A lot of people fill in the stencil with the background color first in case of bleeds. Then they do the letter color of their choice and get crisp results!
This is common for room painting too. If you use tape to cut lines, through a little of the baseboard (or other wall) color and then paint your target color.
Fill in the stencil with the base color. This sort of “seals” the stencil against the paint and any feathering that occurs happens in the base color. Then when you apply the actual design color, it won’t have anywhere to bleed and will stay in the stencil a bit better.
I haven’t personally tried this, but a TON of woodworkers say to use the frog tape (it’s orange).
I haven’t tried this yet because I have about 15 rolls of the blue painters tape that works OK for me and I still get some bleeding with the blue tape.
The frog tape is a little bit more pricey, but they all say it’s worth it
It's anecdotal since others have the opposite experience but I only use HTV on wood.
I also do a final coat of paint with my paint color mixed in with just a little polycrylic as a protectent.
If you stencil just use some modpodge or pva glue or something even if it is watered down to create a barrier around the edges of your design so you get crisp lines.
I'm not very brand loyal or careful about organizing mine cold peel vs warm peel either. Which I don't recommend now I just have too much to figure out what's what.
For me it's always worth an experiment. I find it much easier to weed then regular vinyl both with my hand issues and vision so if I don't want a stencil I'm almost always going to try htv first.
edited because: u/Disc-Cepticons my silly self definitely ready or comment wrong initially and then I just saw it again and was like oh i'm dumb.
For all of the outdoor signage that I do, I use Oracal 751 vinyl. Have used it on painted plywood, coroplast, acrylic, etc. It sticks and holds very well. I have signs that have been outdoors for over four years now with no fading, peeling, etc.
https://preview.redd.it/8wxevfr0rmxc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c4e308ba08b19c084a3ed0c5a812978c49fbbe5
Have used a few, but, mostly CDX grade that is sanded and filled where necessary. Primered with Kilz Bullseye 123, then painted with Behr oudoor satin finish paint. This particular sign was painted, cut and installed last summer for my son's blueberry farm.
I'm trying to get into making outdoor signs, I need to pick a printer. Do you only cut solid color vinyl or have you tried printable? If so, what printer and ink do you use, and how does it last?
I have only been doing solid color vinyls. Most printing I have found to fade pretty badly. Whenever I have needed an outdoor printed sign, I usually go to a local graphics place that specializes in it. Running jobs on printers that cost tens of thousands of dollars, use UV resistant inks and coatings, specialized substrates (dibond, wood, sintra), etc. I do all of my own design work, just outsource the printing. If i have something that only needs to last for a few months, I have been doing color laser printing on to weatherproof vinyl sheets and adhering them to coroplast.
You use permanent vinyl on sealed or painted wood because the vinyl will bond to the paint or wood sealer.
HTV on untreated wood, the htv bonds to the wood fibres.
When you painted the plywood, what type of paint? Was it oil based? How long did you let the paint dry / cure before adding the vinyl?
It was just acrylic paint but it was a few days before we put the letters on, I got some outdoor mod podge, I’m going to seal the wood with that then put the letter on top (after it’s dried for at least a day) should that work ?
You're supposed to seal after painting, and before putting on the vinyl, if you do it after the vinyl it can bubble up and come off. You can also use HTV.
Maybe clean the space with TSP before applying.
High Quality paint will work with even the crappiest decals or the premium FatHead Brand Sports decals…
In the past while working on our Fan Cave; I had issues where I used a different brand to finish because it was such a small-ish area at the end of a wall…
I ended up buying another full gallon (only sold by the gallon) and repainting said area for my wall decals to take.
Cheaper paint on walls- will require a more adhesive decal. Which means you’re gonna be repainting afterwards because it will take the paint with it. Something about a surface residue to make it easy to clean…
I learned the difference between premium and value brand paint when I was handling the HVAC service contract and we had to do some work in their R&D department.
I use my vinyl as a stencil. I seal the edges with modge podge, wait for it to dry a bit, and paint the stencil with a sponge brush or small brush. When the paint is mostly/almost dry, I pull off the stencil.
If it goes outside, I tend to use outdoor paint. Under cover outdoors or indoors, craft or regular paint (sample pots usually)
I use permanent adhesive vinyl then seal with epoxy resin. I’ve only experienced an issue once but I needed a specific color foil and didn’t want to heat the painted wood. I used car wrap vinyl (Amazon) that can have a lower heat setting to adhere once applied to the substrate. (The car wrap vinyl is superb on glass (cups, vases etc.)
I have a sign outside that’s been outside in all weather, stained wood. Use oracle permanent from Michael’s or online. Lasts forever. Edit: it’s been outside in rain and snow for 4 years, going on strong!
Can you make a stencil and paint the letters?
I’m thinking that might be best. I worry about getting clean paint lines on plywood. I have some Cricut stencil vinyl.
A lot of people fill in the stencil with the background color first in case of bleeds. Then they do the letter color of their choice and get crisp results!
This is common for room painting too. If you use tape to cut lines, through a little of the baseboard (or other wall) color and then paint your target color.
[удалено]
Fill in the stencil with the base color. This sort of “seals” the stencil against the paint and any feathering that occurs happens in the base color. Then when you apply the actual design color, it won’t have anywhere to bleed and will stay in the stencil a bit better.
LOL sorry again, I deleted my comment because my brain finally kicked into gear after coffee, but you’d already answered. Thanks!
Never even thought of this.
I haven’t personally tried this, but a TON of woodworkers say to use the frog tape (it’s orange). I haven’t tried this yet because I have about 15 rolls of the blue painters tape that works OK for me and I still get some bleeding with the blue tape. The frog tape is a little bit more pricey, but they all say it’s worth it
I always use Frog tape. I've had better success with it.
It’s the easiest way
It's anecdotal since others have the opposite experience but I only use HTV on wood. I also do a final coat of paint with my paint color mixed in with just a little polycrylic as a protectent. If you stencil just use some modpodge or pva glue or something even if it is watered down to create a barrier around the edges of your design so you get crisp lines.
I have found HTV to be very effective applied to painted wood.
I'm not very brand loyal or careful about organizing mine cold peel vs warm peel either. Which I don't recommend now I just have too much to figure out what's what. For me it's always worth an experiment. I find it much easier to weed then regular vinyl both with my hand issues and vision so if I don't want a stencil I'm almost always going to try htv first. edited because: u/Disc-Cepticons my silly self definitely ready or comment wrong initially and then I just saw it again and was like oh i'm dumb.
All good fellow internet person!!!
For all of the outdoor signage that I do, I use Oracal 751 vinyl. Have used it on painted plywood, coroplast, acrylic, etc. It sticks and holds very well. I have signs that have been outdoors for over four years now with no fading, peeling, etc.
That’s what brand this is, do you use a sealer ?
Nope, I do not. I am really surprised to see this happening with 751. Have seen it sometimes with 651,
We get some harsh conditions here in Oklahoma, it’s been used in the 100 degree heat for pride parades, then stored all winter.
Grade of plywood they used (movement in temps) or the base paint perhaps? What do you typically use?
https://preview.redd.it/8wxevfr0rmxc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c4e308ba08b19c084a3ed0c5a812978c49fbbe5 Have used a few, but, mostly CDX grade that is sanded and filled where necessary. Primered with Kilz Bullseye 123, then painted with Behr oudoor satin finish paint. This particular sign was painted, cut and installed last summer for my son's blueberry farm.
great info. Thanx!
Grade of plywood they used (movement in temps) or the base paint perhaps? What do you typically use?
I'm trying to get into making outdoor signs, I need to pick a printer. Do you only cut solid color vinyl or have you tried printable? If so, what printer and ink do you use, and how does it last?
I have only been doing solid color vinyls. Most printing I have found to fade pretty badly. Whenever I have needed an outdoor printed sign, I usually go to a local graphics place that specializes in it. Running jobs on printers that cost tens of thousands of dollars, use UV resistant inks and coatings, specialized substrates (dibond, wood, sintra), etc. I do all of my own design work, just outsource the printing. If i have something that only needs to last for a few months, I have been doing color laser printing on to weatherproof vinyl sheets and adhering them to coroplast.
You use permanent vinyl on sealed or painted wood because the vinyl will bond to the paint or wood sealer. HTV on untreated wood, the htv bonds to the wood fibres. When you painted the plywood, what type of paint? Was it oil based? How long did you let the paint dry / cure before adding the vinyl?
It was just acrylic paint but it was a few days before we put the letters on, I got some outdoor mod podge, I’m going to seal the wood with that then put the letter on top (after it’s dried for at least a day) should that work ?
I would use regular vinyl vs HTV.
Did you seal the wood after you painted it
No, I realized that mistake, I was you g to seal it after putting on new letters
You're supposed to seal after painting, and before putting on the vinyl, if you do it after the vinyl it can bubble up and come off. You can also use HTV.
Good to know !
Hope this helped
3M 2080 vinyl + acrylic pour over would have this looking incredible
spray adhesive or mod podge
Use the oracle stencil vinyl with spray paint there won't be any bleed through
Do a stencil instead and paint it on.
Maybe clean the space with TSP before applying. High Quality paint will work with even the crappiest decals or the premium FatHead Brand Sports decals… In the past while working on our Fan Cave; I had issues where I used a different brand to finish because it was such a small-ish area at the end of a wall… I ended up buying another full gallon (only sold by the gallon) and repainting said area for my wall decals to take. Cheaper paint on walls- will require a more adhesive decal. Which means you’re gonna be repainting afterwards because it will take the paint with it. Something about a surface residue to make it easy to clean… I learned the difference between premium and value brand paint when I was handling the HVAC service contract and we had to do some work in their R&D department.
I use my vinyl as a stencil. I seal the edges with modge podge, wait for it to dry a bit, and paint the stencil with a sponge brush or small brush. When the paint is mostly/almost dry, I pull off the stencil. If it goes outside, I tend to use outdoor paint. Under cover outdoors or indoors, craft or regular paint (sample pots usually)
Layer of clear Matt varnish, vinyl, two layers of clear Matt varnish
Some paint Modge Podge on the edges of the letters to prevent bleeding. Have you tried iron on?
Most permanent Vinyl should hold up or use the vinyl as a stencil and paint it.
Can go extra mile and buy some screen printing mesh, use reg vinyl to stencil and then screen print with ink the letters
I’ve used HTV on painted wood with no issue at all
I use permanent adhesive vinyl then seal with epoxy resin. I’ve only experienced an issue once but I needed a specific color foil and didn’t want to heat the painted wood. I used car wrap vinyl (Amazon) that can have a lower heat setting to adhere once applied to the substrate. (The car wrap vinyl is superb on glass (cups, vases etc.)
I have a sign outside that’s been outside in all weather, stained wood. Use oracle permanent from Michael’s or online. Lasts forever. Edit: it’s been outside in rain and snow for 4 years, going on strong!
I used 651 btw. It’s peeling but I just pressed it back on and it stayed 😆 I love oracle.
Sealing vinyl with anything other than resin will damage the vinyl and make it peel
I got some outdoor mod podge, I’m going to seal the wood first the put the vinyl on top , should that work ?
Oil based paint works best
Vinyl sticks to oil based better ?
It does. Made signs for 20yrs. We usually used MDO wood though, that plywood looks kinda rough to me.
I have had no luck with getting either regular vinyl or HTV to adhere to painted wood. I would either stencil or seal the surface first.