Official Group buy for Smiley Face Shield stickers thread

[amcloud]

Im in for one.

[BastrdHK]

Hey fellas,

I have been PMing back and forth with He Man on this little project.  I have previous work experience using and applying vinyl graphics.  I brought up a few points to He Man that I would like to clarify in this post.

Best quote I have received was $32.48 per sticker plus a couple bucks for postage and an envelope big enough to ship the graphic in without bending comes to $35.  I know its double He Man's quote, but the material is guaranteed for 7+yrs and UV laminate protected.

I initially wanted to print on perforated reflective vinyl, but it is very expensive and few vendors were willing to accommodate such a small order(50 units).  There are a few things I want to emphasize.  You want to go with the highest grade vinyl possible.  There are several products out there and not all of them are up to the task of sun/element exposure at 80+mph.  3M and Oracal(Roland) are the industry leaders with engineering grade vinyl rated to an outdoor life of 7-10yrs.  Like most things you get what you pay for. 

It absolutely has to be laminated!  The ink will rub off, fade and literally wash out of the material if you try and clean it without a protective laminate.  A transparent UV laminate will also deepen the color hues.  I recommend making the graphic slightly lighter than you want the final product to be.  Examples below from a vendor I have used:

Laminated vs. Non Laminated - notice how rich the color is after lamination.

Before cleaner is applied:


5 min after cleaner is applied:



I suggested printing it in an over sized rectangle 23"L x 7"H bled to the edges so that it can be trimmed to fit your visor.  Please let me know if your visors dimensions are greater than this.  I measured an AGV, Caberg, and Fulmer I had on hand.  All fit within the spec dimension above.  I highly recommend using this graphic on a clear or SLIGHTLY tinted shield since it will naturally shade glare and tint the visor.

I am going to pick up samples tomorrow, and will apply them to one of my visors.  I will post pics and a review of how it affects vision.

I read all the info on the skullskinz website, and I have serious doubts as to the quality of vinyl they use(waiting on reply back as to the exact brand/type and if it is laminated).  All of the customer comments were about the initial install with no mention of how the graphic holds up over time and continuous use.  ZX-14 rider says, "Made my bike look "badder" than ever....".

Regardless of the direction everyone decides to go, this has been fun to work on, and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Questions/concerns?

- Will

[Rambler1982]

I'm definitely interested, but I'd kinda like to see how it looks on my white M696 before actually buying one.

And would it even fit on the little bikini fairing?

[bluemoco]

I'm definitely interested, but I'd kinda like to see how it looks on my white M696 before actually buying one.

And would it even fit on the little bikini fairing?

The Lego image isn't for your bike.  It's a cover for your helmet's shield.



HK and He Man -- keep us posted on how the bids come out.  Thanks for your efforts!

[Rambler1982]

The Lego image isn't for your bike.  It's a cover for your helmet's shield.

Ohhhhh I get it now! Ya count me in for one!

For the record, I think it might look neat on a windshield too 

[jasaretta]

Hey fellas,

I have been PMing back and forth with He Man on this little project.  I have previous work experience using and applying vinyl graphics.  I brought up a few points to He Man that I would like to clarify in this post.

Best quote I have received was $32.48 per sticker plus a couple bucks for postage and an envelope big enough to ship the graphic in without bending comes to $35.  I know its double He Man's quote, but the material is guaranteed for 7+yrs and UV laminate protected.

I initially wanted to print on perforated reflective vinyl, but it is very expensive and few vendors were willing to accommodate such a small order(50 units).  There are a few things I want to emphasize.  You want to go with the highest grade vinyl possible.  There are several products out there and not all of them are up to the task of sun/element exposure at 80+mph.  3M and Oracal(Roland) are the industry leaders with engineering grade vinyl rated to an outdoor life of 7-10yrs.  Like most things you get what you pay for. 

It absolutely has to be laminated!  The ink will rub off, fade and literally wash out of the material if you try and clean it without a protective laminate.  A transparent UV laminate will also deepen the color hues.  I recommend making the graphic slightly lighter than you want the final product to be.  Examples below from a vendor I have used:

Laminated vs. Non Laminated - notice how rich the color is after lamination.

Before cleaner is applied:


5 min after cleaner is applied:



I suggested printing it in an over sized rectangle 23"L x 7"H bled to the edges so that it can be trimmed to fit your visor.  Please let me know if your visors dimensions are greater than this.  I measured an AGV, Caberg, and Fulmer I had on hand.  All fit within the spec dimension above.  I highly recommend using this graphic on a clear or SLIGHTLY tinted shield since it will naturally shade glare and tint the visor.

I am going to pick up samples tomorrow, and will apply them to one of my visors.  I will post pics and a review of how it affects vision.

I read all the info on the skullskinz website, and I have serious doubts as to the quality of vinyl they use(waiting on reply back as to the exact brand/type and if it is laminated).  All of the customer comments were about the initial install with no mention of how the graphic holds up over time and continuous use.  ZX-14 rider says, "Made my bike look "badder" than ever....".

Regardless of the direction everyone decides to go, this has been fun to work on, and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Questions/concerns?

- Will

Thanks for taking the time. I'm all for quality and I will go with whatever the group wants.

Was there meant to be some pics with your post?

[fatwake]

I'm in for one also.

[BastrdHK]

Was there meant to be some pics with your post?

Yes, they are showing up on my end.....is anyone else having trouble seeing them?  They are an important part of my argument.

[Sleeper_I]

I see your pics.

Me like, me want, me one....... please

[monster monkey]

I definitelt want two for sure! This will be conveinient when I'm glaring at drivers!

[He Man]

Thanks for posting up BastadHK, i snuck out of class and went for a short ride. 

Anyway, Sounds like most people are for the better quality vinyls as produced by BastardHK, Im not sure if you have tested a few designs (as in how preforated it should be. But perhaps you can print one, and show us?

[silentbob]

one or two depending on price.

[BastrdHK]

Thanks for posting up BastadHK, i snuck out of class and went for a short ride. 

Anyway, Sounds like most people are for the better quality vinyls as produced by BastardHK, Im not sure if you have tested a few designs (as in how preforated it should be. But perhaps you can print one, and show us?

I hear ya......spring is close!

I am picking up samples of the material tomorrow.  I will post up pics of my helmet and report on visibility, and then we will get serious about this thing

[dansamp]

count me in for 2  [moto]

Dan............

[DEVO!]

I'm in for 2 as well!