[jleampark]

My wife and a friend recently bought a coffee shop. This weekend, their strip center is having a car show and the coffee shop will be selling the goodies.

My wife asked me to make a banner.

I have a GCC Expert 24 LX and have made plenty of t-shirts with it.

As I understand it, I DO NOT mirror my image and text, correct? Once cut, I weed as normal; then, I add the application tape and squeegee it on. I take that and, using the hinge method, attach the image and lettering to the banner and squeegee again. Finally, I peal the app tape and am done.

Yes?

Dumb question... which way do I load the vinyl into the cutter? I got a roll of Endura Gloss black. One side is black; the other is white (I'm guessing this is the backing). DO I load it black side up or white side up?

Lastly, I know when I make a t-shirt, the heat and pressure from the press makes the vinyl stick to the shirt. What makes the vinyl stick to a banner??

Thanks,

Joe

 

[tcrowder]

1. You are correct sir.
2. Black side up.
3. Adhesive makes the vinyl stick to the banner.

 

[jleampark]

The vinyl for t-shirts has a sticky clear backing. In other words, the backing is sticking to the vinyl.

Is the backing for the banner vinyl not sticky; rather, it is the vinyl that is sticking to the backing?

 

[tcrowder]

Standard sign vinyl has adhesive on it. When you peel the white backing off you will expose the adhesive, it will then stick to your substrate. Peel the corner back and stick your finger on it, you will see what I'm talking about.

 

[joey1320]

The black color is the vinyl, that goes up on your cutter.

Dont mirror the image. Cut the image on the vinyl. Weed the design. Apply transfer tape onto the vinyl/carrier. Remove the transfer tape with the designed vinyl from carrier and apply onto banner.

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[joey1320]

Here you go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb6qjTVxD6s&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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[jleampark]

Thanks, everyone! I am excited and a bit scared...

It will be a simple banner -- all black on a white background. Just their logo in the middle with words (BREAKFAST, SMOOTHIES, ESPRESSO, etc.) on either side.

Any tips or lessons learned that you want to share would be appreciated.

From what I have seen on YouTube, the crucial step is centering/placement. I need to get a water-soluable pencil.

Joe

 

[tcrowder]

Here is a good video of what you are trying to do.

How to Make a Banner - SignWarehouse Television :: SignWarehouse Television

 

[jleampark]

Here you go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb6qjTVxD6s&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Cool video! I couldn't understand why he was cutting the image at the end -- and I had no idea what he was putting the vinyl on. When he opened the doors, it made a whole lot more sense.

Very cool.

 

[joeshaul]

You may want to check with where you got your banner blank from about whether or not you should do a wipe down with denatured alcohol beforehand. Sometimes they use plasticizers and that may cause your vinyl to not bond very well and curl up in the cold.

Take your time and try to get the banner as flat as possible before hinging the vinyl on, you may even want to tape the banner to a table to ensure it doesn't move or the like. Top hinging and center hinging are the two most common methods, the main problem with a center hinge is that you could skew the design inadvertently when applying, since you don't really have full control. Top hinge you'll usually end up having to do in multiple passes, cutting between letters and the like, then applying section by section. If you get air trapped, it's usually pretty easy to work out on a banner, a little bit harder when it comes to things like metal/glass/etc, in a worst case scenario you can poke a hole in the vinyl with an x-acto and smooth it out.

I wouldn't ever really suggest applying like the guy in that video with the cabinet does, rather hinge it with masking tape first, then apply. Once the vinyl makes contact with your substrate/material you can pretty much consider it done, whether you like it or not, you can try to peel it up and start again, but chances are you'll stretch the vinyl or tear it trying to pick it back off.

 

[BrianHahn]

Another thing you can do if you are concerned about getting the vinyl lined up is use an application fluid like ClearStar Splash. If you go this route, consider using paper backed transfer tape so you can spray the back of the tape to release it from the decal in a wet condition.

For some additional information regarding vinyl cutting process and other tips and tricks:

vinyl cutter

 

[trublu]

A good water soluble pencil is a Stabilo. Wipes off with plain water and writes on anything, even glass.

 

[jleampark]

Thanks for all your help! I finished it this morning and was quite happy with the result.

The water soluble pencil I used didn't come off very well but they are very light lines.

Thanks again!


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[royster13]

Glad it worked out well......for the future, YouTube has a huge number of very helpful videos.....Sign Warehouse has a good series.....

 

[jleampark]

I got my equipment from Sign Warehouse. Good people.

So window clings and magnets are pretty much the same process?

I looked at some YouTube videos and cannot get the multi-color steps.

Lesson learned: the vinyl is VERY sticky. I ruined one portion because the vinyl I was peeling got stuck to the piece I was working on.

Joe


Team Spirit Tees
www.teamspirittees.com

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[royster13]

Here is a "great" source for banner blanks....13 oz. white only....http://stores.ebay.com/BANNERS-AND-MORE

 

[jleampark]

Thank you!


Team Spirit Tees
www.teamspirittees.com

Sent by iPhone to the T-Shirt forum

 

[Blue92]

Thanks for all your help! I finished it this morning and was quite happy with the result.

The water soluble pencil I used didn't come off very well but they are very light lines.

Thanks again!


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Looks good.

Biggest we've done so far was 6' x 12' that had velcro holding it together in the center so a football team could "burst" through it and come out on the field. That was a fun one.

 

[jleampark]

Looks good.

Biggest we've done so far was 6' x 12' that had velcro holding it together in the center so a football team could "burst" through it and come out on the field. That was a fun one.

That's a cool idea!! Did you cut the banner in half, combine two banners or did it come that way (with the velcro)?

 

[Blue92]

We ordered it that way. The Velcro was stitched on so we didn't have to worry about the stick on stuff coming off.