lettering mystery

[mrultralite]

how do they get such clean edges ? yes i know they use vinyl cutters, but theres the floating bits in the 'a' p' etc. THe main issue i have is with masks , i've tried frisket but the glue leaves a horrible residue that ruins the whole thing, i've read of the same problem with nearly all the other sticky masks . HELP!

[buckers]

The secret is to use a good masking material.............I use Oracal 810 which is perfect for me, and others too.
As long as the substrate beneath it, to which you're painting over, is flat, then the paint will not bleed.
Also, do use use any heat to accelerate drying of the paint. This WILL cause the adhesive to become more sticky leading to all sorts of problems later.
HTH

[buckers]

Also, although I use Roland cutters as my main tool, I've recently got a Cameo Silhouette simply because I was having trouble cutting small letters, and thus the bits inside the A's and P's, etc were causing me grief.
So far I've been able to print letters as small as 3.5mm tall !!!!!!!! It's brill

[mrultralite]

Buckers , thanks for the info , yes flat surface, i find even sanded primer is rough so i'm thinking of lettering over the clearcoat. Yes?

[buckers]

Originally Posted by mrultralite

Buckers , thanks for the info , yes flat surface, i find even sanded primer is rough so i'm thinking of lettering over the clearcoat. Yes?

Yup. I quite often mask over clearcoat, but I'd still sand it flat to key it. Use 600 grit. If you're having problems still, then the masking vinyl is letting you down. My 810 Oracal is low tack vinyl specifically for paint masking, but there are hundred of other types, and they'll all do the same job.
HTH