How to Get Started in Vinyl Cutting
Vinyl signs are a popular advertising medium due to their ease of use, reusability factor, relatively low cost, and the fact that they can be removed easily without causing damage. Vinyl signage can be affixed to glass and other smooth surfaces and can be used on storefront windows and commercial vehicles. They can also be used as banners for businesses, birthday parties, graduation parties, events, and weddings. If you've got an eye for creating clever signs, why not get started in the vinyl cutting business?
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Instructions
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Select a design software that you are comfortable creating your signs in. Software programs specifically designed for vinyl cutting include Flexisign, SignLab, EasySign, and Signwizard. Corel DRAW and Adobe Illustrator are two other options; however, you will need to ensure that your vinyl cutter supports them.
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Purchase a vinyl cutter that is large enough to accommodate the size of signs needed. Verify that your cutter works with your preferred software program. Other considerations include the maximum media thickness allowed; compatibility with your operating system; whether you can do contour cutting; the length of the warranty; the cutting force, which will allow you to use a variety of media; and the cutting speed.
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Purchase the necessary tools and supplies such as cutting mats, cutting knives, rulers, rivet brushes, applicator, a media tray for storing or rolling your vinyl, pencils for marking your vinyl, a rivet sealer, squeegees, and removal tools.
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Purchase substrates for indoor or outdoor use. These may include sign stakes, metal blanks, portable display signs, license plate holders, magnetic sheets, real estate frames, corrugated plastic, wind signs, and other surfaces.
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Select your vinyl. If you intend to create signs that will last or will use your signs on vehicles, choose a high-performance cast vinyl, which has 2mm of thickness and can last up to 10 years. For short-term projects, you can opt for a cheaper, less durable vinyl. Options include glow-in-the-dark, magnetic, fluorescent, holographic, and reflective vinyl, as well as vinyl in dozens of colors.
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