Blog

What with this all this vehicle graphic nonsense?

For what are all these decals being used? Tons of things. Lore and I have been crankin’ them out since, what feels forever, sometimes. And looking back on all the good memories up until now. When we had a physical, brick-and-mortor decal shop, to now with online only. How things change, I mean, really. It’s 2018 and almost 2019, can you believe it!

Today’s post, a quick grab from the archive and up to date, to now.

How greatly we appreciate the pics you send us, oh loyal clients to whom we are forever grateful. Many of you are friends, family, and the best clients any small business owners could ask for. So, this will be the first in a multi-part series. A grab bag of pictures, starting with Vehicle Graphics. There’s myriad uses, as you can tell. From graphics for beds, yes, actual beds for sleeping (scroll down) to hotrods, lowriders, minitrucks, and regular ol’ daily driver’s starving for some appeal, some “make me stand out among the million others, please!”

…vinyl graphics, what we believe to be a fabulous contrivance from the Gods…

Plain Jane to nifty, cool to cooler, and as always with vinyl graphics, what we believe to be a fabulous contrivance from the Gods—okay, too far… But really, there just mighty dang cool. Oozing with it. And as times changes, so can ya do with vinyl. Strip ‘er down and update your style.

Now, I hope you enjoy the pics below. And if you have happened to find this one post in a sea of posts, and want some spice for your ride, or bed, or anything, head on over and check us out. Full Intensity Grafx. We’re ready to work for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, what ya gonna do about it…? (HINT: Click on the logo below)

A massager, toaster, how about some socks. A cheese-wheel might be nice, or…

Another Walmart gift, how about a supreme toaster or a deluxe 2-stroke-engine-powered blender, maybe a gift card or a massager. Massager…ahhhh. Doesn’t that sound go-oo-oo-ood! Or how about some assorted types of cheese. Gooey, stick—yum! Or…how about something custom, something personalized. A custom t-shirt, yep, that’ll work! And also from what I’ve head over the course of making them for twenty years alongside my wife Lore, how about—a custom vinyl decal. Now we’re talking. Something different!

Our unique family stickers make an excellent and quite, conversation-sparking gift or stocking stuffer for the holidays. Design yours online and have a decent ol’ time doin’ so, I might add. There really is quite a selection. A character for just about anyone. And we ship 5 days a week, plus, all orders leading up to Christmas will receive two FREE random BONUS DECALS!

Check out some of the family stickers we’ve made for Christmas Shoppers!

And…Custom Lettering Decals! Not last or least, though…

Also we have one of our most popular items. Custom text decals. You can create almost anything, anything being a huge word that it is. A gift beyond the norm, that once applied, will last for several Christmas years to come. A great gift for anyone! Or you can go for the massager. Personally I like the six massagers I get, and use them through January, but they always seem to get misplaced, somehow. An applied decal will be there seemingly, forever! Though… Just an idea, because as you know there’s a million online sellers trying to push their products, and I am biased, but, truthful. Honestly, most of my clients are return customers! Check out these cool custom lettering decals we made. And if interested, design your own. Just click on any of the highlighted texts in this paragraph an go! GO! Create IT! No, really, do it, now, yes, NOW!

 

Now go check out our site. Let this one duo out of a million come through for you! Us! Next year 2019 at this time, October, we’ll have 20 years in business. Let our experience work for you. Check us out at FULL INTENSITY GRAFX online

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!