Helmet_S

rlvied, I am curious what all went into making that light bed for the photoresist? I have been kicking around getting into using that stuff but don't want to pay the prices that they have for their lights and such. Do you have to do anything special to wash out the resist after exposure? I know that some need high pressure.

I use 631 for it. it is the same stuff for wall decals. Comes right off with no mess but stays on well for quite a while. I did have one guy complain about it coming off when he went through an automatic carwash that also used hot water. Now I just tell people who are wanting the temperary decal to not do that.

I haven't personally made any of these banners but I have seen a lot of them and I always pay attention to how people install such items. The best install that I saw was stretched between two light poles. They ran 1/8" cable from one side of the street to the other and at the top and bottom of the banner. Then they placed tensioners on each cable at one side. This allowed them to keep the banner nice and taunt. They did have the half circle slits in the banner but it wasn't a windy day so I couldn't tell if they were really a necessity.

Dakota, I have been using Aluminum Oxide now for a while but I use 220 grit to produce a really even etched look. I do however like the kind of chipped sparkle effect that your course grit is leaving. The crumbly thing would be switching out cabinets or having two cabinets to run two different grit media. Nice work by the way. Have you found any vinyl or resist that works better on complex curves such as something like a fish bowl or really curved wine glass? I have just been using scrap 631 vinyl and it works ok and sometimes a little heat helps, or even placing small slices here and there to let the stencil lay flat on the curve.

Buys I just use scrap 631. The stuff works perfect and if I need it to stick really tight I just use some scrap 651. I use aluminum oxide and don't have a problem unless I use really coarse blasting media like an 80 grit. most of my work I do with 180 and 220 grit.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I have been reading and reading for a while now. I am ready to make the jump. Looking at the Graphtec CE-5000 24" and also adding a press for shirts and such. Any advice on extras or a press. I wanted to stay around the $2000 mark but am thinking that is going out the window and I will be closer to $3000.

So I am getting ready to jump into the whole vinyl cutting industry. I have years of experience design all sorts of things from graphics to mechanical systems so that end is the easy part. Here is my situation though: Instant access to plenty of jobs through a couple of friends who are graphic designers for a living but sub out all of their vinyl needs. Their needs are decals from small to big enough to justify a 24" cutter, shirts (mostly for sports teams but as many others as I chose to take on as well), banners of various sizes, business cars, etc. I believe that a 24" machine would cover just about all of my needs. Instant business is nice but I will be building my own contacts and promoting myself during this time also. I am not looking to get into printed vinyls yet. I am intending for the time being to stay with single color vinyls. I am thinking that from what I am reading on here that a graphtec is the way to go. So I am looking at this one: Graphtec CE-5000 Vinyl Cutter Bundle in 24" Here is my question: what would you guys suggest to accompany these setup and to also cover shirts? Are the 5 in one or 8 in one presses worth it or would stand along machines be the way to go.

I am another newbie. I have been doing a ton of research and I am getting close to making a purchase and jumping in. Any advice and tips would always be appreciated.