lupton, CO | Registered: Jan 2006
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Hiya Ronda, Your first stop should be the Merchants page. Most of the supplies that your looking to purchase are there. From there, just about anything goes. I would recommend a visit to the resident sign-up page so you can get your picture next to your name. The search feature of this website is also a link to a wealth of information that is matched by none. Good luck and welcome aboard.
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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In addition to what Checkers said above, I'd try to get to a Live Letterhead meet held at various places around the globe each year. I'm sure you'll be amazed once you go to one and I have always learned a lot at each event.
You can look for upcoming events on the main Letterhead.com web page. Then just click on the Future Meets link on the left.
A letterhead meet WILL change your life. I have been to two of em, and it not only helps you to "keep the craft" but will put you in contact with a phenominal group of sign makers. This network is beyond belief.
Also, after doing a search, feel free to post a question here, regardless of how silly it might seem.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3488 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hi Rhonda, & welcome. All above comments are spot on.
How big is this fuel tanker trailer logo, & what is it of, what is the substrate you're going to put it on, and have you tried that thing before...
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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How much do you plan on charging for the tanker job? Pricing is the first thing I would suggest you learn before you set a dangerous precident of being too low. Mighty hard to raise your prices if you set the bar to low.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
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Also listed in merchants area are the Percells, who run Letterville Sign Supply, very reliable folks, friendly and willing to take some time and talk product to a newbie, that would be my suggestion as to source of products to work with. I do question your experience in task you're fixing to perform and that brings up my piece of advice one could lay on you that will do the most to help you now and in the future..."Don't bite off more than you can chew!!!" Truck doors are one thing, a tanker body is quite another, lots of different factors come into play when completating doing such a large format...are you close to those that do this professionally? That would be my next suggestion and that's to hire out what you don't know how to do and then bring it back and do your touch and customer will benefit in the longrun, which is object of entire excersise...
Anyways, welcome aboard, fun place, enjoy, lots of talent and good ppl.
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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Thank you for all of the input. As a matter of fact I "Fred" for the get together in Oklahoma City. I will be attending that one in March.
I have this really bad habit of doing some of the hardest things first, then everything else seems easy!!!
As for the tanker, My friend owns it, they will take it and get it acid cleaned for me, then I can do what I need. The logo is (and I am guessing because I have not measured yet) 3' high by 5 - 6" long. It is a red arrow with the name of the company in blue 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the arrow. A conoco logo and "Mobil petroleum". I can do it all or just the main logo. Basically, they are letting me "practice" on their tanker. I thought it wounded like a good way to practice. Your thoughts?
Thanks again for the responses, I'm sure you will hear from me again.
-------------------- Ronda Neb Custom Imaging 912 Denver Ave. Fort Lupton, CO 80621 Posts: 20 | From: Fort Lupton, CO | Registered: Jan 2006
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I emailed Fred in Oklahoma City, and will attend that meet.
The other thing I forgot to address, pricing.
I know my overhead, I have the estimate software. But sometimes that isn't right either. Any advise on pricing would be wonderful. I realize it depends on the market area also. For an example, I called 4 different places surrounding my town and got quoted for the exact job I did on the Kenworth. They ranged from $160 to $800. (The high end one was sign-o-rama) I did 2 color company name, VIN and DOT numbers on both doors and the unit number on the nose. (He also told me to but my logo on the back, so of course I did!!!
Thanks again for the help.
-------------------- Ronda Neb Custom Imaging 912 Denver Ave. Fort Lupton, CO 80621 Posts: 20 | From: Fort Lupton, CO | Registered: Jan 2006
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Ronda be very careful on the vinyl you use with petroleum products. Do your research on the life of the product you use around pet. products. It might come back and bite you in the as..... if you don't. Go for it and LOL.
-------------------- Cynthia Pack 246 Diamondview Loop Galax, Va. 24333 Posts: 659 | From: Galax, Virginia USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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