Mastering vinyl graphics takes technical skills, research and hands-on application.
Knowledge is power. Mastering the principles of vinyl graphics takes hours and hours of practice with designing decals and lettering, cutting, "weeding," taping and applying vinyl graphics to substrates. Learning about vinyl graphics includes the study of computer vector and photo-editing software, design principles, knowledge of materials and vinyl-application techniques. Graphic design and sign-making trade magazine, online graphic-design websites and product vendors offer a wide variety of publications geared toward the art of mastering vinyl graphics.
Instructions
Mastering Design
1. Create interesting vinyl graphics by learning the art of design. Explore ideas, such as contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity, when defining your designs.
2. Research what other vinyl graphics artists are designing. Decide what you like and don't like about the work of others, and incorporate those ideas into your own designs.
3. Explore what types of decals are the most popular and find new ways for designing similar items.
Mastering Software
4. Buy industry-standard photo-editing and vectoring software and become proficient in converting raster images --- or images made up of a grid consisting of square dots to produce an image --- to vector images, which are computer-read, mathematical lines and curves that are used to cut graphics on a vinyl cutter.
5. Use vector software that offers tracing tools for easier creation of vector graphics. Learn to use the pen tool and pen-editing elements by reading the tutorials and "Help" files of your specific program.
6. Use photo-editing software to adjust images for conversion and to enhance bad copies of mediocre art files.
7. Take a computer illustration or graphic design class at your local community college. Read tutorials in graphic design and sign-making trade magazines or check out instructions from your software developer. Become an apprentice in a sign shop.
Mastering Materials
8. Inquire at sign-making supply warehouses and retail sign shops for the proper use of machinery, vinyl materials and tools.
9. Read reviews of specific vinyl graphics products, such as cutters, types of vinyl and pre-mask tape.
10. Use the right products for the types of vinyl graphics you would like to produce, because using the wrong materials will produce non-desirable vinyl graphics results, such as decals falling off vehicles and other manufacturing errors, such as wrinkled graphics.
Helpful Suggestions
11. Buy a vinyl cutter and practice cutting, "weeding," taping, and applying vinyl graphics on a variety of surfaces, such as window glass, wax-free, baked aluminum and coroplast, corrugated plastic signs.
12. Follow the instructions that came with your vinyl cutter, or visit the company website for more information on the use of your specific vinyl cutting machinery.
13. Practice using a squeegee and the vinyl simultaneously. Apply vinyl graphics to smooth surfaces first, then work your way up to curves and other challenging elements. Use even pressure with the squeegee, preventing air bubbles from developing under the vinyl.
14. Practice removing the inside portions of vinyl lettering, sliding the knife at the cut edge with a craft knife pulling the vinyl away from the lettering.
15. Take your time when "weeding." Always use a sharp knife. Pull off excess vinyl at an angle or your graphic could pull free from the backing material. Learn follow the contours of the graphic for the same reason.
