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I have a customer that wants a couple of magnetic signs to put on his vehicle and this is a first for me. He wants two 1' x 2' magnetic signs. Actually, I thought about ordering a couple extras making it a total of 4. Should I order a piece 1' x 8' and cut these myself and can I or just order four 1'x 2's. And what grade or thickness should I order and from whom? I am in san diego. Can I cut material with utility knife? Approximate how much cost for material? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Mike
-------------------- Michael Grant Mike Grant Signs 2140 Glasgow Ave. Cardiff, CA. 92007 mgrant@nethere.com Posts: 29 | From: San Diego, CA. | Registered: Aug 2004
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Hiya Mike, Check with your supplier to see how they sell their magnetic materials. Normally it's sold by the roll, and the typical roll is 24" x 10' or 25'. However, some distributors are starting to sell blanks too. The thickness of the material varies by the use and the manufacturer. A thickness of 25 to 30 mil is normally considered good for vehicles.
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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My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Montroy (1-800-733-1006) in San Diego sells 30 mil 24" wide magnetic material by the foot. Cheaper when you buy the full roll, and it won't go bad sitting on the shelf. They deliver five days a week, usually 2 runs a day.
Sign-Mart (1-800-533-9099) will sell half rolls, 24" x 25' for $56.95 - full roll $89.95 - by the foot is $4.00. Or you can buy it pre-cut to 12" x 24" with rounded corners for $3.29 per. They are located in Orange and deliver to San Diego on Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
When you order tell them it's because of Letterville and they should be here as a merchant and monitoring posts like these.
Bruce
-------------------- Bruce & Deb Newton Graphic Lettering San Marcos, CA Posts: 126 | From: San Marcos, CA | Registered: Sep 2001
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I talk more people out of magnetics than I sell. Most of them want permanent signs that can be removed down the road a year or two - and magnetics are NOT what they need. Make sure you tell them that they must remove and clean the vehicle surface as well as the back of the signs on a regular basis, or they might find that the signs will destroy the surface.
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Make sure what you get is the automotive quality, not the fridge-magnet quality which won't hold up on a car.
-------------------- "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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Let your customer know that if they don't remove them regularaly moisture can build up behind and cause rust on the vehicle doors. Also if they are not always on the vehicle store them flat. The side of a fridge is always good.
-------------------- Anne McDonald 17 Karnak Crescent Russley Christchurch 8042 New Zealand
"I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure" Posts: 877 | From: Christchurch | Registered: Sep 2006
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Speaking of magnetic signs...I just made 11 sets that are 12" X 24". What is the best way for my customer to store them until he uses them? The manufacturers pamphlet said not to store them magnet to magnet. Right now he has them stacked on top of each other. What is the best way to store them? Customer doesn't have the space to spread them out. Thanks, Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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You can buy Magnum Magnetic material either by the roll or by the foot from N. Glantz & Son. A 24˝" x 25' roll is just over $100 last time I bought one. It's about $2 a foot from Glantz. I sell at least two sets of 12"x24" mags a month. Do provide your customer with proper care instructions. (feel free to copy and paste mine)
quote:Surface Preparation Make sure that both the surface where the magnet is to be applied and the plain brown magnetic side of the sheet are free of moisture, dirt, dust & foreign particles. Avoid use on non-metallic body fillers, simulated wood grain siding or repainted surfaces and new vehicle finishes which contain uncured paint.
In car and truck sheet applications it is recommended that the vehicle be well waxed and some rare applications may require the use of simple baby powder on the plain brown magnetic side for best results.
Magnetic Sheet Application Before applying the magnetic sheet, make sure it has been allowed to warm to room temperature. The temperature of the metallic surface should be above freezing but not hot.
To apply, allow one edge of the magnetic sheeting to contact the metallic surface to the desired point. The remaining portion of the sheet should then be allowed to magnetically adhere itself to the magnetic surface.
To reposition the magnet do not attempt to pull it into place, this may cause stretching. Simply remove the entire magnetic sheet and again begin the procedure. It is important to make sure the magnetic sheet is applied in a smooth, lay-flat fashion.
Avoid sharp contours and do not attempt to position the magnetic sheet over vehicle mouldings or chrome strips. The entire magnetic sheet must be well adhered to the metallic surface to avoid any air pockets.
Maintenance & Cleaning It is common for moisture to collect between the magnetic sheet and the magnetic surface. It is most important that the magnetic sheet be removed at least once a week (less often in winter as magnetic may tear) and both the metallic surface and the magnetic sheet be wiped free of moisture.
Extra caution should be exercised with new vehicle finishes. Failure to do so may result in damage to metallic surface or loss of the magnet sheet at highway speeds. For cleaning, use a soft cloth, warm water and a mild detergent.
Storage To protect the magnetic sheet from damage while not in use, store on any metallic object such as a fridge or toolbox. This ultimately will be of help when the time comes to re-attach the magnetic sheet. Do not leave in a hot vehicle as warping may occur.
Jill’s Custom Signs is not responsible for replacement of lost or stolen magnetic signs.
I charge $99/set. Bear in mind that Kinkos sells these for about $30/set. I do try to upsell shaped mags, or permanent vehicle lettering, but I'm not too proud to sell magnetic signs. love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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curious about something. If they aren't supposed to be stored magnet on top of magnet, then how is that different from the roll of magnetic material where it is wrapped around itself?
I recently bought a roll of material from my regular supplier and customers are complaining they are falling right off their cars. I have to find out now if their cars are composit (less steel in the doors) or if my material is not magnetized enough.
In reading online I came across this website: www.razormagnetics.com ... reads like hype and only 15mil thick, but they guarantee it for 365 days and tested it on a Ferrari. I called to ask some questions and got a woman with a very thick accent who was only there to take my order and not answer questions. She said I'd have to email the company itself.
-------------------- Sharon O'Brien-Lykins HorseDesigns.Com PO Box 1898 Penn Valley CA 95946 horsedesigns@gmail.com Posts: 43 | From: Penn Valley, California | Registered: May 2005
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I do a fair amount of magnetic signs too. Another thing to warn the customers about is cold weather. Here in New England, I've seen magnetic signs get so cold and brittle in the winter that they break if accidentally dropped!
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