How to save money by making your own sign.
The Sign Guy,
In the sign industry we commonly refer to the material that the sign is made out of as the substrate. Examples include, wood, vinyl banners, aluminum, coroplast, etc. But what many customers do not realize is that they can purchase vinyl lettering or vinyl decals and apply them directly to typical substrates themselves. Translation – saving money by buying blank substrates inexpensively at local hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowes and avoiding the prices sign companies need to charge to apply the material. Although you do pay tax by buying locally on the substrate, you can save tax on the vinyl by ordering over the internet.
What are vinyl letters and/or vinyl decals? They are letters (or images) that come prespaced according to customer specifications as words, phrases, or sentences on pre masking tape. The lettering is self adhesive and by removing the paper backing, they can be applied directly to almost any substrate, car, boat, truck, windows, snowmobiles, jet skis, vans, store fronts, etc. Make sure the surface is extremely clean and free of dust or lint. Once the lettering or decal has been aligned, simply rub over the masking covering the vinyl and then remove it. The result will be perfectly spaced lettering or a decal designed as ordered with a professional look. Most sign companies will allow you to purchase multiple lines of vinyl lettering with the spacing between the lines defined by you. You can also usually obtain a combination of vinyl lettering and images on one decal.
Another tack you may wish to consider is to have the entire sign printed on vinyl made to fit the substrate you prepurchased (with a small bleed of additional vinyl to wrap around the sides). We must caution you that this is a bit more tricky to apply than vinyl lettering, but problems can be overcome with care and some suggestions. When applying the vinyl to the substrate, remove the paper backing about two inches at a time, align, and then press or roll it on the surface. We recommend a roller for the application (roller applicator). Once the first part is properly aligned and applied, remove another two inches of the backing and proceed in this manner with the rest of the sign. Another trick is to moisten the substrate so you can move the vinyl if you accidentally align it improperly when first applied. The water prevents it from adhering permanently for a few seconds.
When you apply vinyl, it is inevitable that you will run into the “bubble” problem. Tiny bubbles of captured air will form under the vinyl. Usually these can be worked out with the roller but in some circumstances, they will remain. A blow dryer (not too hot) can be used to heat the vinyl up so that the air can be rolled out easier. Under some circumstances if the bubble is large, the vinyl can be heated and the bubble punctured with a pin (careful here – only a tiny hole is needed). Be careful not to heat the vinyl too much because it can permanently deform it.
Recently, a new product has been introduced which enables the vinyl to be adjusted if it is pressed on but incorrectly aligned. The adhesive does not seal permanently for a few hours after it is applied. The material is a bit more expensive but well worth it if you are inexperienced. Don’t feel bad. I know many sign companies that are now going to the easy stick vinyl to avoid large overhead costs caused by mistakes with the old permanent seal vinyl.
In the sign industry we commonly refer to the material that the sign is made out of as the substrate. Examples include, wood, vinyl banners, aluminum, coroplast, etc. But what many customers do not realize is that they can purchase vinyl lettering or vinyl decals and apply them directly to typical substrates themselves. Translation – saving money by buying blank substrates inexpensively at local hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowes and avoiding the prices sign companies need to charge to apply the material. Although you do pay tax by buying locally on the substrate, you can save tax on the vinyl by ordering over the internet.
What are vinyl letters and/or vinyl decals? They are letters (or images) that come prespaced according to customer specifications as words, phrases, or sentences on pre masking tape. The lettering is self adhesive and by removing the paper backing, they can be applied directly to almost any substrate, car, boat, truck, windows, snowmobiles, jet skis, vans, store fronts, etc. Make sure the surface is extremely clean and free of dust or lint. Once the lettering or decal has been aligned, simply rub over the masking covering the vinyl and then remove it. The result will be perfectly spaced lettering or a decal designed as ordered with a professional look. Most sign companies will allow you to purchase multiple lines of vinyl lettering with the spacing between the lines defined by you. You can also usually obtain a combination of vinyl lettering and images on one decal.
Another tack you may wish to consider is to have the entire sign printed on vinyl made to fit the substrate you prepurchased (with a small bleed of additional vinyl to wrap around the sides). We must caution you that this is a bit more tricky to apply than vinyl lettering, but problems can be overcome with care and some suggestions. When applying the vinyl to the substrate, remove the paper backing about two inches at a time, align, and then press or roll it on the surface. We recommend a roller for the application (roller applicator). Once the first part is properly aligned and applied, remove another two inches of the backing and proceed in this manner with the rest of the sign. Another trick is to moisten the substrate so you can move the vinyl if you accidentally align it improperly when first applied. The water prevents it from adhering permanently for a few seconds.
When you apply vinyl, it is inevitable that you will run into the “bubble” problem. Tiny bubbles of captured air will form under the vinyl. Usually these can be worked out with the roller but in some circumstances, they will remain. A blow dryer (not too hot) can be used to heat the vinyl up so that the air can be rolled out easier. Under some circumstances if the bubble is large, the vinyl can be heated and the bubble punctured with a pin (careful here – only a tiny hole is needed). Be careful not to heat the vinyl too much because it can permanently deform it.
Recently, a new product has been introduced which enables the vinyl to be adjusted if it is pressed on but incorrectly aligned. The adhesive does not seal permanently for a few hours after it is applied. The material is a bit more expensive but well worth it if you are inexperienced. Don’t feel bad. I know many sign companies that are now going to the easy stick vinyl to avoid large overhead costs caused by mistakes with the old permanent seal vinyl.

28 Comments:
At 6:12 PM,
lisajackson89457255 said…
i thought your blog was cool and i think you may like this cool Website. now just Click Here
At 4:19 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you! I have a food and wine site/blog. It pretty much covers food and wine related stuff.
At 1:54 AM,
Anonymous said…
Great blog! I also have a site about Extreme Waterskiing
. You can check it out at Extreme Waterskiing
.
Also, as a special bonus, I want to tell you about a great site that is giving away a FREE Sony DVD Handycam. Just click the link below and enter your Zipcode to qualify.
FREE Sony DVD Handycam
At 4:19 AM,
microsoft clipart gallery said…
I don't know if screen printers or the like ever blog here but if they do they might be interested in car clipart.
At 10:27 PM,
geVpVlpn said…
Ski Doo Snowmobile is a topic covered on this site. Your readers might be interested in checking it out further.
At 2:32 PM,
pixel ads said…
Cool Blog Here! I have a pixel web site If want to promote your web site on my http://www.pixelhurricane.com website the cost is $497.00 for a 100 block of pixels but it will get your site listed in the top of the search engines. pixel ads
At 3:46 PM,
Search engine marketing said…
Cool Blog Here! I have a pixel web site If want to promote your web site on my http://www.pixelhurricane.com website the cost is $497.00 for a 100 block of pixels but it will get your site listed in the top of the search engines. Search engine marketing
At 10:00 AM,
promotion said…
Cool Blog Here! I have a pixel web site If want to promote your web site on my http://www.pixelhurricane.com website the cost is $497.00 for a 100 block of pixels but it will get your site listed in the top of the search engines. promotion
At 5:11 PM,
promotion said…
Cool Blog Here! I have a pixel web site If want to promote your web site on my http://www.pixelhurricane.com website the cost is $497.00 for a 100 block of pixels but it will get your site listed in the top of the search engines. promotion
At 3:00 AM,
internet advertising said…
Cool Blog Here! I have a pixel web site If want to promote your web site on my http://www.pixelhurricane.com website the cost is $497.00 for a 100 block of pixels but it will get your site listed in the top of the search engines. internet advertising
At 12:33 PM,
pixel said…
Cool Blog Here! I have a pixel web site If want to promote your web site on my http://www.pixelhurricane.com website the cost is $497.00 for a 100 block of pixels but it will get your site listed in the top of the search engines. pixel
At 8:36 PM,
No Hassle Loans said…
Hey nice blog. Although it�s not what I was looking for. I am looking for info on Payday Loans or a Cash Advance so I can buy some Hoodia Diet Pills.. I found your blog very interesting
At 4:34 AM,
Anonymous said…
Who can help me with .httpaccess ?
where i can fined full information about .httpaccess file syntaxis?
At 10:04 AM,
Anonymous said…
[b] Search engines try it [/b]
[url=http://casino.myeasyseek.info]Casino[/url]
[url=http://viagra.themysearch.info]viagra[/url]
[url=http://myownlook.info]tramadol[/url]
[url=http://cialis.workfinda.info]cialis[/url]
At 2:13 AM,
Anonymous said…
Latest news. Viagra, cialis
[url=http://viagra.rxworlddata.info]viagra[/url]
[url=http://cialis.rxtvinfo.info]cialis[/url]
[url=http://tramadol.rxplusinfo.info]tramadol[/url]
At 5:43 PM,
Anonymous said…
www.mtechgraphics.com GRAPHIC KITS FROM ONLY $25 LOWEST PRICE ANYWHERE ONLINE AND OFFLINE THE LOWEST PRICE IN THE WORLD!!!!!! 11" X 90" KITS ARE ONLY $35 A SET HURRY UP LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!
At 5:43 PM,
Anonymous said…
**CUSTOM GRAPHIC KITS ONLY $25 CLICK HERE**
At 2:15 AM,
Anonymous said…
Gutten TAG!
I bookmark your site, best greetings.
Very much interesting site. Tomorrow I shall return again.
Another links here:
[url=http://xenical.butkel1.org/]xenical[/url] http://xenical.butkel1.org/ xenical
[url=http://hydrocodone.butkel1.org/]hydrocodone[/url] http://hydrocodone.butkel1.org/ hydrocodone
[url=http://celexa.butkel1.org/]celexa[/url] http://celexa.butkel1.org/ celexa
[url=http://ephedra.butkel1.org/]ephedra[/url] http://ephedra.butkel1.org/ ephedra
[url=http://lorcet.butkel1.org/]lorcet[/url] http://lorcet.butkel1.org/ lorcet
[url=http://meridia.butkel1.org/]meridia[/url] http://meridia.butkel1.org/ meridia
[url=http://tramadol.butkel1.org/]tramadol[/url] http://tramadol.butkel1.org/ tramadol
[url=http://carisoprodol.butkel1.org/]carisoprodol[/url] http://carisoprodol.butkel1.org/ carisoprodol
[url=http://cialis.butkel1.org/]cialis[/url] http://cialis.butkel1.org/ cialis
[url=http://paxil.butkel1.org/]paxil[/url] http://paxil.butkel1.org/ paxil
[url=http://clonazepam.butkel1.org]clonazepam [/url] http://clonazepam.butkel1.org clonazepam
[url=http://lortab.butkel1.org]lortab[/url] http://lortab.butkel1.org lortab
[url=http://lexapro.butkel1.org]lexapro[/url] http://lexapro.butkel1.org lexapro
[url=http://codeine.butkel1.org]codeine[/url] http://codeine.butkel1.org codeine
[url=http://viagra.butkel1.org]viagra[/url] http://viagra.butkel1.org viagra
[url=http://vicodin.butkel1.org]vicodin[/url] http://vicodin.butkel1.org vicodin
[url=http://percocet.butkel1.org]percocet[/url] http://percocet.butkel1.org percocet
[url=http://ativan.butkel1.org]ativan[/url] http://ativan.butkel1.org ativan
[url=http://oxycontin.butkel1.org]oxycontin[/url] http://oxycontin.butkel1.org oxycontin
[url=http://rivotril.butkel1.org]rivotril[/url] http://rivotril.butkel1.org rivotril
Thank's!
At 2:20 PM,
No Hassle Loans said…
Hey nice blog. Although it�s not what I was looking for. I am looking for info on Payday Loans or a Payday Advance Loan . I found your blog very interesting
At 5:01 PM,
Anonymous said…
NSU - 4efer, 5210 - rulez
[url=http://bk-magazin.com][/url]
At 2:12 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hello Bloggers
Find Out More About books on spiritual warfare
Within these pages, you�ll learn how to:
� Discover and access your spiritual faculties
� Open yourself to a guiding higher consciousness
� Remove psychological and spiritual blocks
� Find your true self as you understand the nature and function of the soul
� Create and control your own path
� Use spiritual energy to heal yourself and others
� Enhance your body, mind, and soul to live a life of harmony
This transformational book is more than just a guide . . . it�s a way back to living from the inside out. It will help you (no matter what your walk of life) follow your own spiritual journey. John says, �Once your spiritual gifts are recognized, opened, and used, you�ll see yourself and the world in a way you never thought possible!�
At 5:06 PM,
Anonymous said…
www.MTECHGRAPHICS.com YOUR 1 STOP GRAPHIC DECAL SHOP. YOU DREAM IT WE DESIGN IT. ALL CUSTOM WORK, DECALS, FLAMES, SIGNS, LETTERING, GRAPHIC KITS FROM $25....90" LONG KITS ONLY $35....HURRY UP AND CALL US TODAY TO PLACE AN ORDER (708) 428-5702**MTECHGRAPHICS.COM CLICK HERE FOR THE 90
" GRAPHIC KIT SALE ONLY $35 HURRY UP LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!**
At 5:36 PM,
Anonymous said…
www.MTECHGRAPHICS.com YOUR 1 STOP GRAPHIC DECAL SHOP. YOU DREAM IT WE DESIGN IT. ALL CUSTOM WORK, DECALS, FLAMES, SIGNS, LETTERING, GRAPHIC KITS FROM $25....90" LONG KITS ONLY $35....HURRY UP AND CALL US TODAY TO PLACE AN ORDER (708) 428-5702**MTECHGRAPHICS.COM CLICK HERE FOR THE 90
" GRAPHIC KIT SALE ONLY $35 HURRY UP LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!**
At 5:36 PM,
Anonymous said…
www.MTECHGRAPHICS.com YOUR 1 STOP GRAPHIC DECAL SHOP. YOU DREAM IT WE DESIGN IT. ALL CUSTOM WORK, DECALS, FLAMES, SIGNS, LETTERING, GRAPHIC KITS FROM $25....90" LONG KITS ONLY $35....HURRY UP AND CALL US TODAY TO PLACE AN ORDER (708) 428-5702**MTECHGRAPHICS.COM CLICK HERE FOR THE 90
" GRAPHIC KIT SALE ONLY $35 HURRY UP LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!**
At 10:45 PM,
Anonymous said…
online job web site
At 11:03 AM,
Anonymous said…
www.MTECHGRAPHICS.com YOUR 1 STOP GRAPHIC DECAL SHOP. YOU DREAM IT WE DESIGN IT. ALL CUSTOM WORK, DECALS, FLAMES, SIGNS, LETTERING, GRAPHIC KITS FROM $25....90" LONG KITS ONLY $35....HURRY UP AND CALL US TODAY TO PLACE AN ORDER (708) 428-5702**MTECHGRAPHICS.COM CLICK HERE FOR THE 90
" GRAPHIC KIT SALE ONLY $35 HURRY UP LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!**
At 11:03 AM,
Anonymous said…
www.MTECHGRAPHICS.com YOUR 1 STOP GRAPHIC DECAL SHOP. YOU DREAM IT WE DESIGN IT. ALL CUSTOM WORK, DECALS, FLAMES, SIGNS, LETTERING, GRAPHIC KITS FROM $25....90" LONG KITS ONLY $35....HURRY UP AND CALL US TODAY TO PLACE AN ORDER (708) 428-5702**MTECHGRAPHICS.COM CLICK HERE FOR THE 90
" GRAPHIC KIT SALE ONLY $35 HURRY UP LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!**
At 5:19 AM,
THE BEST SIDES said…
Very interesting site :) You can find more information at :
100 butalbital tablet
Hope it will always be alive! THE END :)
Post a Comment
<< Home