Need advice on vinyl lettering signage

[Pideas]

I'm a newbie to cut vinyl lettering. I have a Summa cutter and plan to use Oracal 631 vinyl. This will be my first time applying cut vinyl lettering.

I'm creating a sign for a company and there are three colors to the signage. I plan to cut the vinyl (reverse) and apply it to the second surface of the 3/16" acrylic sheet. What's the best way to apply the vinyl to the acrylic ensuring that it's straight and lined up?

 

[GVP]

You do know that 631 is a short term (3yr) exhibition grade material?

 

[2B]

You can measure out the alignment
you can place registration marks for alignment

Since you are 2nd surface mounting and using acrylic, how do you plan to mount this sign?
Also, 2nd Surface mounts, especially on a clear substrate, are more prone to show installation errors.


YouTube is a way to see different methods for applications like wet, dry, measurements, etc.

 

[studio 440]

I'm a newbie to cut vinyl lettering. I have a Summa cutter and plan to use Oracal 631 vinyl. This will be my first time applying cut vinyl lettering.

I'm creating a sign for a company and there are three colors to the signage. I plan to cut the vinyl (reverse) and apply it to the second surface of the 3/16" acrylic sheet. What's the best way to apply the vinyl to the acrylic ensuring that it's straight and lined up?

View attachment 139493

ruler or tape measure ?

 

[Gino]

Where or how is this sign being installed ?? Is there a reason, it hasta be reversed ??

 

[unclebun]

 

[Johnny Best]

After you put your transfer paper on over the letters take a straight edge and with a pencil draw a straight line under your copy. Use that line to measure from the top down to get it straight. Same with top and bottom copy, your black bar does not need a line drawn because it is a line already.

 

[Pideas]

Where or how is this sign being installed ?? Is there a reason, it hasta be reversed ??

I'm printing on 2nd surface so lettering will need to be reverse cut.

The sign will be installed with 6 standoffs (3 top/3 bottom).

 

[Pideas]

Thanks, this video is helpful.

 

[ddarlak]

please please please post a pic after install.

i can't wait...

 

[DerbyCitySignGuy]

We just drop a couple of squares in the top corners so we can align to the substrate. Very easy.

 

[Johnny Best]

We just drop a couple of squares in the top corners so we can align to the substrate. Very easy.

Have seen this method also used for alining multiple colors of vinyl but if the substrate, in this case acrylic, is large it waste vinyl. I also put center lines on transfer paper to help everything line up better

 

[DerbyCitySignGuy]

Have seen this method also used for alining multiple colors of vinyl but if the substrate, in this case acrylic, is large it waste vinyl. I also put center lines on transfer paper to help everything line up better

Absolutely. We do something similar to what you mentioned for larger pieces. We add a line just above the copy and use it to measure.

 

[MikePro]

big fan of cutting lines of copy with a square-box around it for easy measurement, especially round/seriff lettering that may have a wicked mix of descenders that don't give you a proper square-line to measure from.
it also helps keep your transfer mask from lifting-off the backing paper prior to your application.
I would even cut a box around that straight line, as it gives some space for you to tape-hinge onto as well as space for you to handle the graphic as you're applying without getting your greasy hands on the vinyl adhesive.

*transfer mask, hinge top, slit between blocks of lettering if you wish to only apply smaller portions at a time.
*wet apply if you can, second surface shows EVERY imperfection in your application.
*learn to apply vinyl with that crappy calendared stuff. use CAST vinyl for your clients unless its specifially for a temporary project or they simply want down&dirty cheap.

 

[rossmosh]

Switch to P95 and do a 1st surface install. It's going to look better, install better, and save you a lot of time and energy.