HI I am new here I have been frequenting this board for a while and I couldn't resist I had to register...I love this place. I have been doing some small vinyl work for a while on my own at home and this past week have gotten hired at a local sign shop, I love it, so basically I spend most of my day around vinyl....LOL....I have a small question that I have been wondering for a while, the thing is that I have been using arlon calon vinyl for a while and I was wondering is the Oracal 651 is any good...can you guys help me out. Thank you in advance for your time and concideration.
Posted by Steve Nuttle (Member # 2645) on :
Welcome to the neighborhood! Congradulations on the new job!
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Welcome Rui!!! I'm not real familiar with the different vinyls but I'm sure there will be several answers to that question before long.
A suggestion....go to the top of the page where it says 'my profile' There you can put in a line of info telling us who you are... for instance... Your name, what town, state and country you are from and maybe a favorite quote if you like.
You are more likely to get a responce when people know who you are.
Glad to have you in town! Adrienne Posted by Rui Batista (Member # 2835) on :
HI thank you for the warm welcome...I have adjusted my profile..hope its better so what's everybodys' thoughts on the Oracal 651 vinyl? Thank you in advance. Take care.Rui
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Welcome home, Rui!
I use Oracal 651 quite a bit. For most things, it does very well. About the only thing I don't use it for is vehicle graphics or permanent signage.
It has a good color selection and cuts well on my Gerber enVision and Odyssey plotters.
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Welcome Rui! Don't be shy, get to know everyone and get yourself to a meet as soon as possible.
Posted by Rui Batista (Member # 2835) on :
HI everyone...the thing is that I was planning on using it exactly for vehicles...mostly small decals and some occasional full body graphix...since the average life of these decals on the customers vehicles is about 2 years. That given what do you think is it worthed specially for the price of the vinyl..read cheap...please reply.Thank you
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Hi Rui!
Welcome to Letterville. I'm pretty much a newbie myself and I have to agree with you: It's a great place, full of smart, talented, and caring people.
If you're the type of guy who takes pride in customer satisfaction, stick with cast vinyl on vehicles. You pay a little more for it, but your customers will appreciate it.
[ March 16, 2002, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
Hello Rui - The Oracl 651 will last for 2 years on vehicles. . .BUT.....I have had customers tell me that they only want it on for a couple of years, and then they keep it for 6 or 7 years. Guess what. . .the think your no good, no matter what you charged them! NEVER use cheep vinyl on vehicles. Besides the cost of the vinyl is a very small part of the job. Use the good stuff. I went by the name Autographics for 16 years, so I do a lot of vehicles. Save the cheep vinyl for the cheep job. John Arnott
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Welcome Rui! I use only premuim vinyl on all vehicles. I have been using Oracal 751 with no problems. Oracal's 651 is a glossy intermediate vinyl that lots of shopa around here use on every job. I really like Calon II..but it is more expensive than Oracal. Judy
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I agree with John 100%.
Posted by bronzeo (Member # 1408) on :
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
651 is the only way to go for Banners and temporary signs.High performance vinyls (3m Gerber,same) are hands down the only way to go on vehicles.
You'll make up your own mind here of course...but if you make the wrong choice (intermediate on vehicles) you'll soon be replacing customers work at your expense. Remember that includes your removing the job you did as well as replacing the failing work. (usually more labor in removal than in application).
Anyway welcome to the site...and remember 5 or 6 people giving you the same answer usually means there is something in what they say.
Posted by Rui Batista (Member # 2835) on :
HI everybody..you made up my mind, I already forgot about the 651.. I will be looking into avery vs calon , now I just need to find a good supplier.Thanks everybody, I knew I would get the right help here...I love this place..take care.Rui
Posted by Robb Lowe (Member # 2121) on :
Being that you're in the northeast, 651 is going to move around a lot more for you than say myself (south carolina) or Glenn(north carolina). I use 651 for everything except vehicles - I've got signs out there at least 4-5 years old in 651 on MDO and they still look great. I also have one that I changed some lettering on the other day (company name changed) and I noticed the 651 had shrunk about 1-2%, and that sign is one year old. (it faces the sun directly, and had white buildings around it which reflect directly at it) It was burgundy 651 over white 1-shot bulletin paint. Not all of it shrunk, just an oval part of the logo. Weird, but hardly noticable.
I wouldnt layer colors with 651, but for one color stuff it does a good, PROFITABLE (always your keyword) job.
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