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Hiya 'Heads, I had a discussion with another signmaker I've been working with. We discussed why I (almost) always measure up from the bottom of a trailer when I'm applying graphics. I told him I had reasons, but I forgot why. Well, now I remember. Needless to say, not all trailers are square While applying graphics on a short (30') trailer, I broke my rule and decided to measure from the top while applying one graphics. While it looked straight when comparing it to the top edge of the trailer, it did not align to the remainder of the graphics I applied. Fortunately, it wasn't a very painful lesson to re-learn, but it was a good refresher.
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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Hi find that lettering Ford full-size panel vans have the same surprises if you measure from the top! Those crazy vans slope to the rear and the panel gets smaller! Imagine that. I learned that lesson years ago. I always measure from the raised middle center panel that runs the length of the van.
It's about 7 1/2" tall and you just lay your tape measure on the edge and go up from there.
It looks a little funny at the top rear of the panel but you have to look at the horizontal center of the van and not the top. Phone numbers or addresses, etc. usually go on the center panel unless your design covers it.
Chevy and Dodge vans are much straighter.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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Much respect Checker, but I have to disagree. Sorry Bud. That trailer must have been WAY, WAY out of square!
We measure down from the top drip cap in 3 spots then "eyeball" the line. I have never seen a drip cap off by more than an 1/8" from front to back.
Measure from top or bottom... whatever... but make sure your reference line is straight! Step back & look at your vinyl before application.
Trailer bottoms can, and are, screwed up too.
As far as the "tapering vans", we tape up the vinyl & visual to the dark horizon line under the vehicle & between the tires. It requires a shop space you can back away from.
Good luck
-------------------- Michael R. Bendel Bendel Sign Co,. Inc. Sauk Rapids, MN Posts: 913 | From: Sauk Rapids, MN | Registered: Jul 2005
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Yep, the Ford vans were a pain too for a while, but sticking with the belt line saves a lot of headaches. I always apply the door graphics slightly out of square when compared to the belt line though. IMHO, It just looks better.
Mike, you keep doing it your way if it works for you. In most cases, you'll be fine This job was an older trailer that tapered about 6" over the 30' and there was a lot of text on it. So, If I was use the top of the trailer as a guide for the entire installation, the text would have definitely looked out of whack when I got to the bottom - where the mis-alignment would be most obvious.
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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I measure from the drip cap too but I always trust the old mark one, mod zero eyeball.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Measuring is all fine and good, but not all trailers are brand new. It's not uncommon to get a measurement and have the lettering bowed (slightly arched). Plain old time and age can knock a trailer frame out of whack and your measurments with it.
Simple solution. Run a piece of 3/4 inch tape along you measurement marks. I prefer to measure from the top down as many trailers have double wheel wells and no way to get an accuarate mark over them.
Now stand at a corner of the trailer and look down the length of the tape. (Image #2) Any waves or bends in it will appear in a second. In this case, a simple lift and reposition of the end of the tape fixes it up.
Once you've got the tape in the right place, use it as a guide for the bottom or top of your letters. If you have a lot of text to run out on the line, you can position it in sections. Usually less involved than apping a long run and you can make minor corrections along the way.
Works with a chaulk snap line, too. Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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While applying graphics on a short (30') trailer, I broke my rule and decided to measure from the top while applying one graphics. While it looked straight when comparing it to the top edge of the trailer, it did not align to the remainder of the graphics I applied.
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