My First Full Van Job (Sign Writing).

[NikGrey]

So, I just completed my first ever Van Job.

I completed this in (from getting the job to handing it over) 6 days - in that time I had to go and see the customer, get them to sign off the vinyl and colours and agree to a 'Loose' mock up of the idea I had in mind.. I wanted 'Classy'.

I use Metamark Vinyl exclusively (because I have a large Sign Maker Ten miles away from me who retails the stuff) so could pop down at my leisure (during their opening hours of course, and if it was NOT a Sunday - oh, and as long as it was BEFORE 5pm) ..

I needed about 5M of Vinyl for this job (already had the Silver in stock) so ordered 10M of it to be sure - you have to remember though that I had the Van for Only One Day and they were losing money whilst I had the van !

Today I realised I didn't have enough Transfer Tape so called the Outlet to see if they had any 500mm 'Paper Transfer Tape'.. they were getting new carpets fitted so couldn't tell me immediately - I had to wait 10 mins she said :(1.5 hours later I called back):

Me
"Did you find the Tape I was after?"

Operative
"Hi Nik - Sorry but you must have been speaking to Sharon, I will look into this now and call you back immediately"

Me
"Ok" and put the Phone down (Land Line - well, 'Vonage' actually so didnt have to pay for the call as such).


Big Cheese
"Hi Nik, Sorry about all of this but we are having Carpets Fitted - We don't have the 500mm rolls but DO have 600mm rolls?"

Me
"How Much will that cost me Please?".

Big Cheese
"Hmm, Please wait a mo.."

Me
"Ok - 'Roger'"

Big Cheese
"Who is 'Roger' ?"

Me
"It's a friends Land Rover - He uses it for 'Trials', they time each other when trying to drive these things through sticks on a muddy course and all take it very seriously".

Big Cheese
"It's £32 exc VAT"

Me
"OK, I will come to collect this immediately - I will be about 30 mins".

Big Cheese
"We look forward to seeing you Nik as always".

What on Earth were you expecting me to say next?

So, I eventually arrived, went to the counter - saw an Operative I had never seen before and paid for my items (I managed to get a Chinagraph pencil from them also for a quid) made my way back home and made this:

[Quinsfan]

Looks good Nik but I am not sure about the uneven lettering especially the "O" by the join in the doors.

[RogerC]

Nice.....clear.....uncluttered and the 'offset' lettering gives it an eye catching quality. I like it. Well done Nik.

[Mattie]

Looks great, well done I miss doing graphics I sold my company few years back to concentrate on sub work

[NikGrey]

I love doing these jobs - I have done a lot of 'Decals' but never a whole Van like this.

The 'Logo' was sent to me in .pdf format - I had to Trace it with Illy to make a Vector.. from that I cut the vinyl (the .Pdf I was sent was an Invoice with Logo on top - the width was 135 pixels).
SO I replicated the Clients existing logo - Like Roger C I think it is very effective indeed, especially in the 'Flesh'.

Client seems pleased: Ere.

So as far as I am concerned I have completed the job asked of me

[pisquee]

Nice job Nik!
I think their company logo looks too much like a magican act, but that's not your fault, and maybe it's just the influence of my previous showbiz career coming though?!
I would have considered doing the logo on the front of the van backwards so it read correctly in rear view mirrors.

[mrs maggot]

I would have considered doing the logo on the front of the van backwards so it read correctly in rear view mirrors.

me too, but Nik great job

[scotty44]

Nice...clean, simple and gets the message over.. good job Nik
I do a lot with vinyl and I've found the backwards text on the bonnet is a 50/50% with customers,
Some like the idea but some don't, each to their own, I prefer it the right way but that's just me :biggrin:
Vector magic is a nice little program that would of saved some time vectorizing the logo from a pdf

[Maup]

Great job, looks awesome