Stencil?

[mk162]

I have a customer that wants some reusable stencils for marking.  Any idea what I need on a vinyl cutter?  Will sandblast mask work?

[Frog]

Begs the question, how is he going to use the stencils?

[mk162]

Well first frog, he is a she, so don't assume.

They want to spray paint their logo on poured cement and block walls at their worksites.

[KevWilso]

You could do vinyl...... Not sure how reusable it would be though..  A better option would be just laser cut a piece of ply wood; if you have access to a laser cutter.

[mimosatexas]

Thats what I would suggest.  Laser cut something thicker, wood or chipboard, then use spray adhesive on the back.

[mk162]

I found some mylar that's pretty thick.  I can back it with vinyl for cutting purposes.

Or maybe I'll just break down and get that laser cutter i've been wanting.

[Frog]

In the old days, we hand cut heavy card stock.
How about sending it through a cutter with a cutting mat?
btw, when I ran campaign posters, the hot stuff was called "milk carton stock". It held up the best.

[mk162]

Yeah, I was going to use a couple layers of crappy old vinyl as the cutting matt.  We'll see if it works.  Worst case I will have a roll of mylar floating around, just in case the need arises for semi-rigid plastic sheeting...

[royster13]

Do you really want to be in the "paint stencil" business or are you just wasting a lot of time you could be using to market your strengths?....

[Frog]

Do you really want to be in the "paint stencil" business or are you just wasting a lot of time you could be using to market your strengths?....

Remember that this particular customer has been identified as a "she" so Brad may well be going beyond the normal call of duty.

[mimosatexas]

Do you really want to be in the "paint stencil" business or are you just wasting a lot of time you could be using to market your strengths?....

Not every job is about squeezing out as much profit as possible in the most efficient way...

I would close up shop immediately if I wasn't allowed to actually be creative and tinker with crap.  That's why I got into this business, not to get rich.

[mk162]

They are in our top 5 customers and frankly top 3 favorite customers.  I am not looking to make anything on it, just looking to stay in front of the other suppliers that are banging on their doors weekly.

I'm doing OK on the 2 other orders they have in house right now.

Also, it's a challenge...and sometimes I like something out of my wheelhouse.

[royster13]

Do you really want to be in the "paint stencil" business or are you just wasting a lot of time you could be using to market your strengths?....

Not every job is about squeezing out as much profit as possible in the most efficient way...

I would close up shop immediately if I wasn't allowed to actually be creative and tinker with crap.  That's why I got into this business, not to get rich.

I have little or no desire to be creative so I do not veer out of my niches (magnets & stadium cups are over 80% of my sales these days) very often....But great for those who want to.....

[Homer]

thin styrene, like .020, run it through the plotter on multi pass, 3 or 4 cuts should do it...same blade you use for that cad cut heat press vinyl crap...45 degree I think

spray glue on the back and stick it to the substrate, spray it..peel off slowly.


OR...loose(ish) mesh screen on a screen, coat and expose as usual. spray glue the back of that and have a go. mesh must be loose or it won't stick..so this is where a wood frame gets used...

[royster13]

They are in our top 5 customers and frankly top 3 favorite customers.  I am not looking to make anything on it, just looking to stay in front of the other suppliers that are banging on their doors weekly.

I'm doing OK on the 2 other orders they have in house right now.

Also, it's a challenge...and sometimes I like something out of my wheelhouse.

If you are doing a good job of what you are currently selling them, IMO there is little chance saying no to a "specialty item" will get you in trouble.....This is based on my many years in business....And while my local business is not much these days, I have little fear of sending an inquiry to a local competitor....I know my strengths.....Good luck....