posted
I'm, for the first time doing Day/Night effect channel letters for a customer, for those who don't know what that is here's a 'coles notes' explanation: The customers letters are dark green and their store front is 100' from the main road and at night the drk green is not visible so, what we did was each channel letter was coated in drk translucent vinyl, but we cut 1/16" slots into the vinyl every 1/8" apart, so the effect is that of a shutter or slat board, so durring the day the letters appear to be green from a distance and at night when the lights come on the lights shines through the 1/16" slots in the vinyl and the letters shine white (the plexi colour) but, my questions is has anyone else here done this and if so, did you use the same measurements that I am using or is their a different method to achieve the same effect?
[ November 26, 2003, 05:41 AM: Message edited by: Chad Preseault ]
-------------------- Chad P. Preseault Ottawa, ON
Now Unemployed! Got a job for me? Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 18 | From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
You should speak to Mike McWilliams in our Ottawa office about 3M Light Management Films One that may be of particular interest is dual-color film. Cool stuff!
[ November 26, 2003, 08:35 AM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
While I think it's a neat idea, and may work ... I can see nothing but problems down the road doing it with vinyl. (particularly outdoors) An 1/8 inch isn't much surface for the vinyl ... it's gonna shrink (even slightly), don't care what brand. I'd worry about losing the little pieces in the serifs or a stripe here and there after a while. If you don't loose them, the gaps between will be great places to trap dirt.
Maybe others have done this successfully and I need more coffee ... but ... I see nothing but future PITA. I would probably just cut a slight border around letter, use a lighter green or I could see your idea work in paint/ink
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Can't recall the name of the material, but there is an acrylic used in channel letters that looks black during the day but transmits light to appear white at night. You might try asking your plastic supplier.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Black during the day, white at nite. I used the other material. (not the one you slice up) I believe I bought it from tubelite... or was it Gregory? Either way, I think they both carry it. Pretty cool stuff.
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2274 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Great suggestions folks but the one problem that I face with this job is that the vinyl I have to use is a custom pantone specific colour supplied to me the company I'm doing the work for. Their vinyl is not available over the counter. ala "telus purple, EdwardJones green'
and yes I do know Mike McWilliams well and I will talk to him about that 3m film if a job of this type comes up again.
And Mark, though you have a valid argument for this job, the customer is well aware of the durablity of the effect job. also, since its a channel letter the letter itself is 24" high and is bordered by an 1/8 x 1.5" support frame that keeps the contour of the letter intact
Thanks again folks
[ November 26, 2003, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Chad Preseault ]
-------------------- Chad P. Preseault Ottawa, ON
Now Unemployed! Got a job for me? Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 18 | From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Chad, I know this isn't much help, but, I do recall an article in either Signs of the Times or Sign Business describing exactly what you're doing. I think they took the process one step further by applying an opaque color to the face and a translucent color to the back of the face. This way you ended up with one color during the day and a second color at night. Unfortunately, it had to be at least 4 years ago if not longer. Good luck with the process, I'm sure it will look great when it's done.
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
| IP: Logged |
posted
I like the effect, but I am leary of the warranty work you may open yourself up for, especially in the colder Canadian climate. I do understand your visability dilema. An alternative may be to leave a small border around the outside of the text for evening visability.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3486 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic