Guest Tom Posted May 8, 2019 I'm a super newbie, so forgive me if this is a completely dumb question. I'm using the letter M in varsity font to try to make a sticker to apply to a batting helmet. There are three colors in the font. When i cut it basically looks like three Ms in three sizes with solid fills. When i put them on top of eachother, they look good. My question is: It this good practice? Should i be layering thee colors on top of each other, or should they be somehow cut behind each other so each color attaches directly to the helmet with a tiny gap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomBrown 0 Posted May 8, 2019 i just created a screen name. Probably should have done that first... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomBrown 0 Posted May 8, 2019 ok, after a little googling, it looks like i'm talking about, "slicing", "punching, or "knocking out" Should i do that or just tick them on top of eachother? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darcshadow 1,626 Posted May 8, 2019 It depends on the project and personal preference. If you're happy with the results that's all that really matters. punching stuff out so that you are not layering the vinyl can make for a smooth finish, but getting things to line up exactly so that there is no gap or overlap can be very tricky and the larger the decal harder it can be. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted May 8, 2019 1 hour ago, darcshadow said: It depends on the project and personal preference. If you're happy with the results that's all that really matters. punching stuff out so that you are not layering the vinyl can make for a smooth finish, but getting things to line up exactly so that there is no gap or overlap can be very tricky and the larger the decal harder it can be. ditto! If precision is something that's going to be critical - which really depends on how you (or your customer) critiques your work, that may be a deciding factor. For me, personally, it takes me less time to layer over trying to do an exact application of individually cut color going on one at a time. If you're doing batting helmets, then keep in mind that's an application you'll have to do several times, and not just a one and done thing. I'd say, test one method out, and then test the other. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
X1ArmBanditx 9 Posted May 9, 2019 i like layering for reg vinyl, gives a good texture imo..but with htv on a shirt i use the knock out method Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cardudenc 151 Posted May 9, 2019 I do both . my first knockout was hemi decals for the hood on a white dodge truck. he wanted white to show up between the red and black . so instead of layering white vinyl between , I used the knockout option. I think turned out a very clean look 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted May 9, 2019 17 minutes ago, cardudenc said: I do both . my first knockout was hemi decals for the hood on a white dodge truck. he wanted white to show up between the red and black . so instead of layering white vinyl between , I used the knockout option. I think turned out a very clean look There some memories, I got a c&d from them for using the word hemi and a tribal ram that they never used. looks great Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cardudenc 151 Posted May 10, 2019 Thanks. guess I should take those off. I never thought of that 1. a lot of stuff im up on as far as that bad word that gets us in trouble goes, but still a newbie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted May 10, 2019 it's all good till you get the letter - so some things just better to spread by word of mouth - - - I sold my last truck with the hemi and tribal ram still on it 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
