Bumper Stickers

Jeremy · October 13, 2006, 06:24:26 AM

One of the other topics recently mentioned the idea of bumper stickers (I think it was 'You know you're a Bus Nut if...'). I have the facilities to produce short run printed vinyl stickers, so if anyone can think of any suitably witty messages I could perhaps knock a few up (postage to the States wouldn't be a problem as they don't weigh anything).

I'm sure others can think of some funny slogans to use, either for the bus itself or the back of the car (eg 'My other car is a bus' etc). The sticker could include graphics as well as text, and have black, yellow, blue, green or red spots colours.

I can print self-adhesive vinyl up to 10" wide, but can also do vinyl cutting up to 36" wide if anyone has an idea for a larger graphic. I'm not offering to do custom work for individuals, but would be happy to set up a short production run of items for members of the group if there was any interest

Jeremy

gumpy · October 13, 2006, 06:45:28 AM

So, let me ask you something....

Do you think you could take an image, say a certain design for a calculator cover, and print it on a piece of vinyl such that it could be cut out and applied to said calcultaor cover? Any idea how that might work? Would it withstand daily use and abuse?

Just thinking with my fingers here....

Jeremy · October 13, 2006, 07:05:51 AM

It could certainly be done, though not with the type of machines I have - it would require a 'print and cut' machine, which is more expensive and sophisticated that what I have; I have a thermal transfer vinyl printer capable of printing spot (solid) colours, and a separate vinyl cutter (basically a plotter that uses a blade rather than a pen). The print and cut machines are capable of printing 'photographic' type images (which I assume is what you need), then going back over the image and doing very accurate cutting to make holes for the calculator buttons etc. The surface of the calculator won't be flat either, which would make the job more difficult.

I would suggest you have a chat with a specialst printer or signmaker to see what they suggest; unfortunately it is unlikely to be a straightforward job.

Hope that helps

Jeremy

paulcjhastings · October 13, 2006, 07:13:01 AM

Sorry Craig. Unfortunately the time that it would take to set that up would easily cost more than a new calculator.
Unless the calculator in question is worth more than a couple hundred dollars.

gumpy · October 13, 2006, 07:23:47 AM

Actually, I was thinking more of applying it to the slide cover, not the calculator itself. Was thinking it might could be printed with multiple images on a single bumper style sticker, and then could be cut and applied by hand using an xacto knife or razor.

Of course, here's the image I'm thinking of... http://www.thefamilybus.net/kale/kale.htm

Sounds like maybe the graphics your setup is capable of is not quite what you'd need, though?

Jeremy · October 13, 2006, 07:44:22 AM

Actually, that image only uses solid colours, so it could be done with my thermal printer if you were happy to handle the 'cutting' bit yourself. The only shade of green available for my printer is lighter than the one in your image, but the blue would be pretty accurate. If you can supply the image as an 'EPS' file (that's a vector file, as used in Corel Draw etc), I would be happy to try to produce a sample.

For your interest, the machine is usually used to produce stickers like this:

Jeremy

DavidInWilmNC · October 13, 2006, 08:14:14 AM

I mentioned one in the "You might be a bus nut" thread. I still think it'd be cool to have one that says "Mine's Bigger" for the back of the bus.

David

JackConrad · October 13, 2006, 01:03:42 PM

A friend has this bumper sticker on his bus "Diesel Smoke Makes Me Horny" Jack
PS: I like the "Mine's Bigger" idea

H3Jim · October 13, 2006, 02:43:41 PM

I have onlg thought a lcense plate frame that reads "My SUV is bigger than yours" might be fun. About the same fuel mileage as a Hummer.

chargePlus · November 30, 2006, 10:01:51 AM

<Shameless Plug>

If you are interested in bumper stickers, I've made up a few...

Check out: http://www.zazzle.com/chargeplus* then click on the "Bussin'" link on the right-hand side under "My Products."

While you are there, feel free to check out the other things that I have made. All of the photographs are mine or my wife's. Yes, I've been that close to the race cars...They were only doing about 60mph...

If you don't see something you'd like, let me know, and I'll make it for you.

</Shameless Plug/>

- John
GMC PD4103-125

Hartley · November 30, 2006, 05:21:47 PM

Quote from: gumpy on October 13, 2006, 06:45:28 AM
So, let me ask you something....

Do you think you could take an image, say a certain design for a calculator cover, and print it on a piece of vinyl such that it could be cut out and applied to said calcultaor cover? Any idea how that might work? Would it withstand daily use and abuse?

Just thinking with my fingers here....

Here is the product that you may be interested in,

http://www.papilio.com/inkjet%20rub%20on%20decal%20decal%20transfer%20paper%20media.html

They have the stuff that would make doing the calculator covers fairy easy to do.