why don't you guys go to a sign shop and get decals made? most have a machine called an edge that uses thermal ink transfer to achieve fades and gradients. or they can use their CUTTER to cut out vinyl in solid colors. i must be missing something because you seem to be going to a lot of effort to do a simple task. am i crazy? or just ignorant of your practices. fyi there are two types of vinyl mainly used in sign shops. 3-mil which is a little thicker and more durable and 2-mil which is thinner but has longer life and is glossier. 3-mil has 5 year warranty 2-mil has8 year warranty against peeling or any fading. don't go into a local shop and say you know this but the material is dirt cheap. 3-mil colors 15" tall by 50 yard long is only45.00/roll. .30cents per running foot at 15" tall. usually there is a max cutting height of 13" on a 15" tall roll.
24" tall roll with cutting height of 22.5" costs about .425 cents per running foot. some 2-mil colors and specialty vinyls are a little more. for example a set of plane #'s and some stripes in say blue should cost no more than 10$ retail. the mark-up is fantastic but that is the business. that's why i own my own shop now! some shops may have a 20$ minimum order but you can get a lot of vinyl for that much money. don't be had by a shop owner out to make a buck on someone who doesn't know any better. i operate in lancaster pa and there are about 25 sign shops within 30 miles ranging from small to huge. a customer recently had his van lettered by me and it cost him320$. he said the last time he had on done it was at a franchise and they charged him over 500 for the same thing. shop around. you'll always be able to find someone either cheaper or more customer friendly. if you have any questions or need any advice on how to buy or what to ask for pm me or e-mail direct at [email protected]
mike