posted
i'm bidding a bunch of parking lot signs (30 of them). its all pretty straightforward - white reflective type on green reflective background. is there anything special i should know about the reflective vinyls before i bid the job? is it harder to work with, take longer to install, etc, etc, or should i just figure it as basic vinyl job (plus the additional cost of material)?
also, does it matter which brand i use? they all seem to conform to the same federal standards. i was going to use the Calon version because PSS stocks it, but i dont want to stick myself into a corner.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: ::
Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Reflective vinyl is thick, so set your plotter to cut accordingly. (check your plotter specs) Also, when ready to apply, consider this. If you're confident, dry app. is faster. But you get one shot at positioning. If you try to lift up, you'll delaminate the reflective from the adhesive layer and leave a dark spot! Wet app. is slower, but easier for beginners.
Hey, are these all identical? If so, you might consider screenprinting, using transparent ink. Much less in material cost, if you've got the set-up for it.
Aloha, Warren F., dba Ad Signs
-------------------- Warren F. Ad Signs Honolulu
Posts: 38 | From: Honolulu, HI, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
We do alot of street signs. Try to buy the .080 with the green already on. This way all you have to do is the white. Add the price of a extra blade into the job, they dont last to long with this stuff.
-------------------- Robert Davis Sticky Sam's Signs (828)488-1715 stickysam@dnet.net The Great Smoky Mountains Bryson City, N.C. Posts: 133 | From: Bryson City, N.C. US | Registered: Jul 2000
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Watch the wet application bit------ some if not all the companies don't recommend it with reflective. Also, you will most likely have to change your plotter blade to one with a steeper angle than whatever you usually use. My Ioline calls for a 30 degree blade for the cast stuff, 45 for for calendered, and 60 for reflective, and heavier pressure. Good luck.
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
Scooter... For a parking lot you probably don't have to worry about fed or state standards...but you will want to use the industry standard "engineering" grade for max life, reflectivity and reasonable price. Graphtec recommends a heavy duty (CB-15U, 45 degree) blade. Expect to wear it out. hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
posted
Be extremely careful when weeding the white. That particular color seems to be more brittle than the rest & can easily tear into a letter where you didn't want it to.
-------------------- Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs N.Huntingdon,Pa
bcosharek@juno.com Posts: 704 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Only thing I might add is to slow your plotter down. . .I hate that stuff....it is a bee otch to weed as well...oh yea- - -don't try the wet application thing at all - - -U will waste mucho dollars in reflective real fast - - -Good Luck, Carl
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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Scooter I do miles and miles of the rotten stuff as the others have said heavier pressure 60 degree blade do not prick bubbles or it will delaminate do not use class 1 reflective unless you have to and if you do and need coloured letters on a white background use the transparents over it that are available much easier on your machine and your nerves get it right first time no second chances rips real easy and rotten stuff to get off. My roland hates it and use slower cutter speed.
-------------------- Ian Wilson Signmaker Retired 3 Panorama Drive Toowoomba Queensland Australia may all your troubles be little ones. The man that never make a mistake never makes anything. Posts: 656 | From: Toowoomba Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
thanks guys! sounds like i should figure in the cost of a new blade and allow myself an extra 50% production time (since it will be lots of little letters).
i'll also do a sample of the transparent over reflective and see if they'll go for it.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: ::
Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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