bruce_brakel
Newbie
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 37
1. Sign vinyl tends to leave a residue that is difficult to remove. Automotive masking vinyl removes clean. I use the automotive.
2. Fixed and swivel both work fine. I've used both.
3. If you can cut the vinyl without cutting the paper, that works best, but I cannot do that by hand. Plotters can do that.
4. Cutting on the disc is going to leave little scratch lines. Cut gently for that and they won't be noticeable. Cutting off the disc means you'll need transfer paper, and/or will have to do really simple designs.
Other stuff: Masking vinyl does not store well for a long time. The adhesive degrades. Use it or lose it. For some designs, you can use wide electrical tape. It adheres better than sign vinyl but leaves no residue. Be sure to press the vinyl tight to the disc and watch out for bubbles. Work the bubbles out by pressing towards the edge, if you can, or into the middle if you can't. Don't stretch the vinyl. It will pull back really slowly and let the dye do stupid stuff. If you are removing hot stamps, Discraft stamps deep and you'll get bleed lines along the stamp lines. Innova stamps lighter. I don't really know about the other 37 manufacturers.
2. Fixed and swivel both work fine. I've used both.
3. If you can cut the vinyl without cutting the paper, that works best, but I cannot do that by hand. Plotters can do that.
4. Cutting on the disc is going to leave little scratch lines. Cut gently for that and they won't be noticeable. Cutting off the disc means you'll need transfer paper, and/or will have to do really simple designs.
Other stuff: Masking vinyl does not store well for a long time. The adhesive degrades. Use it or lose it. For some designs, you can use wide electrical tape. It adheres better than sign vinyl but leaves no residue. Be sure to press the vinyl tight to the disc and watch out for bubbles. Work the bubbles out by pressing towards the edge, if you can, or into the middle if you can't. Don't stretch the vinyl. It will pull back really slowly and let the dye do stupid stuff. If you are removing hot stamps, Discraft stamps deep and you'll get bleed lines along the stamp lines. Innova stamps lighter. I don't really know about the other 37 manufacturers.
I'm gonna try cutting my own stencil- couple questions.
Is Orcal 651 the best vinyl to use? (this stuff http://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Back...d=1430749853&sr=8-9&keywords=651+vinyl+oracal)
Do fixed or swiveling exacto blades work best for cutting?
Do you cut all the way through the paper backing, or just through the vinyl?
For Multi-color dyes, I have seen people talking about re-cutting the vinyl on the disc, and redoing the whole thing- whats the pro's and con's of each?
Thanks!