Cut vinyl or a durable sticker?

[Tony Rome]

Hey, I need some advice.
I need a low cost durable either cut vinyl decal or a printed one color sticker laminated that would be contour cut.
It is for a customer that has a fleet of farm equipment and it needs to be durable.
I think cut vinyl is the way to go but they may order 500-1000 and I can't see us sitting here weeding, cutting taping off all of those in house...but maybe I need to re-think that.
Or, is there an online supplier I can order form wholesale?

As far as a sticker goes, I have to believe there is a special laminate that holds up better than the regular ones, or a better vinyl to print on?
Or, am I just using a god cast and a good thin laminate?

Sorry, I know it is a lot.
Thanks for any help.
Size is 5" x 2" could be one color white.

 

[rjssigns]

I'd use cut vinyl. Just break up the order into a hundred or so at a time so you don't go blind. LOL We used to do cut lettering for a motorsports dealer that had some tiny text and they were white. Good grief that was hard on the eyes.

We got smart though. If there was a lull at the shop I'd cut a ton of them to be weeded whenever which eventually built up stock. No issues from that point forward.

 

[reQ]

I'd use cut vinyl. Just break up the order into a hundred or so at a time so you don't go blind.

THIS. When i do dealership bumper decals i would go nuts if i would be doing them for hours straight lol

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

If you print and cut don't you still have to weed? Will they just be ovals or something if you print and cut? Sounds like you could do 1000 pretty quick if it were printed. Also I don't see a lot of people practicing this but why not when you make a lot of cut vinyl put a weed box around it so you can do them separately. That way you will find the rhythm to weed them.

 

[nikdoobs]

Depends on the complexity of the artwork

 

[rjssigns]

Depends on the complexity of the artwork

Yupper^^^

Although if you use a product like 3M Electrocut while employing the "Manic Weeding" method they can go quite well. It's all a judgement call on what material to use.

For finely detailed work I will spend the premium Electrocut commands because it makes my life easier.

 

[fresh]

I'd use cut vinyl. Just break up the order into a hundred or so at a time so you don't go blind. LOL We used to do cut lettering for a motorsports dealer that had some tiny text and they were white. Good grief that was hard on the eyes.

We got smart though. If there was a lull at the shop I'd cut a ton of them to be weeded whenever which eventually built up stock. No issues from that point forward.

Avery uses a blue tinted backer on their white vinyl, so its easy to see what you are doing.

 

[CreatedDesigns]

It's to bad that the blue backing is only visible after you pull the vinyl off......

 

[S'N'S]

It's to bad that the blue backing is only visible after you pull the vinyl off......

Yeah, I had to do 1000 car club stickers and the the blue backing didn't help at all.....just need real good lighting to show up the cut lines.
Tony, depending on how complex/easy they are, 1000 doesn't take long, (small fonts with serifs around the 10mm or smaller are a PITA), larger fonts cut at the right depth will weed in large lots, just take the time to set the cutter right and really pays off when weeding. Weed one lot while the next is cutting and you will get thru them in no time as you will get quicker.

 

[Tony Rome]

Thanks guys, this has been a huge help. I found a company online that does it wholesale, but I think I may just keep that money and do it myself, there are only 3 picks, so it is sort of an easy one.
I appreciate you all helping me make my decision an easier one.

 

[S'N'S]

Tony, I also use the paper type application tape with RLA as it will not curl away from the backing, this makes it much better if you are cutting into individual stickers as it wont lift.

 

[Tony Rome]

OK, so, again, thanks for all your help.
Now, I decided, I will do it myself, however, I ordered Avery 700 and I have to say there is no way I could pick this, most of the little stuff will not stay down, it comes up with the initial pick.
Is there something better for smaller pieces, something thicker or easier to weed?
I cut this same exact design on T-shirt white film, peeled EASILY, that is a lot thicker than sign vinyl.
Any advice?
I tested various cut pressure as well.

 

[J Hill Designs]

I would use 3m electrocut (7725) with the clear plastic liner - you can cut deeper without fear of the backer ripping up when weeding

 

[Tony Rome]

I would use 3m electrocut (7725) with the clear plastic liner - you can cut deeper without fear of the backer ripping up when weeding

I saw that...soooo expensive.