We use blue paint mask tape to establish base lines on signs and vehicle lettering. (it doesn't leave glue behind when you rip it off) We never make measurement marks directly on a vehicle...instead we mark on the tape and then step back to see if the taped base lines are indeed running horizontly correct with the vehicle...if not a little adjustment is all that is needed. We see alot of van lettering on crooked becasue they mistakenly measure from the drip rail...and on a new GMC van with a curved roof...this is a big mistake!
------------------ Go Get 'Em..... AKA Raptorman on #Letterheads mIRC Chat Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Proud 2-yr. $upporter of this Web Site (May 1999-May 2001)
[This message has been edited by Dave Draper (edited January 24, 2000).]
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Installing angled panels or copy on many vehicles can sometimes be awkward because of compound curves. By using an overhead projector and a piece of straight-cut vinyl, you can project the desired angle onto the vehicle, mark it with removeable tape as Dave has earlier suggested, and apply the panel or copy as required.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
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When we do sign layouts with angled text or graphics we have a little trick to make sure the angle is the same on all of the signs. We cut the text at the angle it was laidout at then cut a horizontal rectangle about 1/4" high (a stripe) under the copy. When you lay it up on the sign just make the sure the stripe goes on horizontal. All signs will have the copy at thre correct angle without a whole lot of measuring.
------------------ Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945
posted
Great tips, I've used the tape idea before. But what exactly is the rule of thumb for lining up lettering on vehicles when two body lines, one above and one below the lettering are at converging angles? Level lettering can look crooked.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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There are always level guidlines on a van or truck somewhere. Windows are most always level and certainly the bottom of the van or the bottom of the door. Some times you can even measure from the centers of the front wheel and back wheel ....those have to be level...but that would be in an extreme case.
If a truck or van is that odd of shape so as not to have a level line....then design the graphics really weird and slanted uphill
------------------ Go Get 'Em..... :) AKA Raptorman on #Letterheads mIRC Chat Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Proud 2-yr. $upporter of this Web Site (May 1999-May 2001)
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Good tips, Dave. But isn't it a shame the way they design some of these new vans, no matter how you put the lettering on, it looks off somehow. When will these Detroit genius designers learn that there is only so much you can do to make a box aerodynamic, and slanting the side body seams is most probably not one of them. Anything to make our jobs rougher, right?
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Actually Dave..I would advise against using the centers of the wheels to measure by. Yes they are always level with the road but they are seldom level with the body of the vehicle. Most vans and pickups have suspensions that raise the back end higher than the front. And depending on what is inside the van the back end might be lower on the suspension. I have found that the bottom edge of the doors or the bottom of the rocker panels are the best places to measure from.
------------------ Dave Grundy shop#340 AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@odyssey.on.ca www.odyssey.on.ca/~dave.grundy "A PROUD $ supporter of the website"
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