browntodde
New Member
Hey Gang:
I am new here and to the industry so please forgive my ignorance and the slightly odd-ball nature of this post. Though not in the sign biz per se, I am producing consumer products using digital printing materials and methods and could use some advice on how to best proceed with what seems like an endless amount of decisions I need to make. If things take off, I may invest in the required equipment to make these products in house but time will tell. That said, as I educate myself about this world of digital printing and such, I can see how complex it is and how it requires considerable skill and talent so I may just keep continue to outsource since it will probably take many years to become competent much less proficient.
The product is a steel disk about 9" in diameter to which I want to apply digitally printed vinyl so the disk looks like a food product (ie a pizza). In addition, I am making custom magnets to go on the 'pizza' that will look like pepperoni slices. These will stick to the pizza and need to be slid around the surface.
I am initially looking to outsource this work (perhaps to one of you fine folks here) and could use help making sure I am giving my vendors all the required information so they can properly bid and I can make sure I am getting apples-to-apples quotes. I would like the final product to have a matte finish and be able to withstand the 'abuse' of the magnets sliding across the surface. Other than that, it doesn't have to endure harsh conditions like sunlight or weather.
For the 'pizza', I am fairly certain I want to use air-release material such as 3M 180C, 3M 35C or Oracal 3165RA to aid in the application. From my initial research it seems like the 35C will be the best option in terms of cost, workability and availability from most vendors but am of course open to suggestions. I would also like a suggestion on laminate as this seems to be a less agreed upon option within the community. Again, I just need the laminate to protect against the sliding magnets and handling of the disk, nothing too severe. I am curious how gloss vs. matte finish works between vinyl and laminate choices. In other words, if I use a gloss vinyl but matte laminate, is the end result more glossy or matte(y)?
In terms of application, my plan is to have the vinyl cut lightly larger than the steel discs then cut off the excess after applying the vinyl. Does this make sense or should I have them cut exactly to size then learn how to accurately apply to the steel?
Finally, when sending this out for quotes, should I ask for specifics in terms of printers and inks being used? I have seen some initial wide variance in pricing which makes me think I may not be looking at all of the aspects of this that I should be. Am I missing anything else? How do you folks that are service providers like to have requests for this type of thing come to you in order to make the process as simple as possible?
I appreciate the help and advice and hope to give back in some way as things get going for me with this venture.
Thanks!!!
Todd
I am new here and to the industry so please forgive my ignorance and the slightly odd-ball nature of this post. Though not in the sign biz per se, I am producing consumer products using digital printing materials and methods and could use some advice on how to best proceed with what seems like an endless amount of decisions I need to make. If things take off, I may invest in the required equipment to make these products in house but time will tell. That said, as I educate myself about this world of digital printing and such, I can see how complex it is and how it requires considerable skill and talent so I may just keep continue to outsource since it will probably take many years to become competent much less proficient.
The product is a steel disk about 9" in diameter to which I want to apply digitally printed vinyl so the disk looks like a food product (ie a pizza). In addition, I am making custom magnets to go on the 'pizza' that will look like pepperoni slices. These will stick to the pizza and need to be slid around the surface.
I am initially looking to outsource this work (perhaps to one of you fine folks here) and could use help making sure I am giving my vendors all the required information so they can properly bid and I can make sure I am getting apples-to-apples quotes. I would like the final product to have a matte finish and be able to withstand the 'abuse' of the magnets sliding across the surface. Other than that, it doesn't have to endure harsh conditions like sunlight or weather.
For the 'pizza', I am fairly certain I want to use air-release material such as 3M 180C, 3M 35C or Oracal 3165RA to aid in the application. From my initial research it seems like the 35C will be the best option in terms of cost, workability and availability from most vendors but am of course open to suggestions. I would also like a suggestion on laminate as this seems to be a less agreed upon option within the community. Again, I just need the laminate to protect against the sliding magnets and handling of the disk, nothing too severe. I am curious how gloss vs. matte finish works between vinyl and laminate choices. In other words, if I use a gloss vinyl but matte laminate, is the end result more glossy or matte(y)?
In terms of application, my plan is to have the vinyl cut lightly larger than the steel discs then cut off the excess after applying the vinyl. Does this make sense or should I have them cut exactly to size then learn how to accurately apply to the steel?
Finally, when sending this out for quotes, should I ask for specifics in terms of printers and inks being used? I have seen some initial wide variance in pricing which makes me think I may not be looking at all of the aspects of this that I should be. Am I missing anything else? How do you folks that are service providers like to have requests for this type of thing come to you in order to make the process as simple as possible?
I appreciate the help and advice and hope to give back in some way as things get going for me with this venture.
Thanks!!!
Todd
