322 5" x 7" signs needed

[Angela]

I very well may be in the wrong forum, if so my apologies. I'm sure Fred will guide me to where I need to be, sorry Fred.

I have a customer that needs 322 individually numbered oval car port signs, 5" x 7". I have some ideas of how I can do this, but they suck.

Anybody out there have any advice?

I am thinking aluminum?

 

[Gino]

Aluminum composite, pre-cut by someone with a CNC machine and either die-cut vinyl applied or as mentioned a digital print applied and trimmed.

 

[Angela]

yea, but that is sooooooo much work

 

[Malkin]

I would print/laminate (or cut/weed/tape) and apply in whole sheets to .040 or 3mm ACM (butt fit together, not spaced out), then haul across town to a friends shop with a step shear to split apart into individual pieces.

 

[Angela]

Pat you are absolutely right. Remember in my initial message, I said I have an idea but it sucks? Your first suggestion WAS my idea, but it's soooooo much work, hence the sucking part.

My mind keeps going to silk screening? I mean BOOM! DONE!!!

 

[Angela]

"a step shear to split apart into individual pieces."

But oval?

 

[J Hill Designs]

My mind keeps going to silk screening? I mean BOOM! DONE!!!

so 322 different screens to burn?

 

[Gino]

sooooooo much work

I really hope you're doing this with tongue in cheek.

Work never hurt anyone and if you wanna land some nice accounts, it sometimes takes a little more than just setting all your ducks in a line and expect to be paid for just masterminding something.

With one person, you could do all of the cutting, weeding and applying in less than 8 hours. Seriously. Just set up a jig and you'd have it done in no time.


Reason I know this is, we have two separate customers where we do literally 450 to 550 two sided 4" x 16" oval signs and it's done in a day's time. Each one says something different. There might be a few duplicates, but it still has to be weeded and cut and laid down one at a time. When we did the first batch, we thought it would take a few days. We developed basically an assembly line approach and have it down pat.

 

[Angela]

sooooooo much work

I really hope you're doing this with tongue in cheek.

OH yea this is tongue in cheek :Big Laugh

I was just really, really hoping for someone to give me an easy way out.

Please know that all of the guidance that is given is always very appreciated.

 

[Malkin]

"a step shear to split apart into individual pieces."

But oval?

Hah! Yep that would be a fancy shear alright....

Sorry I missed that detail.

I would send out for CNC cut blanks, then apply vinyl on my bench 1 at a time. I would probably setup a little jig system so I don't have any trouble lining them up.

 

[Mosh]

I would cut an oval jig in 3/4 plywood and use that as a temple to router out the blanks from 3m composite. then vinyl letters. Don't forget to punch a couple holes for mounting. I have done plenty of jobs this way.

Shaped blanks set shops apart....

 

[Angela]

So you're saying my idea sucks!!!??? lol

NOT EVEN Pat!!! You da man Your posts are always helpful!!

 

[Angela]

[QUOTE so 322 different screens to burn?[/QUOTE]

Yes I know, but like I said I was thinking, no wait HOPING!

 

[Pat Whatley]

Method 1: Have aluminum composite routed/water jetted to oval. Apply graphics. Not as much work as it sounds. You can probably find somebody local but if not www.bettersigns.com offers several material options.

Method 2: Sub it out to somebody like Georgia Printco. Have them direct print to aluminum composite or (even better) 3/8" PVC and route to shape. No work at all for you.

Method 3: Have somebody route the ovals, and route the letters into the ovals. Paint them. More work, much longer lasting and better look.

 

[Angela]

Method 2: Sub it out to somebody like Georgia Printco. Have them direct print to aluminum composite or (even better) 3/8" PVC and route to shape. No work at all for you.
.

Method 2, I like method 2! But do you think 3/8" PVC is a good choice for an outdoor application, I mean we are talkin' major sun exposure.

 

[fixtureman]

I would use Diebond and engrave the numbers.

 

[John Butto]

These are made in the USA. It also has the attachment for stamping any shape you need. Just paypal me $10 for building plans.

 

[Rick]

I would not trust a digital print sign if exposed to the sun in Temecula...

I would expect 3 years max out of it. I would use vinyl, second surface
on non-glare acrylic, and backspray the field color.

 

[Pat Whatley]

The PVC I'd trust completely and I like the appearance of the added thickness. The printing--three to five years.

Personally if I was doing it I'd try to get them to go with painted PVC and vinyl graphics but I do like Rick's idea of back painted acrylic.

 

[visual800]

if it were my job? Id have the ovals waterjet out of .063 and lay them out ot paint and put vinyl on them. Yep its gonna take some work but you could kick out quite a few in one day

 

[Typestries]

All of the suggested methods are valid. Who said the sign business isn't work?
That being said—the flatbed and router suggestion would be my method of choice since we have the equipment to do it. Not sure how much money you have in this, but printing them on PVC, routing to shape and pre-drilling holes, and liquid clearing them would give you a 5+ year product that looks great.

 

[SignProPlus-Alex]

1/4 King colorcore hdpe. just route them and you are done. More expansive but less labor.

 

[Typestries]

King colorcore-GREAT idea! I always forget about that stuff.