Trailer Graphics (newbie)

[Goatshaver]

I mainly do die cut stickers and labels. Some larger stickers but I've never done anything this large for a trailer before.
It's a bit out of my comfort zone, but I'd really like to get experience doing more car graphic work.

What things should I watch out for when doing trailers like this? I have no tools to install and not sure if the customer was going to do it themselves or have me do it.
What would be some best practices for basic applications and getting graphics ready for installs on this?

I don't carry any cast material and would most likely use Substance 2755 with 3150 overlaminate.

Thanks!

 

[unclebun]

When lettering a trailer like that you have to decide how to deal with the rows of screws. When doing cut vinyl or print and cut vinyl, our preference is to remove the screws where the vinyl will go, install the graphic, then reinstall the screws. The screws use a #2 square bit. They are very easy to strip out, so make sure your bit is not worn and be very careful to fully insert the bit into the screw head, maintain firm pressure, and use very judicious pressure on the trigger of your impact so you don't turn too fast and jump out of the square.

You're going to need a lot better pictures of the trailer than that to design for a pain-free installation. Square up the camera to the trailer. No angled photos.

 

[GraphixGirl79]

I mainly do die cut stickers and labels. Some larger stickers but I've never done anything this large for a trailer before.
It's a bit out of my comfort zone, but I'd really like to get experience doing more car graphic work.

What things should I watch out for when doing trailers like this? I have no tools to install and not sure if the customer was going to do it themselves or have me do it.
What would be some best practices for basic applications and getting graphics ready for installs on this?

I don't carry any cast material and would most likely use Substance 2755 with 3150 overlaminate.

Thanks!

That trailer looks like a rivetless body from quick glance. Make sure you have a good squeegee on hand if your graphics are going to be "premasked" or covered with a release liner, if not, the you'll need a nice soft felt squeegee so you don't scratch the graphics when applying. We do trailers all the time, from rivetless to skins with rivots or screws. screws you can take out, but the rivots you have to lay the vinyl over, having a good air release aids in application, but if you don't have that then just be diligent around the rivots if any. Image One Impact has all sorts of goodies and tools for installation. A good squeegee, blue grease pencil, some masking tape and a good tape measure are pretty much the basic tools required for installation. For graphic designing, you will want full measurements of each side that you are putting graphics on, with as straight on photos as possible. Good luck!

www.image1impact.com

 

[Goatshaver]

When lettering a trailer like that you have to decide how to deal with the rows of screws. When doing cut vinyl or print and cut vinyl, our preference is to remove the screws where the vinyl will go, install the graphic, then reinstall the screws. The screws use a #2 square bit. They are very easy to strip out, so make sure your bit is not worn and be very careful to fully insert the bit into the screw head, maintain firm pressure, and use very judicious pressure on the trigger of your impact so you don't turn too fast and jump out of the square.

You're going to need a lot better pictures of the trailer than that to design for a pain-free installation. Square up the camera to the trailer. No angled photos.

I think I may do a mix of both really. They want letter but they also want a graphic. I plan on going to see the trailer so I can get better pics and measurements on the trailer.

That trailer looks like a rivetless body from quick glance. Make sure you have a good squeegee on hand if your graphics are going to be "premasked" or covered with a release liner, if not, the you'll need a nice soft felt squeegee so you don't scratch the graphics when applying. We do trailers all the time, from rivetless to skins with rivots or screws. screws you can take out, but the rivots you have to lay the vinyl over, having a good air release aids in application, but if you don't have that then just be diligent around the rivots if any. Image One Impact has all sorts of goodies and tools for installation. A good squeegee, blue grease pencil, some masking tape and a good tape measure are pretty much the basic tools required for installation. For graphic designing, you will want full measurements of each side that you are putting graphics on, with as straight on photos as possible. Good luck!

www.image1impact.com

I've got a soft sided squeegee I can use. I'd like to pre-mask it but I'd have to buy some wide masking tape. Only have 18" wide tape right now. Unless you can use multiple lines of tape to mask one print. Not sure if that's good practice or not.
I'm going to watch some install videos to give me more idea on application.
Can you recommend a good application tape? I have some Briteline application tape.

 

[weyandsign]

You can do multiple lines of tape, just try to keep the overlaps thin as possible. Smooth wall trailers like this are easy to do. Just remove the screws where the decals are going. Use the hinge method for installing (masking tape down the center, peel and squeegee half of the decal at a time) Then slice the decal down the seams of the trailer after they are applied, then put the screws back in.

 

[Stacey K]

This is a great starter project! Do what everyone else said. I'm not familiar with the vinyl you are using but if you wanted to order the printed graphics from FireSprint or Signs365 you certainly could.

- Go to the hardware store or Amazon and get a few extra screws. Almost always, you will lose one or you remove a rusty one. I have at times replaced a couple extras if they are rusty even if they aren't in my graphic area, just because I want a good photo and it just drives me nuts lol

- You could also use a Big Squeegee on this - if you have one. Would go super quick.

- If you can, have them drop it off one morning and pick up the next afternoon. Allow yourself plenty of time in case you make a mistake and need to reprint, etc. You don't want to rush your first install!

 

[GraphixGirl79]

I think I may do a mix of both really. They want letter but they also want a graphic. I plan on going to see the trailer so I can get better pics and measurements on the trailer.


I've got a soft sided squeegee I can use. I'd like to pre-mask it but I'd have to buy some wide masking tape. Only have 18" wide tape right now. Unless you can use multiple lines of tape to mask one print. Not sure if that's good practice or not.
I'm going to watch some install videos to give me more idea on application.
Can you recommend a good application tape? I have some Briteline application tape.

You can use multiple lines, but sometimes where the joins are will cause "seam bubbles", so i wouldn't recommend it. We use TAC Master plus transfer tape. We are in Canada though so we get the brand that's available to us. It's probably a 3M product though.

 

[Goatshaver]

I was thinking they wanted some 4 color graphics but they just want cut vinyl. I have Orcal 651, would that be good enough for a trailer or should I look into some 751?
Here's what I'm doing for the back. Size is 35" x 26.5 right now. Thinking it'll be 3 pieces.

Any tricks on getting things aligned correctly? I saw someone put a couple of squares on each piece to match up to for alignment when they tacked up the vinyl.

Trailer definitely has screws in it with that star head it appears. I'm assuming taking some of these screws out might be necessary.

 

[Stacey K]

I was thinking they wanted some 4 color graphics but they just want cut vinyl. I have Orcal 651, would that be good enough for a trailer or should I look into some 751?
Here's what I'm doing for the back. Size is 35" x 26.5 right now. Thinking it'll be 3 pieces.

Any tricks on getting things aligned correctly? I saw someone put a couple of squares on each piece to match up to for alignment when they tacked up the vinyl.

Trailer definitely has screws in it with that star head it appears. I'm assuming taking some of these screws out might be necessary.

751 is cast and that's what should be used over the 651

Yes - make some squares to match things up for alignment then just remove when you are done. OR you can dry apply the first layer then wet apply the second and third layer, you can also get clear masking.

Yes - remove the screws just where the decal is going. Your decal is pretty small. If you had multiple large decals then I would say just remove the screws piece by piece.