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I partially agree with this, which is why I told my customer I felt there were parts I definitely felt the letters didn't need to touch. I don't want to question their policies, but for me, I'd inset all of the copy .015" or something like that to take this into consideration. They might have...

As I said, I didn't design the copy, pick the layout, or pick the font. They sent me something from their designer, that had already gone through approval stages. I assumed they were okay with it / liked it. 5-10 Years ago, I'd mention the problems and try to work with them. Now as soon as I...

Gemini said they wouldn't even promise a 1/32" etch. I have a few samples of their work and the paint is basically at surface level. Since this is a floor tile, there's no way the paint is surviving with regular traffic under those circumstances. Putting it a little deeper it should last...

I've done these sorts of projects through Gemini and had them quote it out but I didn't use them because they didn't passivate, wouldn't etch deeper, and were more expensive. I also have an etched SS panel in my shop that Gemini got wrong in a similar way. Everything was blown out, especially...

Inflation happens. We've just seen significant inflation due to the fall out from Covid combined with corporate greed. Generally speaking, the only solution to this sort of problem is attacking the problem from multiple directions. There's no one solution. Regarding raises, there's no one...

Most of my headaches come from outsourcing decent sized jobs. Any thoughts on this one? Early fall 2023, a new customer wants a large stainless tile etched (about 2ft x 4ft). I find a new supplier because they'll etch deeper than the usual ones I deal with and I don't think 1/32" is deep...

If I had to guess, it's either painted PVC or HDU. I'm leaning towards HDU. It could be painted acrylic, but I have my doubts because it's such a flat finish and typically if it's acrylic, it's provided by someone like Gemini who uses more of a gloss finish. As for the job, if they're cheap...

For the last 20 years, specifically dealing with municipalities, but it generally applies to everyone, the process has been Quote/Estimate -> Receive Purchase Order - > Invoice -> Deliver Goods -> Payment. All of a sudden, several people I do business with are telling me they can't use a...

It could be. The sheen seems pretty consistent between the letters and material which is why I went with sublimation. But it just shows that we both do this sort of thing every day and there's no way with 100% confidence we can say what this is.

There's a plugin on the Sawmillcreek forum for CorelDraw which does ADA. I tried it and found it to be wrong in several ways but it's doubtful anyone will give a crap. If you're not doing a ton of it, download the braille font online. Find out what size font sets the braille the correct...

1. The holders are probably unavailable due to JRS going out of business. So that's problematic. 2. I don't get why people insist on taking such bad pictures. The only thing I can tell from that picture is it's not engraved and it's some sort of gold brushed material. Beyond that, it could...

Assuming the hold down is good, you want to cut aluminum at about 80-150ips. RPM will be about 18,000 on a o-flute. About half that on a 2-flute. I'd do a full depth of cut. .04" aluminum is not thick. I'd also go with a 3/16" bit or bigger. You can use 1/8" 2 flute bits but small o-flute...

This is the benefit of 12MM letters. You can back cut them on the CNC and drill for studs at the same time. Then you just have to screw the studs directly in. No tapping necessary. Assuming you're cutting the MDF/Extira backer panel, you can also have the CNC drill out for the studs at the...

It's probably laser cut, two different pieces, and then glued together. Pretty common way of doing push through acrylic letters.

When it comes to acrylic there are a few ways to go about this. 1. Accept a machine finish. You could improve your finish by doing a finishing pass at full depth, but it still won't be perfect. 2. Switch to a laser cutter. 3. "Manually polish". I've never thought much of flame polishing...

Look into the Vectric software options and Fusion360. Enroute isn't cheap.

Any reason not to do engraved inserts like you'd typically see for these applications? Cost per piece will be higher than printed aluminum from Signs365 but they should last 2-3x longer in this sort of application.

Your answer should be: "Hi, I've looked into this and I'm sorry but I cannot accommodate this change. I reached out to several people in hopes I could find someone to help with this but cannot. We do not have the capabilities to provide that finish in-house. The two options I can offer at...

1. Their numbers suck. I think it's changed a bit recently, but "old school" sign guys often were either artists or tradesman. They ran their business like a job. So while some made decent or even good livings, they were putting in a lot of hours to get there. A lot of people run their...

A cheap and easy rule of thumb for bang for your buck: Cutting = Chinese. Engraving = "US". Chinese machines engrave slowly but you can get a high wattage tube and a big table for a fraction of the cost of a "US" machine. As for setup, they're all basically What You See is What You Engrave...