You can use chip carving knives for more than just carving geometric designs in boxes, plates or furniture. These specialized knives are also great tools when used to carve incised letters. I have also used these knives for carving details in brittle wood prone to tear out. Read more »
Fooling the Optical Sensor
Plotter Cutting Prints on High Gloss and Reflective Media Some printer manufacturers, such as Mutoh, Summa and Mimaki, have systems that utilize a separate plotter to contour cut the printed graphics. To ensure accurate cutting of the printed graphic, the plotters utilize an Optical Positioning System called OPOS. The electric eye or photo sensor of […] Read more »
Laminating Application Tape and HotMask™ Films
Stick It In Reverse How you apply an application tape to a vinyl graphic or a HotMask™ transfer tape to a printed heat transfer applique can affect the appearance of the finished product. If you get wrinkles or bubbles in the paper application tape, I can just about guarantee that you will get wrinkles and […] Read more »
Shop Safety Plan
In some cases, your employees will not recognize the hazards in your shop or on the jobsite. Your responsibility is to educate your people about these hazards, such as those posed by contact with solvents or other hazardous materials. If your employees are exposed to hazardous fumes, vapors, dusts, etc. over OSHA’s permissible exposure limits […] Read more »
Making the Most of Application Fluids
Using application fluids isn’t rocket science, but it’s not child’s play, either. Discover what you need to know to make the most of application fluids. Read more »
Stadium Advertising: A Sporty Opportunity
Why do you need to understand the advertising opportunities in stadiums? So you can help to sell it to your client. Discover what you need to know about stadium wrappings sporty opportunity. Read more »
When Ink Is Not the Problem with Digital Printing, Part II
Beyond dust and dirt, several factors impact the ink’s ability to stick to the substrate. The carrier aqueous-based or solvent-based is another key factor in the final outcome. Then there’s calibration. Read more »
Building Work Tables
Building a work table is easy enough for anyone to construct. What’s more, it takes very little time to build. And if you build it right, it could last you the rest of your life. Best yet, the cost is minimal, especially when you consider that you will use your work tables more than any […] Read more »
Paint Component Basics
What’s in Paint? Something within our human nature compels us to paint. Ever since our primitive ancestors decorated the walls of their caves more than 40,000 years ago, man has formulated different types of paint mixtures. Read more »
Tips on Carving Western Red Cedar
In the sign industry, Western Red Cedar sign blanks are a popular choice because this affordably-priced wood is dimensionally stable and resists insects and decay. As a substrate for exterior signage, cedar can provide up to thirty years outdoor durability. Its workability also makes Western Red Cedar an excellent choice for sign makers. Because it […] Read more »
