slice&dice

In the OP, Seejay said -- Hello i got a job today for " Fantastic Sam's " But you're right, they don't use the possessive apostrophe (I looked at their website) If Kim was the name of the salon owner, it would be Kim's Hair Salon(s). Or John's Sign Studios. Anyway, back to the matter at hand, time is of the essence here, if they want the lettering on their signs this weekend, SeeJay has to get going ASAP. That includes preparing a graphics proof, getting it approved, making sure they are OK with non-translucent vinyl (no time to order that and have it delivered, unless he knows of a local supplier that he can go and pick it up from today) and probably the best thing is to just apply the decals right onto the sign faces as they are (not taking them out of the frame). Those signs aren't up very high, and appear to be reachable with a tall A-frame ladder (you can rent this at a local Home Improvement store).

Where's the apostrophe? Regarding the pylon/monument signs, you should be able to remove the acrylic panels, and apply your vinyl to the signs on a flat table in your regular work area. It's easier that way than attempting it while standing on a ladder. What size is the panel?

with my new SC, I also was experiencing cut-through of the backing paper, at around 4g of pressure, which surprised me (my MH runs flawlessly at 50g) ---- I lowered it to the minimum of 1g, and have the blade nearly imperceptibly poking out of the holder. What driver are you running?

Yeah, it's always sweet to get stuff working on your own! What is the first thing you're going to cut with it? Do you have a paying gig lined up? Let us see some of your work...

This entire question goes to the heart of graphics-files differences. There are two types of graphics, pixel-based and vector-based. Plotters/cutters do not UNDERSTAND pixels. At all. Anytime you have something with pixels, it's a crap-shoot trying to convert to vectors. Sometimes it goes easily & sometimes - a nightmare. Your question is easily answered: "I would love to be able to have any pdfs of business cards and stuff like that cut ready. Is that a reality???" One word answer -- "No"

Honestly, this is not the most spectacular or exciting application I've done this week, but it's just a small thing that made a big difference to someone. This fellow bought a bass electric guitar, and the case it came in had a bunch of stickers, which he tried to remove with some GoofOff, ruining the finish on the surface of the black plastic case. My solution was to apply a strip of matte-black high-performance vinyl onto the case, covering the messed-up area, and then adding the lettering (and the bass clef). (I used the high-performance because the case was not smooth, it had a texture, and high-perf. works well adhering to a rippled/stippled surface) Result --- one happy bass player, $75 in my pocket, and the lesson learned that simple can be sweet.

I am hoping that there's a breakthrough in the technology of digital printers, so that for $2000, it will be possible to obtain a hybrid cutter/printer. http://www.uscutter.com/Roland-VersaCAMM-VS-Series-Printers-ROPRVS The pricing is now around $15K -- what I'm dreaming of is a machine for $2K. I can dream, can't I?

USCutter has a phone # for support, giving customers the opportunity to directly speak with someone who provides ANSWERS INSTANTLY.

I'm usually sleeping while Hong Kong is partying --- this thread's Opening Post certainly looks like there are some WILD parties in HK !!!! Great to have you as a member of our fun little group, Joanna. Just out of curiosity, when you do signs, are you using Chinese-character fonts? That should be interesting...

Tat-tastic.

If there's one thing I've learned in this business, it's GO BIGGER than you think it should be. Once in place, any sign "Shrinks" within its surroundings. I did a 4' x 12' banner for a guy last month, we both figured it was plenty huge. Nope, it could have been better at 6' x 20' ----- but we all live and learn.

Did I miss something? OK, here's what's been going on today --- my laptop doesn't have a serial port (and for the life of me, I couldn't get the KEYSPAN to work, despite fooling with all sorts of settings for hours). So, I just went out and grabbed an older DELL Optiplex desktop WinXP computer for $80 (with 17" LCD Acer monitor) from a guy on CL. Literally, within 15 minutes of setting it up and installing SignBlazer, the SC cutter was working like a charm from the serial port. I believe that will be the most stable way to run it, based on many members here saying SERIAL SERIAL SERIAL!!!!!! Oh, I already have gotten the first job going on this new computer --- a 4'x8' maxmetal sign for a car dealer, charged $350, and that single job has paid for my $80 computer, as well as all the vinyl rolls I ordered along with the SC (Oracal 9-color pack of 30" material = $260) Now, if I can only figure out what to do with the PINK roll of vinyl they sent me in my starter pack!!!!!!!!

Your question basically is -- MH or SC? I have both, and the SC is much quieter. If you don't care about the noise factor, the MH will be fine for you. By the way, when I ordered my SC 34" last week, I added a sample assortment of GREENSTAR InstaBanner material for $130. The box arrived today, and I discovered that it's VERY cool stuff. I figure that I'll make 12 banners (2'x8' approx.) and get $50 each. (These Insta-Banners are ideal to use with Banner Clips) http://www.uscutter.com/index/page/product/product_id/1619/category_id/29/product_name/Banner+Clips%2C+package+of+50 So, producing those banners will pay for the entire order, and I have a "free" cutter.

My insurance agent told me the same thing --- my Chevy Astro van CANNOT be used as a rolling advertisement with my shop name on it, and still be insured as a personal vehicle. If I put my company logo and phone/website on it, then he would have to classify it as a commercial-use truck and need to charge higher rates. So, yes, I think Alien's idea is very appropriate, just decorate my van to attract eyes, and when someone asks, tell 'em it's MY work! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with, Hummer. Peace.

Where did you vanish to? We were hoping to see some of the results posted here. Yep, I'm curious to know how you turned that "blank canvas" into something cool.

While I don't have any logo for my own studio, sometimes I need to generate a design for a client's sign, and I've found that a standard LOGO Design software program is useful. http://www.officedep...t=logo+software

I was in RiteAid pharmacy this morning and noticed they're selling a double-wide banquet tent (with windows in the sides). Although I have a storefront retail location and don't need to work inside this tent, I decided to put it up right outside my front door to attract more attention, adding lettering/banners onto it. Photos to follow, when the installation is finished. Thanks for the excellent promotional idea, AbsoluteCustoms.

Welcome from Baltimore.

I'm not a fan of that SLASHER font (in red) -- it appears like a bloody wound. Also, just keep in mind that D/S (or D-S) has another meaning, of a sexual nature. I still don't know what FX means.

DS FX ? Is that supposed to mean something? -- The "F" is not right (outline closed) -- D-Sign looks weird (too fat) -- Overall, too much 'happening' in the logo (needs simplification) My 2¢

Slicing and Dicing my way to fame and fortune ----- Using a basic 30" MH-series machine, decided to just open a retail operation, working out of a small shop (paying $500 a month rental). Since day one, the shop has had a steady flow of walk-in traffic. I've been ordering sign materials like crazy -- Banners, magnets, coroplast, maxmetal, lexan, mdo, PVC, foamcore Best investment -- plastic holder for the application tape rolls. Found it on ebay. Often-used vinyl -- 30" black Most Standard stock item -- coroplast sign blanks (in bulk w/stakes 100/case) And the beat goes on...

That font appears to be SF Chrome Fenders Bold (compressed/squeezed vertically) http://www.ffonts.ne...nders-Bold.font

Most likely he's looking to reproduce this ---

Cinco de Mayo already? My, my, how time flies when you're having fun ! OK, just my luck, cutter went kaput yesterday (my fault, actually, I dropped a roll of vinyl onto the blue USB cord, and it destroyed the USB socket connection, literally breaking the pins away from the circuit board) -- Not a major thing, US CUTTER sells a replacement board for fifty bucks, which I've requested, and since I'm already ordering, I added an SC-model cutter to be shipped, too. Never hurts to have a backup, and as I said earlier in this thread, I planned on getting one anyway. Here are a few notes from the past month ----- 1. Having a 34" machine is unquestionably worthwhile, and I am constantly producing jobs that require the 30" vinyl width (by the way, along with my SC cutter, I chose the option of ordering a 10-roll selection of 30"x10-yards Oracal, which by my calculations, will generate sales that will cover the cost for the SC machine many times over) 2. I've been making a lot of the 19"x48" coroplast signs (with 2 step-stakes) and the customers love them (instead of the 18x24 regular bandit signs). If you have never tried offering that extended size to your clients, I highly recommend making a sample and seeing their reaction when they discover the DOUBLE-WIDE impact of that product. You'll obtain 5 strips of 19" from 4x8 sheets. 3. A comment about business cards: Never go anywhere without them. I was shopping in a local warehouse club, happened to strike up a conversation with a guy, turns out he needed signs, I gave him my card & a few days later the job was mine. Charge for work -- $1400. Cost of business cards -- ZERO. (bizcard.com) and so it goes...

*thread bump* ---- Is there any major advantage to the grid pattern? I am currently using a mat without one, but now I'm going to order a larger size, so would it be worthwhile to have the 1" squares on the mat?