I recently had a request to create a pair of N numbers for a helicopter. We've done boat registrations previously, but no aviation numbers. They asked for black (plotted) or silver with black shadow (assume digital print with lamination). Does anyone have an idea of what type of vinyl to use? Does it have to be high grade wrap vinyl? Special vinyl for aviation? I haven't found anything online yet. Thanks in advance. Scott
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Question What type of material to Create Helicopter (or Aviation) N numbers?
- Thread starter zebradog
- Start date
3m IJ180
Nickprints
New Member
There are companies that specialize in Aviation wraps. That being said, I do not work for one of them. Id advise to look into what they are using and Id assume you would want something UV protected with High Tac
Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?
New Member
Orajet 3967AC with Oraguard 293AC laminate is the correct Orafol media and laminate for aviation applications. For 3M products, you would want 3M A7706 or A7322 with a liquid clear coat. I believe the 3M products are screen print compatible only, whereas the Orafol offerings are inkjet compatible.
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d fleming
Premium Subscriber
Depending on what the use is. I have done plane #s just so they can move it around between hangers using cheap easily removeable vinyl and supplied paint mask for when they are doing the permanent rendition. RTA vinyl graphics are usually supplied for instructions, id, etc for interior. Paint seems to be the order of the day for the planes we have done. I've done a fed x plane but was all paper pounce patterns for large exterior graphic..
Thank you all who replied. I greatly appreciate it. As this potential customer seems to be in a hurry, and we are not really experienced with the aviation field, I think I will tell him we'll pass. I think this is a one-off aviation related job and after reading the SDG Mag artical (thanks IDB SIgns), it would probably be more trouble than it's worth.
You all are great! Thanks again.
You all are great! Thanks again.
White Haus
Not a Newbie
Well done, knowing when to say no thanks.
I'm personally done with aviation related graphics after sending a "friend" a $4k invoice after installing new stripes and graphics on his plane, only for him to complain that it was "too expensive".
Sure wasn't too expensive when he was bragging to everyone about it in the hangar while I was working on a Sunday.
Lesson learned, never again!!
Putting the numbers on an airplane or helicopter is a simple job (except for the ladders/walkboard if it's a tall plane). Just use high performance cast vinyl. Even for the silver with a black shadow. I cannot believe how the advent of printers has so seriously dumbed down the sign industry. All anybody thinks about is wrap, wrap, wrap. There's more to signs than wrapping.
