Archives for January 2018

It’s an excellent read! I just picked it up yesterday.

On my trip to Farmington, New Mexico and back, I already listened to about 4 hours worth. From Audible, it’s my latest audio-book, Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop, also narrated by him. I’m glad to have found such a really great self-help book. I listen to them all the time, self-help, motivational, inspirational books, but many times go right on just as I’ve always done, and nothing changes. But with Gary’s book this is not the case. The author has quite a heavy Scottish accent and his unique voice with a tell-it-like-is attitude accomplishes brilliant narration that packs a punch. And he’s sure to let you know: if you are the type of person that gets offended easily, put the book down or pass it to a friend.

Anyway, I must say, there are some inspiring quotes in the book, which finally pushed me over the edge. That and the extraordinarily powerful way in which the book reads—the author provides some excellent life-changing advice!

And now there are many things I will be doing, which include working harder and with more focus than ever. I will. I can. I am.

As it’s no secret perhaps, I’m about to re-publish my first novel, as well I’m knees-deep into the sequel, about 120k words so far—and that will continue strong. And I’ll continue to create these blog posts, which I hope you have found to be of value. As for the graphics part of “what I do,” I will be designing a new page on the Full Intensity Grafx website where inspirational and motivational quotes can be purchased as decals. While our clients have been creating and designing funny or inspirational quotes using our custom-lettering-decal page for years, I wanted a section specifically for designing and browsing such quote decals, and an easy way to take feedback and add new quotes to the selection.

The lid of my laptop is stuffed with funny and cool decals but that’s…about to change!

I’m going to peel them off and put some of the quotes, like those contained in the book above, which I am thrilled to have found. And while I won’t spoil it for you because I am recommending the book, I will say that there are many quotes are from the author himself that really touched base, as well various others from stoics like Marcus Aurelius the Roman emperor, who ruled from from 161 to 180 AD, Socrates the classical Greek philosopher from 300 BC, and many, many others. By the way, if you like the writings of Marcus Aurelius, be sure to check out the movie Acts of Vengence with Antonio Banderas, if you haven’t seen it already—I loved it.

But it’s not just this book, which I’m reading. There’s a world full of motivational, inspirational quotes, including those from you. Let’s hear it!

Any inspirational or motivational quote that you would like me to add to this new part of the website, just let me know. As a decal the quote can be applied to coffee mugs, notebooks for school, laptop cases, even used as wall decals (contact me about wall decal vinyl), and vehicle, car, boat, window glass, as well painted surfaces or plaques and mirrors. As long as they’re not copyrighted such as a business taglines or trademarks, let’s create it!

Without further ado, I’ll keep this post short in order to get started right away on that new page of the site. For now, feel free to check out the funny and cool-phrase-decals page where you can choose a from one of the decals there, or create your own inspirational or motivational phrase decal. For a little more control, create a custom text decal, or a multi-line custom lettering decal. I’ll post again once I’ve finished designing and creating the new web page. Everyone have a great weekend!

A single vinyl decal gets exposure for as long as the vinyl decals last on any ride!

A mutual relationship. But why seed a garden with only one seed! Thinking of getting a few vinyl decals for your ride, maybe a couple of small decals for the back or side windows? Well, that’ll work, and it’s great. You might be testing out the water with a toe. But the water is warm, hot actually—might burn the toe! Like getting in early on those stocks that are sure to soar (or Bitcoin), you’ll want to get as many decals as you can and pass out to all that support you.

The customers that support you are the only reason you have business, never forget it! Provide them excellent service and products in return for loyalty, and both client and merchant share a beneficial relationship.

Consider, the typical vinyl we use, Oracal 651 series 6-year, for most applications. These decals, when applied properly, will last for up to 6 years, and as I have personally seen, much longer!

So, one single decal, that’s great. Exposure, advertisement, branding for six years or so. But what if you regularly pass out decals to your clients, over the course of years? That becomes hundreds of years worth of exposure, and vinyl decals are relatively cheap if bought in bulk.

So why this article today? Well, I had some customers order some tattoo shop decals, nothing large, just two 12-by-4-inch, bright yellow-green decals, probably for the side windows of a vehicle and a little advertising. And you know me, and this is a graphics blog, I’m always looking for something to write about. Now combine the thought of that, with my drive to Farmington, NM today. I saw many vehicles with decals (I know I’m probably biased, because I’m the decal guy I’m always looking) and noticed how some stand out better than others, and I got to thinking about how long they’d been applied. Anyway, I saw some that were quite faded and wondered how many people have seen it over the years, or used it as a reminder, and how word of mouth—if you treat your clients right!—works like a snowball going down Everest. And I compounded the idea—numbers spun round in my head making me dizzy—of having one for each customer, compounded results over the long term, excellent advertising and exposure—for pennies!

Treat your clients right and most will be more than happy to support you!

In conclusion, if your are thinking of dipping those toes in the hot water, great. Head over to Full Intensity Grafx, enter the custom text needed, choose a vinyl color, a font style and decal size, and you’ll have the decals at your door in a few days. Huge discounts for quantity, or ask me about a custom decal quote. Then apply them. But don’t wait too long if you’re thinking of benefiting from possible compounded exposure, great advertisement for years! Like buying Bitcoin, or the alt’s, what’s worth a little now will pay off in the long run, even up to 6 years later, or more.

Just continue to be the best you possibly can for your clients!

Before heading out for the night, one final word. I want to humbly say thank you to each and every client that has been with us for months, years, or even the entire two decades Lorena and I have been in business selling graphics. I want to continue to do my part by providing you with extra freebies as often as I can, quality vinyl, the lowest prices on decals and graphics that I can manage and still feed the kids, plus fast and personal customer service that never makes you feel like a number!

PS. I recently hired out for some graphics work myself, I needed a book cover designed for my novel, one that I’ve been working on for two years. And the company, I won’t name names, made me feel tiny, like a number. We all matter, and I never want to treat any of my clients in that manner!

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve tried it, and seen others clear over vinyl decals numerous times.

Vinyl decals were never intended to have a clear coat put on top, as far as I can discover within product specifications. However I’ve seen many do it with great success—for nearly 20 years! And I’ve yet to see any major issues. Here’s my take on things.

But, I’m not always around to see client’s projects after the long term. I assume based on my experience that the decals will last as long as they are supposed to, or longer, because of having a coat of clear paint or lacquer applied over them.

Do I recommend it? Well personally, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I see no reason to clear over the top of vinyl decals. Our vinyl decals have a great durability as is. Most of the vinyl we use is Oracal 651 series 6-year (or better); it’s proven itself over the years and holds up great to the elements.

The great thing about vinyl graphics is that the decals are in fact removable in case you decide on a change!

I have many clients that return in order to switch things up once in a while. Apply red and silver vehicle graphics, then next year try a different color scheme, or an entirely new design!

And I would not recommend applying vinyl decal or vehicle graphics on a large scale, such as the black and pink starred car above, then clear coating over top of the decals. For the same reason, you might want to switch things up, for you might not want the effect to be so permanent. Example: you are selling the car and the new prospective owner, that would have bought the car, decided that he or she did not want the pink stars. By only applying the vinyl graphics, your still get the same look, and could remove the graphics if needed.

List of reasons you might want to clear-coat over decals:

• It’s a safari vehicle or mud-bogger and you’ll be driving it deep into the mud daily, then clear-coating could add a second layer of durability.
• A monster show truck and you have a big budget and need things done quickly, then decals would be faster than any solution. A clear coat, or several, can add pristine uniform gloss. But always test a sample of your clear paint with a sample decal first. Many clear-coat paints will remove or tarnish and smear printed decals!
• Rim caps, or tiny applications, or your decals have fine details such as a die-cut vinyl decal, that might otherwise catch on it’s sharp corners. For die-cut decals or decals that are machine cut with a knife, the fine points, tips, or edges of the decal could catch on the rag you use to wipe and clean—if done very often this matters more, plus the fine amount of detail in the particular design. Or if a pressure washer is used frequently and directly to these very intricate decals, then you might want to explore the option of clearing over the decals. See example pictures below.
• A show car, or custom chopper, and you’ve did some testing, and you can’t easily or cost effectively do it with only paint or vinyl graphics. I’ve seen many with custom motorcycles attempt a clear coat over top of the vinyl decals, and with excellent success. The result comes relatively quickly and easily, and is by far more affordable—most times! Whenever I sell decal I always include a free logo decal, as well a random freebie or two that you can use to test. And feel free to contact me any time if you are unsure. I can advise from what I’ve seen and experienced.
• You’re on a budget and have always been a do-it-your-self kind of person. This is the most common reason to clear-coat over the top of decals. You can purchase decals really quickly via Full Intensity Grafx, then get them in the mail a few days later. With most clear-coating paint, you’ll be able to get right to work after you apply them. These type of people know who they are. DIY -or- Do-it-yourselfer’s can do anything and are knowledgeable about a wide array of, well, just about anything!
• You’re stubborn and want it your way! You just have to have that extra, super-shiny, polished layer of mega gloss and you’ll do anything to get it.
• You’re one of my past clients, and it worked great last time!

Why you might not want to clear coat paint over the top of vinyl decals?

• Vinyl decals can be removed relatively easily, and you can change it up. Once you paint, things get messy, and the result is more permanent.
• You won’t be able to change things up once in a while, or switch colors!
• A future owner of the project might not have the same preferences as you do (see the black car with pink stars above).
• Vinyl decals are easy to apply and painting requires a lot more work, for not a whole lot of difference. It might be a little more glossy, and a little more durable—if you plan on mud-bogging! But you must weight costs, labor involved, and benefits, if any.
• A lot can go wrong with painting—especially if you’re not an experienced painter. Humidity causes the paint to fish-eye, and you might even get orange peel—painter’s terms for unwanted results!
• Clear coat and acrylic type paints could, and likely will, disturb and smear most printed graphics. If you are to attempt the clear coating procedure always test, test, test! And likely it will only work well with die-cut style vinyl decals, not printed ones!

So in conclusion there’s no solid yes or no answer. I’ve personally seen countless people do it with great success and I’ve yet to see any issues. But, you’ll have to decide if it’s for you, then test with the sample decals using a test surface, and ultimately decide if it is something you want to do. If you’re ready to begin some custom projects head over to Full intensity Grafx and get started with some cool decals, vehicle graphics, or custom text decals!

The good thing, if you are thinking about it, is that you’ll be applying the decals. After you see how good they look when applied, you just might leave the clear-coat paint on the shelf!

 

Because they want to…? (more pictures below)

There’s a myriad of reasons to put stupid decals on your ride, but what might seem stupid to some is not for others, likely many others. And yes, the title of this post is probably stupid too. This article is about our humble beginnings, as well a here-and-there dip off the edge straight into lunacy.

Life on this rock is like drifting through an ocean of change, discovery, and knowledge—while bumping into many things along the way, some that we might not agree with at any given time. As humans we live and learn, and have a strong desire to express ourselves. We want our individual ego to shine while it can, or for some, render shadow. So how can we put ourselves out there, tell to the world our opinion, or just shout!? Myriad ways. Vinyl decals and graphics (what I happen to sell and the purpose for this ramble—and this blog!) are just one of countless mediums to do just that!

Lore and I have been selling these vinyl decals, stupid or just all-out crazy stickers since 1999 (many are too cool and awesome to be called stupid!). It all started when I sold my truck (we actually made two attempts at starting this business—long story), then we used the money to buy an old flat-green Dodge van (nice one actually, it had a 318 motor and wide tires) and a truck load of stereo equipment and boomboxes. Then, a just-do-it attitude, and we put ourselves out there. We set up on the street corner and sold and installed car audio, woofers, entire sound systems! Yep, right outside under a tent, and cars would pull in by the mob full. Business was good, and the competition was angry (another story in itself). We worked seven days a week for the entire Spring, through a 100-plus-degree, El Paso summer, and, made a descent pile of money—coming from someone who previously made two-hundred cash per week before that while working for someone else doing the same thing, well it really was, for us. By year’s end we rented a shop and moved indoors, even began taking a day off once in a while. And it wasn’t long before we added vinyl graphics to the mix. Guess how? Yep, I sold the other car (a car I really liked, my just-painted bright-yellow ’83 Mazda Rx7) and bought a Summa vinyl cutter, plus the software, which cost nearly as much as the cutter itself. I still remember heading into the Post Office then buying the money order and sending it away, before that I had never ever even owned a computer! It was late 1999.

Well, the cutter arrived soon enough, and I had to go get a computer. Dashing out the door after making a few sales in order to afford it, I picked up an old junker and the pawn shop, and the rest is history.

I made some of the stupidest decals you could imagine, and, Lore and I sold some of them!

Lore didn’t think it would work (at least not for the long term), because I was the stereo guy. It was what I did! Oh, could I hook a ride up—with a few 12-inch woofers (even 15s or 18s!) and some amplifiers, a new or used CD player, EQ, car alarm, the works! And customers would roll out with a smile, the massaging bass working their backs through the seat.

I was passionate for at least a decade. I ate, breathed, and slept vinyl graphics.

But life was a struggle and we put in the hours, making stupid (haha, I never really thought they were stupid, and still don’t) but cool decals and signs and vehicle graphics, whatever. We were raising a family, working every day, most years seven days week. And the years went on as if time was pulling us along like a tractor beam. However, things changed when I picked up that book.

It all about the books, learning! Not just saying you’ll do it. Get the book, open it, and do every damn exercise in it until you learn it!

Things were looking up, after I read it. Yes. I did do every exercise in the book titled: PHP by Larry Ullman. Fantastic book! PHP and learning to code. We switched gears from a brick and mortar shop, plus a few eBay sales, and using my newly attained knowledge I built the website from scratch. Full Intensity Grafx is years in the making and every line of code to this day is all thanks to that book (which I recently sold—pretty much gave away—at a yard sale, to another passionate young coder). Today the website, which got in early before all of these WordPress sites that are everywhere, a world where everyone has a website, is still treading water. Some times I don’t believe it!

We make all kinds of stuff. Sometimes I feel like a doctor, confidential with every patient. Together as a team, with Lore’s indispensable help, we have created almost every decal that could be imagined. Well ,not really—the ideas never stop.

Here’s where things get weird. Stop reading now or fall into the rabbit hole.

The world is bigger now, well, at least more full. Ideas are spawning from ideas at an unprecedented rate, like an old man whittling a stick on a porch, ideas are the splinters of wood merging with the breeze and flying away. When will the innovation stop? Never you say? Think again.

I warned you!

Imagine red oil and blue water in a jar, not mixing, while the water floats on top of the oil. Now take that jar and shake it violently. Entropy gone haywire—and that’s what our human civilization doing! There will come a point in time when maximum entropy has been achieved and the liquids cannot be further broken down, hence mixed. We’re somewhere on the uptake now, like Bitcoin on the graph, skyrocketing! And like the water and oil we will reach the maximum possible amount of entropy, and then, the accelerated curve shall begin it’s descent, back to the Stone Age, back to a quiescent realm in the corner of the universe where once had existed a world of people expressing myriad ideas until no more could be contrived.

And they, the humans, used countless methods of expression. Even stupid decals!

We have a tenacious desire to build, expose our unique ego to the world while it’s still alight. And while some might say, “Hey, that’s stupid, why clog up your back window with stupid decals?” Well, it’s what I do, so it’s what I’m writing about right now. I see it as the human condition, we’re a few molecules in the jar, breaking down, splitting up into new ideas. And cumulatively the whole of it all will seemingly  grow and grow, forever—until it reaches that point, that is!

Overboard? Lunacy? Maybe, but we as humans will continue to express ourselves for some time to come. And all of the ideas have not been thought up—just yet!

Interested in this form of expression? Use it as your media, head over to Full Intensity Grafx and design a stupid decal! Visit us on Facebook or stop in to say hi, or to give me another idea for an article. If you happened to like my article, by all means please subscribe. I told Lore I’m going to try and write one per day for a year. It has to be relevant to Full Intensity Grafx, but I’m allowed to go off on a tangent once in a while, right?

Here are some more pictures relating to our story…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a year 2017 was! And, this is not a pity post.

I need not say more, for everyone knows what I mean. Times are tough for many. For about twenty years we’ve sold vinyl graphics and decals, which generally come in last compared to necessities such as food and bills, and the myriad of other expenses for those raising families, or just trying to make it on their own.

For our family 2017 was difficult year as far as finances go—difficult being a quick way to put it. We had to learn, and re-learn, new ways to get by. It might sound ludicrous but some months were really tough and we even found ourselves reusing garbage bags several times—yes, I wish they had a Dollar Tree here in our town! Every drop of toothpaste counts, and at times it seems like we’re edging back into those early “Ramen Noodle” days—when Lore and I just started out in a mud hut of a $200-per-month apartment. To further save costs we heat our bedrooms with body heat—yes, the rooms freeze but we use massive piles of blankets! Can anyone relate?! But we try to get out as a family at least one day on the weekend to explore, find things to do that are free, and sometimes even do some shopping, look-only shopping. But you know what? We stay upbeat, and have discovered that just looking can actually be as rewarding a day out and about. We look yet imagine, and know, that one day business will be back on the upward trend. Families will thrive and maybe even, this terrible inflation will go down—well probably not inflation—and the middle class economy will surge. Like all, we have had our good years, and difficult ones.

This is not a pity post. Good times roll like a ball on uneven ground, I know that. I started this blog only a few days ago and sometimes wonder about what to write each day. So I’m here today, kind of just letting it some stuff plop—whatever words fall onto the page, fall. Tossing thoughts, I figured I’d write a tad about the previous year, and let everyone in on what’s going on with our business and some news about how we will be moving forward: ways we’ll try to earn your business, become your graphics supplier for life, and starting today, provide greater discounts that will make vinyl graphics, for your pleasure or your business, more affordable.

I spend about 4 hours a day working on the site, and now writing these blog posts to see if it we can get a little more exposure for our business: Full Intensity Grafx. Are you reading this? Visit us on the site!

Lore and I have four great kids, one in every tier of school right now and we do our best. Everyone pitches in with whatever can be done to squeeze by yet another month, or week, or sometimes things go day by day. So what, sales have been unpredictable these days? Could it be the highly polarizing politics, or an unstable economy, or that a competitor has managed some fancy search-engine optimization and bumped us down a rung? Well, I guess it could be anything, but I do see others struggling too, families like ours cutting everything but the most important things.

So, in moving forward into 2018 we’ll be stepping it up at Full Intensity Grafx, as much as we can. I’ve been sending out free decal sample packs throughout 2017 and will continue to do so. It’s a marketing strategy and hopefully you’ll keep us in mind if you happen to arrive at a need for quality decals and vinyl graphics. I know many of you have been with us since the beginning—nearly two decades—and we highly appreciate your business, more than you know, we’re humbled and honored! Lately I’ve been reaching out on social media pronouncing new specials and deals. I’ve put countless hours into the website and our eBay listings and hope the experience is enjoyable and fun.

We’ve stepped up our game!

Now, for 2018, all orders get 2 FREE DECALS and we’ll continue to mail out those free decals regularly. We’ll continue to use only the best materials such as proven Oracal 6-year vinyl, and top-of-the-line clear application tape. And I have just finished reworking our decal-discounts page! Yes, I introduce greater discounts! So for anyone needing graphics, please consider Lore and I. We ship daily and treat each customer as if they are family. And if anyone needs custom decal work or a quote feel free to let me know any time. I answer emails day and night, weekends and holidays. Thanks for reading and I hope 2018 treats you and your family well. Cheers and here’s to thing looking up!

Without further ado here are the new discount codes (there are many more on the site, including reverse discounts—in case you feel like tipping!)

Orders of $18 or more can get the JUST BECAUSE discount and received 10% off. Enter code JUSTBECAUSE at checkout!

Orders of $35 or more can get the GEE THANKS discount and received 15% off. Enter code GEETHANKS at checkout!

Orders of $65 or more can get the DECALS RULE discount and received 15% off. Enter code DECALSRULE at checkout!

AND! Orders of $100 or more can get the whopping I LOVE DECALS discount and received 20% off. Enter code ILOVEDECALS at checkout!

Now, I wonder what I can write about tomorrow, and what else can I do the the site to make it better?!