How to Make Magnetic Signs for Machines

Magnetic signs for machines are simple to make, and are easily cut to the required size and shape. Magnetic material can be printed with special ink-jet printers, screen printed if large quantities are needed, or lettering can be applied at home with pre-spaced vinyl lettering procured from a sign shop. Magnetic material is available in rolls from sign suppliers, or smaller pieces can be found at larger art stores. For long-lasting magnetic machine signs in small quantities, applying vinyl lettering is the most cost-effective method.

Things You'll Need

• Magnetic vinyl sheeting
• Ruler or tape measure
• Grease pencil (china marker)
• Scissors or razor-knife
• Pre-spaced vinyl lettering
• Dish soap
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Signmaker's squeegee or old plastic credit card
• Common pin or sewing needle
• Paper towels
• Sheet of white printer paper

Instructions

Measure, Cut And Make-Ready

1. Measure the size of the vinyl sign with a ruler or tape measure, marking the measurements with a grease pencil (China Marker). Avoid using a standard pencil, marker or pen, as the marks will be difficult to remove without marring the magnetic material's vinyl surface.

2. Cut the magnetic sheet to size with scissors or razor-knife. Magnetic sheeting is easily cut into any shape you'd like. If using a razor-knife, cut only into the surface (score-cut), and the material will easily tear along the cut.

3. Place the pre-spaced vinyl lettering sheet, which consists of adhesive lettering sandwiched between a backing sheet and translucent application tape, onto the magnet with the backing sheet side down. The lettering will be right-reading, and will be visible through the application tape (also called "pre-mask').

4. Trim the excess backing sheet material from the lettering sheet from the sides, top and bottom, if necessary, to allow the vinyl sheet to fit within the magnetic sign's borders. Avoid cutting into the lettering itself.

5. Lay the lettering back down onto the magnet, and use the ruler or tape measure to determine even side-to-side and top-to-bottom placement of the lettering, moving the vinyl lettering into place.

6. Place a strip of masking tape along the top of the lettering sheet, forming a hinge that allows the sheet to swing upward, but holds the sheet securely in place.

7. Mix a weak soap solution with a drop of dish soap and about 1 pint of water in a spray bottle and agitate gently. The solution should not be too sudsy, and more water may be added if necessary to reduce suds.

Apply Lettering to Magnetic Sign

1. Flip the lettering up on the masking tape hinge, and spray a light mist of soap and water solution to the magnet surface. The solution will help minimize air bubbles, and allow very minor repositioning of the adhesive vinyl if necessary.

2. Remove the backing sheet from the vinyl lettering while it is still swung away from the magnet surface. The lettering will be held in place by the pre-mask application tape.

3. Pick the bottom (free) edge of the lettering up, and hold it at a 90-degree angle from the magnetic surface.

4. Allow the lettering to relax into a "C" shape (if viewed from the side), and begin burnishing the top edge to the magnet with a signmaker's squeegee or credit card in one hand, the lettering's free end in the other. Work slowly, burnishing top to bottom, letting the "C" shape relax as you go to to allow the lettering to contact the surface as needed for burnishing.

5. Remove the pre-mask application tape by starting at one corner, and peeling slowly at close to a 180 degree angle from the sign surface, removing the masking tape hinge when the pre-mask is removed.

Inspecting and Finishing

1. Inspect the sign for air bubbles. Bubbles may be forced out with the squeegee or card toward the sides of the lettering. Troublesome bubbles may be pierced with a common pin or sewing needle, and smoothed with the squeegee or card.

2. Wipe the sign lightly with dry paper towels to remove remaining soap and water, and grease pencil marks, and put aside for 12 to 24 hours ifor the soap solution under the lettering to evaporate.

3. Cover the sign with clean white copy paper and burnish the lettering once again, after it has set for 12 to 24 hours. The magnetic sign is now ready to apply to the machine.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply magnetic signs to metal surfaces that are clean and dry. Always check surfaces for magnetic adhesion, as they won't stick to aluminum and some alloys.

• Measure and level twice, apply vinyl once. Aside from very minor position changes made possible by the soap solution, delicate vinyl lettering cannot be repositioned without stretching and tearing, which is often beyond repair.

• Use extreme care when cutting with a razor-knife. The soft magnetic material can cause the blade to snag and slip very easily.

• Do not use magnetic signs on hot machine surfaces, or in areas where chemicals, oil or fuel will contact the sign. Heat, fuels and some chemicals will melt the sign into a useless and unsightly blob. Oils may cause the sign to adhere poorly, and may affect adhesion of lettering.

References

• Creative Vinyl Signs: Helpful Guides for Signs
• SignIndustry.com: Tips and Tricks for Installing Cut Vinyl Vehicle Graphics
• Custom Vinyl Graphics: Applying Your Custom Vinyl Graphics

Resources

• Laser Images: Vinyl and Banner Systems
• Magnetic-Signs.com: Industrial Grade Magnetic Signs
• Magnet King: Flexible Vinyl Magnetic Sheeting