Plotters are worth the money!

Doing a fender with 195 names on it. Layout was tough to figure out and I used fineline tape to mark off the areas the names will go on, cut out paper cutouts of the areas, used the plotter with a pen to get the names sized right on paper and figured out how many I can get in each area of the fender. Then I spent an hour typing the names in the cut program (cheap program won't let me import the names). Then set up the blade in the plotter and it actually took it 45 minutes to cut them out. Luckily, I put cut lines between all 35 rows of names so at least that will be easier.... BUT now I have to spend a couple of hours weeding out all the letters. I'll easily have 10 hours of prep time for 5-10 minutes of spraying.....

Can you just imagine trying this without a plotter?

Cliff

[landsbro]

i agre,,,i have painted about 80 bowling pins with sponsor logos
that i cut out by hand,,it took me about 2 hours to cut ot each logo
to every pin,,,bought me a cutter and with a cutter/plotter it takes 10min,,it's a huge time saver
well..it's simply magic,,

[redneck]

Originally Posted by cdv

Doing a fender with 195 names on it. Layout was tough to figure out and I used fineline tape to mark off the areas the names will go on, cut out paper cutouts of the areas, used the plotter with a pen to get the names sized right on paper and figured out how many I can get in each area of the fender. Then I spent an hour typing the names in the cut program (cheap program won't let me import the names). Then set up the blade in the plotter and it actually took it 45 minutes to cut them out. Luckily, I put cut lines between all 35 rows of names so at least that will be easier.... BUT now I have to spend a couple of hours weeding out all the letters. I'll easily have 10 hours of prep time for 5-10 minutes of spraying.....

Can you just imagine trying this without a plotter?

Cliff

conglat on the plotter
I can imagine you trying that without a plotter
but there is no way that I can imagine myself spent a week on the weeding

[cdv]

Five of the 35 rows of .3" letters weeded..... I can't take it anymore..... I'm going to see if I can find someone that might like to do it for a few beers.... LOL

At this rate, I'll have 5-7 hours just weeding out the letters!

Cliff

[Cameron Arts]

C'mon over... We'll have a weeding party!

[Sabreghost]

i took the plunge, got me a cutter, i've already saved myself hours of work just in lettering on a few projects...can't wait to learn how to use it, lol

[cdv]

Marge I'd love to come over and let you help..... .but I wouldn't really put anyone else through this..... I'm crosseyed and my neck and shoulders need a massage..... or maybe I just need a beer..... I've come to hate names like Aaron, Nathan, Larry.... .to many small pieces that you can easily lose IF you don't watch out....I've got 10 of the 35 rows of names done and have 4.5 hours in it already just weeding..... gotta love this stuff to put up with it ....

Cliff

[GregerLMacleod]

Wow Cliff, You really saved a lot of time being able to cut all those names out on a plotter, lucky you have one! ! ! But how do you explain to a client and get them to understand the time you'll have to charge for the hours of design time to make it look right, the time to type it all out on the computer, and the HOURS to apply the film and weed it all out?

This is quite the project, and I've got to tell you I'm anxious to see the finished project cumulation of all the work and thought you've put into this one.

Best wishes on the sore neck, fingers and aching back! Hopefully you estimated enough into the pricing to have a full boddy massage when you're done! LOL

Greger

[redneck]

Originally Posted by GregerLMacleod

Wow Cliff, You really saved a lot of time being able to cut all those names out on a plotter, lucky you have one! ! ! and get them to understand the time you'll have to charge for the hours of design time to make it look right, the time to type it all out on the computer, and the HOURS to apply the film and weed it all out?

This is quite the project, and I've got to tell you I'm anxious to see the finished project cumulation of all the work and thought you've put into this one.

Best wishes on the sore neck, fingers and aching back! Hopefully you estimated enough into the pricing to have a full boddy massage when you're done! LOL

Greger

[

COLOR="Red"]But how do you explain to a client[/color]

what will the customer respond be if they knew all of the work goes into you getting their order out on time ?