How to Print and Cut Colored Decals

How I print and contour cut on my Mutoh 1324 and Graphtec 8600 with flexisign. This video was a request I hope it helps other out. Sorry for the blurry video, I should have cleaned my lens before recording!

[@ckkern6624]

I appreciate all the information you have provided. I fell into this and I am hoping I can take it somewhere. Your videos are helping me understand this venture I am about to dive into.

[@TheSignGuy]

It's never easy but well worth it if you have the drive.

[@teezthatpleez6873]

Excellent Tips throughout the process. I can't tell you the frustration of having a small dust particle smack in the middle of the print. Thx for the great content!

[@TheSignGuy]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@KKPCalgary]

Nice set up and great video. I loved my Big Squeegees and still use them from time to time. Fortunately I was able to get a 54" cold laminator a bunch of years back due to a water damage insurance claim! When printing, I always "sacrifice" a few extra inches at the lead to allow for little hiccups like the one you had with the curling media! Great save on that!

[@TheSignGuy]

The shop is small and the laminator just sat more than anything. 90% of my prints the BS can handle, thanks for watching!

[@miketheprintman]

Another great detailed video. Thank you for sharing your process.

[@TheSignGuy]

Thanks Mike, appreciate your support! I also removed about 15 minutes of other "details" because I talk to much LOL

[@miketheprintman]

@@TheSignGuy Man, I do the same thing with my videos. I get to the end and I'm like, damn, I was talking for like 30 minutes straight, haha.

[@TheSignGuy]

@@miketheprintman 🤣🤣

[@reesedesigns]

your help is great appreciated, great job 👏

[@TheSignGuy]

Glad to hear that!

[@JETSIGNS]

I always learn something new with you bro! Thanks!!

[@TheSignGuy]

Awesome,Thanks for watching! Is it learning or just doing things differently? I'll get the time location when I get back in the shop.

[@JETSIGNS]

I learned differently and better how to feed the vinyl

[@BobTheSignMan]

I use the bomb site marks and built in laser pointer on my Graphtec 8600 cutter when I do contour cuts. I seem to have more problems with contour cuts the way you showed. I will give your way another try. Also I have to move the cutting pin into the front part of the holder. If I don't the cuts are way off.

[@TheSignGuy]

I tried to do that but could never get it to work. The laser pointer would come on and I would go through all 4 points, when I hit okay the cutting head would not put any pressure on the vinyl. It would follow the contour cut but "hover" and the blade would not extend to cut the vinyl. And Yes, for me I also had to move the blade forward to match the contour as well.

[@brotherernest5993]

❤awesome video bro

[@TheSignGuy]

Thanks 🔥

[@SubieSteveo88]

Hey Sean so I have to ask about your application tape dispenser and what you did to make it or where you got it from? I am currently trying to find something for a small 4'x8' table in a tiny work space/room I am working out of right now and need all the space I can get. Any help with anything is appreciated as I am just starting out and have binge watched all your videos multiple times esp. The how to start a sign shop. I am currently running flexi, versawork, illustrator & photoshop. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks for all your help and content!! You should do some videos with Q&A w/ people starting out and having questions about etsy, amazon and how to begin their sign shop journey to succeed.

[@TheSignGuy]

Thanks for watching! I'll have a new video out shortly that will give a little update. The app tape holders I will have on my website in the next 2 weeks, will have a video of those as well.

[@coachdonhighdfw]

Thanks So Bro! For doing this for me! Means a lot 💪🏾, I really need to know what 4inch felt Squeegee to get for the Silvering Help

[@TheSignGuy]

This is the one I use 98% of the time: www.fellers.com/fellers-shopping/cat/squeegees-and-gloves/sub/fleece-felt-squeegees/set/geek-wraps-soft-edge-teflon-squeegee

[@coachdonhighdfw]

@@TheSignGuy thanks my man!!! What ink do you use on the Mutoh now? OEM or Third Party?

[@TheSignGuy]

@Don High always used oem inks on both Mutohs. Right now I'm not going to take the chance on saving a few $$$ for the down time and profile trouble shooting.

[@coachdonhighdfw]

@@TheSignGuy cool so OEM only, you didn’t get a Bulk System Yet? Do you print everyday?

[@TheSignGuy]

@@coachdonhighdfw No, I've never printed that much volume where we thought we would need a bulk system. Talking with a close friend that repairs the Mutohs (works for a big company) he told me don't use specific aftermarket inks, only use oem. He saw soooo many head clogging issues and said it's just easier to stay with oem. Heck I only use the 220 carts, never had the need for the 440's. 220's last me about 6-8 weeks and I don't print everyday now days, years ago we would print 5 days a week 8 hour days.

[@mac100percent]

Is there a reason you don’t use material specific ICC profiles for optimal output?

[@TheSignGuy]

Substance does not have one (or any) for the Mutoh 1324, the White balance between the Substance and OraJet 3651/3951 are very, very close. I've tried specifically made ICC profiles for specific media with mixed feelings. I'm not matching customer colors but get them about 98-99% close. The 3 or 4 profiles that I use are more for speed, vibrancy and saturation, I saw no reason to fix whats not broke.

[@mac100percent]

@@TheSignGuy Makes sense to me! Just wondering as Im getting more into profiling

[@TheSignGuy]

@@mac100percent Some get really into the profiling part, majority of printing folks just want good color output. As long as the print is close to the proof the customer approves, I have no worries. Being on-line make a difference, I will never guarantee a color unless the customer sends me something to compare it to.

[@eXpansiveconsciousness]

Do you charge for re-creating artwork? Always a struggle with pricing when it comes to that.

[@TheSignGuy]

I have to charge by the hour for all artwork, my designs are part of my selling point. I spend most of my time on the computer and part of the "easy" income is from design charges and artwork fees. Sometimes I don't always disclose the charge but I have to account for it someway. Just start at $25 per hour, flexi has a place that tells you how long a file has been open. That's how I figure what to charge and add it to the overall cost.

[@shanegolding436]

Thanks for your vids, I always enjoy your content.

[@eXpansiveconsciousness]

@@TheSignGuy Nice feature of Flexi. I mostly use Illustrator to design & re-create so I would have to use a timer. Yeah makes sense adding to your overall pricing & not disclosing depending on the customer & other factors. Your prints looked great. Thanks for the tips!

[@JETSIGNS]

Where on flexi does it say the time on the file?

[@TheSignGuy]

@@JETSIGNS Go to: Edit/Job Info, 3rd tab under Statistics. It will tell you total edit time.

[@musabzain2423]

How is this a decal and not a sticker? Whats the difference?

[@TheSignGuy]

Call it a sticker, whatever helps you get your point across. I use the word Decal because sticker to me reminds me of paper I used to get as a child. When I googled the term sticker and decal both words can work for a pressure sensitive adhesive backed media.