gatorbait 1 #1 May 26, 2003 do any of ya'll know where you can get decal kits for skydiving helmets? Thanks for any info... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #2 May 26, 2003 kits? i'm not quite sure what you asking for.. the large custom decals for most of the helmets i've seen come from sign shops who print anything you want (or give them) with a vinyl sticker machine.. i've seen them on carts in the mall so if you get the equipment it could be a good concession to run at a DZ or a boogie..____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #3 May 26, 2003 The equipment needed to make quality Vinyl cutouts is extremely expensive! I worked for a vinyl signage company for a while doing everything from the concept rendering, design, computer editing, to actual production and application of vinyl graphics. It's really an easy process, but the vinyl cutter is a really expensive piece of machinery. If you want to start a concession stand, have mass amounts of decals made at your local signage company, it's MUCH cheaper to buy in bulk, and you'll tend to get better quality cuts also, since they are making a ton of them, they'll get used to the process (every project has it's unique problems and characteristics.). There are some decals in the square1 catalogue and there are some other places online that feature them. I know a buddy of a guy here on DZ.com is making and selling them, but I don't remember who Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #4 May 26, 2003 i was wondering about that..but i dont think the little printer thing they used on the cart could be THAT expensive..maybe a few grand.. it couldnt print anything wider than about 36 inches, length was up to the length of the 'paper' i thought it might be a good side business to run at a DZ after i "cutaway" from the really real world.. dude charged me $15 for the kanji ive got on the side of my helmet, but since there was dead space on the sheet he also put a smaller version and "skydivers know why birds sing" that i put on the back window of my car.. a good deal all around, but i wondered about the profit margins and how long it would take to get the inital investment back.. are there other manufactures of the equipment? got any web links for info?____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #5 May 26, 2003 As previously stated, the cost per item is all decided by how many objects you can fit on the same piece of high-grade vinyl. As to the cost of the machines, it all depends on what you are looking for. The machines that use a CAD program, like a Gerber Edge and the Mylec machines, can be extremely expensive. Still there are cheap enough options for single-color graphics that plenty of sign shops have them. The machines that also print color on top of vinyl (specifically Gerber Edge) are much more pricey. Those are the machines that cut all the graphics for all the NASCAR race teams, etc. As to standard fare decal kits, you might be best off either looking at Malcom Smith Racing or Troy Lee Designs; both make really cool sticker kits for whatever you choose to stick them on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gatorbait 1 #6 May 26, 2003 Troy Lee has a wide variety of cool decals, but none for skydiving. MAybe it is something we can look into doing. We already screen print shirts for skydivers and have a ton of great designs (tooting my own horn, while I pat my own back )Thanks for all of the input! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #7 May 26, 2003 You can get 'decal paper' (google shows a few outlets and outfits), but I don't know how durable they would be. I'm no expert so try some of the sites with Q&A areas. They are water slide decals, but can be done on most inkjet printers, then varnished. Good luck!-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #8 May 26, 2003 Another thing you can do is just by a small roll/sheet of High Grade Vinyl. Make a stencil of the design you want and just trace it out with a plain hobby knife on the vinyl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites