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I want to make some signs for a local non profit so people can put the signs in their yard to show their support for the "cause".
What I need to know is which sign vinyl should I use, where should I buy it from, and where to get the actual "signs" (posts, step on signs, sign board).
If you wanted to throw in how to apply it, that would be a nice bonus
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs)
LOL you don't want much do ya bud
ok......you'll need:
intermediate grade vinyl (no need for hi performance stuff, these are temp signs)
transfer tape (preferably the same width as your graphic)
coroplast sign blanks & step stakes
a squeegee - i prefer the felt variety for app on coroplast
tape measure or ruler
scissors
1/2" masking tape
cut & weed your vinyl (no, don't mirror it! the sticky stuff is on the back with sign vinyl! LOL)
cover the cut vinyl with transfer tape and squeegee it down smoothly - find the center of your graphic, width-wise, and mark it
find the center of your coroplast blank and align the center of your graphic with it - measure top and bottom of the blank to graphic and be sure it's straight and evenly placed.
when you have it where you want it, run a piece of masking tape down the center of the taped graphic, north to south, both ends stuck on the coroplast, so now your graphic won't move around.
grasp one side of the graphic and pull it back toward the masking tape. holding the transfer tape in one hand, gently pull the backing paper away from the transfer tape - the vinyl graphic should stay put on the tape! if you're finding that it isn't, lay the whole mess back down and squeegee some more! don't pull on the transfer tape - it stretches and will distort your graphic! just hold onto it and pull the backing paper!
when you get to the center where your masking tape 'hinge' is, cut the backing paper up the center (same direction as the hinge!) and discard it - still holding the taped graphic gently, begin to squeege with the direction of your flutes in the coroplast - generally east to west - really get into it - no such thing as pressing too hard - you're pressing the air (and any resulting bubbles!) out from under the vinyl.
when you've got the first side down, remove the masking tape 'hinge' and repeat the process from the other direction, starting to squeegee again from where you left off at the hinge.
to remove the transfer tape, start at one side and pull the tape flat back against itself - that way if a teeny corner isn't quite stuck down well enough you see it right away and can squeegee it down before the vinyl stretches or tears.
sit back and admire your handywork
i'm not familiar with sign suppliers in your area - i'm in the midwest, but perhaps somebody closer geographically will chime in.
happy signing
ps: do a test cut on your vinyl before sending the whole job! if your plotter is set up for thermo, you may find you don't need as much cutting pressure on your blade!
Last edited by jberte; June 14th, 2007 at 10:40 AM.
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs)
Quote:
LOL you don't want much do ya bud
If you have a silver platter, that's be perfect LOL.
Seriously though...thanks for the great post. Hopefully it will help more than just me
Part of it is knowing the right "terminology". "Step Stakes" and " coroplast sign blanks" are what I need to search for instead of "step on signs thingy" and "sign boards"
Quote:
intermediate grade vinyl
Would that be something like oracal? I think I've seen that mentioned here in other threads.
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs)
oracal does make an intermediate grade vinyl - and a lot of sign people use it successfully - it's not my favorite, especially this grade. i used a boatload of it for a job a few years back and the adhesive wasn't stable.....it goo-ed (how's that for technical terms ) all over my plotter and blade.....i was not a happy camper! i far prefer mac-tac and have used it almost exclusively for almost 10 years without a single vinyl failure. whatever you do, stay far, far away from avery....
FDC also makes a decent grade of intermediate use vinyl, but a bit pricey for your current needs. 3M is good stuff, but imho, have priced themselves out of the market over the years.
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodney
If you have a silver platter, that's be perfect LOL.
Seriously though...thanks for the great post. Hopefully it will help more than just me
Part of it is knowing the right "terminology". "Step Stakes" and " coroplast sign blanks" are what I need to search for instead of "step on signs thingy" and "sign boards"
Would that be something like oracal? I think I've seen that mentioned here in other threads.
Simple instructions:
Design your sign(graphic,text ect)
Cut vinyl (Do Not Mirror Images)
Weed
Apply transfer tape
Layout graphics,text on your coroplast or banner(use stabilo pencils to mark your layout lines, it washes off easily)
Place vinyl on your sign and align with layout marks, tape into place using the hinge method
Remove backing from one side of your tranfer material and squeegee vinyl onto your substrate
Remove backing from other side of your tranfer material, squeegee into place
Remove transfer tape and you are done!
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs)
They may not be the lowest priced, but I have gotten great service from Beacon. I ordered some vinyl for a rush job for a non-profit and they overnighted my order at no additional cost. Good luck with your yard signs.
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs)
Fellers are good to deal with, you may also try Sign Warehouse in Texas. Keep in mind that Stepstakes is a brand name, the generic term is sign stakes. Sometimes if the supplier carries more than 1 brand the original Stepstakes are more expensive. By the way I have used Avery for the past 4 year and never had a problem, the trouble seems to be with the A8 not with the A6. But Oracal 651 is cheaper anyways.
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs)
Sign product up in sac. Rodney. There up near Fry's. Pricy but you can walk in and get what you want. iwas there Tuesday. other than that I use Wellington House. free shipping on orders over $75.00 They are in portland , Or. They are owned by Stahls.
This is a discussion about shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs) that was posted in the Vinyl Cutters (Plotters) and Transfers section of the forums.
shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs) 
Re: shopping list for vinyl signs (like yard signs) 
) all over my plotter and blade.....i was not a happy camper! i far prefer mac-tac and have used it almost exclusively for almost 10 years without a single vinyl failure. whatever you do, stay far, far away from avery....
