Sue2

Been there...done that.....way too many times. I get so involved with how it looks and fits that I completely forget to MIRROR the image.

The hobby/craft stores sell small pieces for the craft cutters. They stock a lot of colors & textures. Just make sure it is HTV and not sign vinyl! The packaging looks very similar. Sue2

Find My Font didn't come up with anything. Sue2

Most print jobs ARE Hurry, Hurry, Rush, Rush. And yes, many will give you a scribbled sheet and you are to come up with the entire layout...if not the sale/promotion idea too! You have to charge a set-up/typesetting fee for that kind of work...based mostly on time spent. Just like signage most customers will love anything you do but some will be picky, picky and want changes. If they provide their own files, you have to review and fix them...the MS WORD group files will look different from one computer to another mainly because of font substitutions...those programs will substitute a font if you don't have the same one on your computer....and not notify you. Even the PDF files created in them are not stable. We do have folding machines to take care of large orders but will sit down and hand fold small quantities. Yesterday we hand folded 40 funeral programs...it's just not worth the time it takes to set up the folder. And don't forget to charge extra for folding. Funeral programs are most always last minute...usually next day though. Very few of our customers require same day design & printing. Even if we do have something finished real early we don't always notify the customer right away...don't want to train them to expect immediate production....next order we may not have the time to turn it around that quickly. We mostly design posters, flyers, brochures, invitations, labels. For repeat orders, many event poster & flyer designs are used year after year and all that's needed is a few date & info changes for the next few years....much faster. I use CorelDraw or InDesign for creating files. Customer provided files are usually moved into one of those programs to make "fixing" easier. PROOFS are most always emailed (JPG files) for final okay.

I own/run a print/copy shop since 2002 on my own...so I can give you some advice. A lot depends on how many flyers they want and what quality they are expecting. Just like vinyl cutting ...the digital files are the biggest issue. Many customers think that files they created in WORD, EXCEL or even PowerPoint are acceptable for printing. Usually their centering is all off (especially on tri-fold brochures) and the layouts are in need of help. For small quantities we print inhouse on our very high end laser printer...for larger orders I prep the files (they have to be in CYMK with 300 dpi for photos) and send them out to wholesale print partners. Sue2

I have been reading along and don't have any personal experience to offer. BUT, you have been given a bounty of excellent advice from helpful experienced people... to help you in using your machine to the extent of its advertised limits. You should be thankful for their invaluable FREE advice. Good luck with your project...let us all know how it works out for you...we do care! Sue2

That was me...I had an HP 5500 wide format inkjet printer with UV inks. I printed on an adhesive vinyl stock and laminated with a UV film (LAMEX). I put the 18"x 24" coroplast sign outside in full sun...it was out there for over 3 years...the coroplast was breaking down and the unlaminated bottom of the sign was badly faded....BUT, the top laminated half was still doing fine. I have kept that sign to show customers how well the print holds up. Unfortunately, I recently had to replace the HP 5500 ( it was only 16 years old! ) and now I need to test out my new wide format to see if it will hold up as well.

Try Kimberley Alternate (Regular *Oblique)

Has anyone tried the removable vinyl on banners? Does it stay on well? Will it come off easily after being outside in the sun/weather for over a month? I have a local group that wants to have banners they can change the beneficiary each year for a Rummage Sale they hold. We already change the dates each year ...but even that little bit is always some work to remove the numbers and also the sticky residue left behind. Don't think I want to replace a bunch much more lettering with regular vinyl....unless the removable will work well. Thanks for any advice! Sue2

Yup...got that...it works to an extent...

I've thought of that...and it MAY just work. Only problem there is that they probably won't do a good job of removing the residue and I'll be left with a semi-sticky surface....and have to go over it anyway. Thanks all

Nope, didn't do a thing to make your text better...FMF had no problem recognizing the letters.

Find My Font says: Tenby Four (Regular Bold)

Goose....at what quantity do you move to plastisol transfers? Do you have a favorite provider for these? Thanks, Sue2

Well maybe Corel rewired my brain because I don't care for AI. I have VM CUT and find it very similar to Corel. Sue2

Goose...if you can master AI, then Corel should be a snap. In my opinion Corel is much easier to work with and is my "Go to" program. Sue2

Mostra Nuova (Bold)

Me too! So, for future readers, what font is that?

Speaking of back ups...What programs are you all using for auto back-ups? I would sure like to find one that will back up automatically every night. TIA Sue2

Too tiny a sample to get a good match but..... Swirly capitals look like Revalina with some altering.

Just a note to let you all know that the Adobe CS2 programs are still available as free downloads either individually or as a whole Suite. Yes, they are older unsupported programs now but are still very functional. Windows & MAC. This weekend I downloaded Illustrator, InDesign & Photoshop on my Windows 7 laptop and so far, they work fine. You will need to register with Adobe before being able to download any. LINK to Adobe: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs2-product-downloads.html# Sue2

I have a customer asking for a glass door decal in a frosted purple & green (grapes with leaves) Who makes the frosted (sandblast looking) vinyl in colors? Thanks! Sue2

Thanks...I'll take a look.

Thank you...I had seen that one but was hoping for an easier solution. I doubt my customer would spring for that for the little they need. Sue2

Not exact...but close Zebulon (Regular)