Full Version: Cutting trophy plates
From: Ed (EMERY) [#21]
15 Feb 2007
To: bruce (BBSD) [#18] 15 Feb 2007
Hi Bruce
Thanks for taking the interest in my little project here. The reusable transfer tape sounds like a good idea to hold this job down.
I'll play with vector settings tonight.
Also, I bumped the job (with all the names and teams) down and right. Now shouldn't I cut around the top and left now to get a nice edge?
From: bruce (BBSD) [#22]
15 Feb 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#21] 15 Feb 2007
From: gt350ed [#23]
15 Feb 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#21] 15 Feb 2007
Are you aware, Ed, that you can order Flexibrass from your supplier with 3M adhesive already applied? That's the only way we order it. We just raster engrave the trophy plates, vector cut them to size and peel-and stick. No tape involved.
If you cannot get your Flexibrass from your supplier with the 3M adhesive already applied, get a new supplier.
From: Ed (EMERY) [#24]
15 Feb 2007
To: gt350ed [#23] 16 Feb 2007
Hi Ed
I am learning so much here. I knew about the pre-applied 3M adhesive. But, I thought I would be "creative" and use gold with blue substrate (no adhesive). Live and learn, right? So, I'll use this stuff up and see how big of a problem we have.
My wife is playing with the fonts today, and I'm cutting these things this afternoon. I'll let you know how it goes.
From: gt350ed [#25]
16 Feb 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#24] 16 Feb 2007
I'm not sure what you have in mind ultimately for your business, or even whether you intend for it to BE a business. Having said this, as you will soon find out, trophies are the area of the broader "awards" industry with the least profit margins. There are several (many) folks here on the forum that have dropped or minimized their trophy offerings for that very reason. We don't happen to be in that group because we believe that our trophy efforts and systems make it a profitable component of our overall business model.
Having said THAT, time becomes exceedingly important in the trophy construction/finishing area. Although labor time is important in all aspects of what we do, it is even more important when it comes to trophies due to slim margins.
Applying tape to one or all of the trophy plates is time consuming. For the nominal extra charge to have your plastics delivered with 3M adhesive pre-applied, it's just not worth doing it any other way. A middle ground would include that you can buy rolls of the 3M adhesive in different widths to apply yourself. But even this alternative is not recommended for the reasons stated.
This is just my opinion and advice. And for what you are paying for it, I'll give you a complete refund if you're not satisfied. :O)
Have fun, Ed. And welcome to the Forum!
From: Ed (EMERY) [#26]
16 Feb 2007
To: gt350ed [#25] 19 Feb 2007
Hi Ed
No problem with the advice. I'm always willing to learn. That's kind of where we are in life (wife and I). We are trying to re-invent ourselves in the laser engraving business. And we are quite willing to let it grow slowly since we don't need the income for survival purposes.
I am not sure what niche we will fall into quite yet. We are doing and have done several plaques for individuals and businesses. I'm in the process of doing a large photo engraved plaque for a local business. That might lead to us doing an extensive interior signage job with them...they are showing some interest, and I'm making up a sample this weekend.
The trophies thus far (until the 240 item order) were fun and easy money. I've found building 240 trophies to be some kind of effort. As for the plates, I now know I should have had Johnson Plastics apply the adhesive and it would have saved me quite a bit of work. However, I now own 5 sheets of flexibrass brushed gold with blue substrate...so I think I'll have to use it up.
Are trophies going to make us money? I'm comfortable with it so far. Our little area could supply us with 6 or 7 of these larger orders, and if they repeat yearly...well, it could be a nice steady piece of change.
Our business is but 4 months old and still evolving. I'm enjoying watching the growth and intrigued to see where we are going to be a year from now.
Thanks for the welcome! I'm enjoying the Forum already.
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