[jeron]

Hey guys I'm just getting into vinyl.. I'm curious what you guys use for a workstation? I'm going to start out doing small car window stickers, t-shirt vinyl, banners, and signs.. I realize that when talking about banners and signs you probably couldn't have a big enough table... but what would be your minimum size be... space isn't a huge issue so I would rather build a table and not have to mess with it for a while... but don't want to do something so big I'll never use it..

Just curious on what everyone's ideal size would be and what everyone's minimum size would be...

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[Blue92]

Our primary work table for vinyl work is 40" x 72" with the heat press at one end. A few small tables for packing boxes etc.

The shop where the better half has embroidery equipment has a pair of tables 4' by 16' we use for large banners.

 

[scaf77]

My work bench is 34" x 8' very rare I need something bigger.
Home Depot sells 3/4 particleboard with a smooth white laminate on it in 4x8 sheets. I forget what they call it but the stuff is great for a vinyl bench and they will cut it for free. Remember to build it high enough so your not killing your back bent over weeding.

 

[jeron]

Awesome that is what I was wondering..

In your guys opinion should it go against a wall so you can just work on one side of the table or away from the wall so you can work from all sides?

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[scaf77]

If your working with 24" vinyl against the wall is fine.
I've seen print shops use a big table that you can work from all sides but they are working with 48 and 52" prints.
Mine is against the wall.

 

[DPendable]

We use a 48"x96" table that started out as just a sheet of melamine.

Then we realized that we were burning through blades so we bought a cutting mat to match the size of the table.

After doing vinyl for awhile and having issues with multi colored decals and the registration of those colors, we decided to build the table into a large light box. I removed the cutting mat and framed the edges with some 2x3's and cut a few for supports in the center. Added about 200' of rope light in an up and down pattern. Placed a sheet of 1/4" plexiglass over the top and screwed that down. Then put some vanner tape around the edges, put the cutting mat back on and that's it.

It is one of the best things we have built here.

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[DPendable]

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[jeron]

That is a really good idea!!!!

What use does the light table serve? I have a small one for screen printing but not sure what you would use one for vinyl?

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[GHEENEE1]

I would imagine the cut lines would show up better.

 

[DPendable]

What use does the light table serve? I have a small one for screen printing but not sure what you would use one for vinyl?

Thanks,
Jeron

We use it for layering multi color vinyl decals that are not going to be installed by us.

Here is an example.
We use the light table to see through the paper backing so we can align each color.

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[jeron]

Oh ok.. both replys make sense.. I'll have to find one of those big cutting mats!!!

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[DPendable]

We picked ours up from signwarehouse.com

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[jeron]

Ok cool I'll look into it for sure..

Thanks,
Jeron