This is where the old world
sign techniques can make the greatest difference. These things
cannot be taught in a guide book and are only available through
years of practice and experience. Issues such as logos & practical
copy, size, placement as well as outlines, shadows and
embellishments are the key to completing the appropriate
presentation for any given purpose. To address this issue you
must insure that any vinyl graphics provided to you are designed by
an appropriately trained craftsman and that you have received some
basic layout training or at least read this guide completely so that
the final installation of your graphics will be completed properly.
Most people don't realize
that the preparation of a vinyl graphics project is the most
difficult and time consuming part. Here I'll outline the
procedure...
1. Make general decisions on overall size,
sizes of lettering, letting styles, logos & additional graphics
and colors. Finally add some creativity and or consider what the
final presentation must feel like to suit the people and purpose
involved.
2. Evaluate the finished design for material
usage for all, adding a bit extra for changes, tech problems or
mistakes. Inventory in house stock of materials & tools. Order
tools & the appropriate (quality 1st!) materials then setup time
schedules for the shop and customers.
3. Use the computer and plotter systems to
print vinyl, cut vinyl and draw plans or patterns.
4. Weed vinyl (remove excess vinyl around or
in vinyl to be applied). Tape vinyl (apply transfer tape to the
surface of the weeded vinyl to prepare for transference to
surface receiving the lettering & or graphics). Cut/separate
vinyl into appropriate sections, Mark all centers and any other
helpful marks onto the pre-applied transfer tape. Make sure to
do as much preparation as possible to minimize time of
application.
Note: The above steps
are all to be done by a highly trained professional with
specialized equipment and that this guide states them only to
give the reader the perspective not only of what goes into the
graphics they are about to apply, but also to clarify the
guide's final purpose, which is to teach those who wish to learn
some simple techniques to do an excellent job applying vinyl
lettering and graphics themselves. If you wish to get more
involved in the step listed above just call me or another
qualified Sign Writer and set up an appointment. Don't forget to
show up bearing very expensive gifts=).
Now there's a reason
I'm still writing in the "Layout" chapter of this guide. This
reason is that the final application of any vinyl graphics must
concern the consideration of the surface of & space shape it is
to be applied to. I'll start by listing the materials & tools
needed to prepare the surface and apply said vinyl.
1. Your copy of "The New Craftsman's Vinyl
Installation Guide". Keep it handy, it can help you do the
best job possible!
2. Cleaners are a bit of a trick.
Surface contamination such as tar, wax, oil, grease, salt
residue, bugs, tree sap, bird dropping etc. are all made up of
all sorts of tough contaminates which can compromise your
graphics installation. The only way to resolve this problem is
to make sure you've cleaned the surface very thoroughly.
Certain solvents can be very
caustic and hurt the finish of your surface so read all labels
and directions well before using them to prep your surface. I
tend to stick with such products as Kleenz Easy (sold at
Napa parts stores) or any comparable product used to remove wax
or grease from painted surfaces as your first wash. Use these
sparingly. Rinse with water well after each cleaning,
Take your time here and do a good job, it make a big difference.
For the second wash I use alcohol and or soap and
water. Again rinse well and in the case of alcohol make sure
to buff the surface to remove any excess residue.
3. A Stabilo pencil (available at any
art supply store) or other light grease pencil though stabilos
are the standard and my recommendation. If you have a white
Stabilo pencil and a blue Stabilo pencil you'll no doubt have
all you need in most cases. Always press lightly and clean off
exposed makes on completion. Leaving lines on too long can make
them very hard to remove later. Don't use black, they can leave
marks on rare occasion.
4. A good wooden yardstick. Use wood
only to protect the surface from scratching. A tape measure can
be useful as well but must be used with caution as to not mar
surfaces.
5. A Squeegee in the vinyl application
field is unlike one you might use for cleaning a window. It's
(as a standard) an approximately 3.5" to 4" plastic tool used to
press the vinyl down to the surface (I'll tell more about this
tool later in the guide).
6. Masking tape. Get the good kind.
cheap masking tape can lead adhesives behind and cause problems.
7. Application fluid is used in certain
instances which I will illustrate later in the guide. There are
many brands available on the market though almost everyone uses
a large utility spray bottle filled with water and One (that is
1) drop of dish soap added. Shake well and let sit in advance.
8. Some good, clean, lint free rags.
9. An Exacto knife or a razor blade.
Make sure the blade is new and sharp.
10. A scrap or two of extra vinyl in
the correct colors for the job your doing.
Don't let this list
distract you. I'm very sure you'll be able to collect these
things more easily then you might think.
On considering
applying your vinyl you should first take a few thing in mind.
Make sure that the temperature of your work area is between 40
and 90 degrees. Below 40 degrees the adhesives are to cold to
work well. (a heat gun used sparingly can overcome this if its
39 degrees, but don't push it). Over 90 degrees the
application fluid can evaporate and make things problematic. You
might have to resort to a dry application although this may not
be possible in certain applications. Consult a professional.
Another consideration is the workspace. Make sure you have a
large clean table or other flat surface to work from as well as
helpful things like low stools, A-frame ladders & or planks to
help you get face to face with your work the job. It is an
understated fact when installing vinyl lettering and graphics
that you must make an effort to have a head on view as you
apply. Proper alignment and straightness counts. Lastly keep
your work area clean as you go along. You'll find it makes for a
better job. Oh! one more thing... the Wind! If you're outside or
exposed in any way to the outside make sure its not to windy.
Wind can blow up dust, cause you to loose grip on your vinyl
during application and cause alignment issues. A very
experienced vinyl installer can apply in a wind but it make it
very difficult.
Now that we got the logistics out
of the way its time to get to work. After thoroughly cleaning
your surface comes the time to add layout lines. Depending in
the area you're applying the vinyl to you may have to implement
certain rules and considerations. There are so many varieties of
surfaces that one might apply vinyl lettering and graphics to
it's impossible to state them all. With sign faces and other
standard surfaces we often are presented with rectangular or
square shapes to work with. The vinyl graphics you have must be
pre-designed to fit accurately or at least generally into the
area, though some spaces can be somewhat enigmatic. Consider the
case of vehicle doors, window and even the entire side surface.
When approaching surfaces such as this we notice that there are
many associated curves, lines, curving lines and obstructions
such as handles, locks and latches. There are also other
important things to note such as the angle of the vehicle itself
to the ground. Many vehicles tend to be lower in front then in
back. This is where making a good decision is imperative and
where you the vinyl installer must focus you attention to the
layout. I'll call this the "final layout". It can change and
will from one side of a vehicle to the other. It can need to
bend over an arching glass surface and more. Considering these
variables is without a doubt your biggest challenge. Discussing
these issues with you're Sign Writer can help in every tricky
case but in the following passages of this chapter I'll try to
address most of the issues.
To complete the final
layout you will be drawing marks & lines using your Stabilo
pencils and measuring devices (wooden yardstick). As a first
step I often recommend that you use your masking tape to
temporarily place you vinyl. Do not remove vinyl from the
backing paper at this point. This step is only to establish
final placement and give visual cues so that you can accommodate
any angles or obstructions before the final placement. If your
surface in poorly painted or has recently been re-painted use
low tack tape and don't press it down to hard. A gentle hand is
a great thing for a vinyl installation in almost every instance.
Upon establishing the
placement of your vinyl make marks to indicate the bottom of the
outermost (left & right) flat bottomed letters and make
reference marks to remind you which lines of copy go on which
lines as shown in Image #3 below. Remove the vinyl and
connect any points to create the final placement lines, not
forgetting to write gently. Note: if the surface you are working
on is curved you may have to arch the copy to accommodate the
curve and if there are multiple lines of stacked copy you may
have to gradually "un-curve" the lines as the come down in
sequence, Reference Image #4. An artist would say that
here you must practice "artist license" which would be to
visually give and take the space to achieve the proper
appearance. Do your best to use your measurements to keep the
lines equally or more so appropriately spaced above and below.
This is often the case when lettering the rear windows of mini
vans and SUVs. Just make sure to place your marks and lines
accordingly & I'll explain how to apply that vinyl soon.
