Classic & Vintage - Upcoming chaos in decalville

Thought I'd better let you guys know about a recent development with the bike decal biz; the guy who's been doing my printing informed me a few days ago that he isn't going to be able to handle my orders anymore. No knock on him -- my orders are small and fussy, and his business is developing in the other direction. Nevertheless, it tosses a major monkeywrench into the works for me. I have three choices: I can say "fun while it lasted" and go back to refurbishing bikes, I can hunt for another shop with the particular equipment required who's willing to print my stuff, or I can try to come up with the capital to buy the requisite equipment and start doing the output myself.

Hanging it up doesn't seem like an option; too many folks have come to me since last summer who just can't get what they need anywhere else. Not to say it's a 'mission from God' or anything, but it seems like a niche that needs filled, and I can fill it; it seems wrong to turn away from it.

Finding another printer who both understands what needs to be done and is willing to do it doesn't seem especially promising. I can probably find shops that can do some, but not all of it, and cost and quality would be a question mark.

The output equipment required isn't being made anymore, but used examples, parts and supplies are still available in sufficient quantities to for it to be a viable option. It'll take an outlay of several thousand dollars though, and I don't have it. I'm sure there's enough business to justify the outlay, but I have to find the capital.

So in short, I don't know right now how it will all shake out, but I'm not gonna throw in the towel just yet. I guess I need to see if I've got any deep-pocketed relatives I haven't offended, and check around for some alternate sources for at least partial production. Keep a good thought, and I'll be keeping you guys posted.

So you can't get one last, large order through? Maybe build a stock on some of the heavy hitters and use the proceeds towards the purchase? Just throwing out the thought, trying to be helpful.

The other thought is to sell bonds. Maybe sell for $25.00 each, and ultimately either repay in appropriate volume of products or cash with a modest return.

Thought I'd better let you guys know about a recent development with the bike decal biz; the guy who's been doing my printing informed me a few days ago that he isn't going to be able to handle my orders anymore. No knock on him -- my orders are small and fussy, and his business is developing in the other direction. Nevertheless, it tosses a major monkeywrench into the works for me. I have three choices: I can say "fun while it lasted" and go back to refurbishing bikes, I can hunt for another shop with the particular equipment required who's willing to print my stuff, or I can try to come up with the capital to buy the requisite equipment and start doing the output myself.

Hanging it up doesn't seem like an option; too many folks have come to me since last summer who just can't get what they need anywhere else. Not to say it's a 'mission from God' or anything, but it seems like a niche that needs filled, and I can fill it; it seems wrong to turn away from it.

Finding another printer who both understands what needs to be done and is willing to do it doesn't seem especially promising. I can probably find shops that can do some, but not all of it, and cost and quality would be a question mark.

The output equipment required isn't being made anymore, but used examples, parts and supplies are still available in sufficient quantities to for it to be a viable option. It'll take an outlay of several thousand dollars though, and I don't have it. I'm sure there's enough business to justify the outlay, but I have to find the capital.

So in short, I don't know right now how it will all shake out, but I'm not gonna throw in the towel just yet. I guess I need to see if I've got any deep-pocketed relatives I haven't offended, and check around for some alternate sources for at least partial production. Keep a good thought, and I'll be keeping you guys posted.

If you have good versions of what you need I have two decal guys that are unreal...one is in VA and did all of my work for my expedition company. He does your standard die-cuts or printed...he may be able to help you. Steve runs allterrain decals... email him at Sales@allterraindecals.com

The decals on my Expedition truck's doors were pretty intricate and he did an amazing job. http://www.endlessearthphoto.com/JUXT/images/5.jpg



RJ

I was trying to think of a suggestion, and this fits. I was also thinking of pre-selling, but then you would have to sell decals without the receiver knowing when to expect them, which wouldn't work for a general audience.

So, let me start... mswantak. I would like to send you $25 toward a future purchase. If this sounds good, let me know how to send payment.

Do you know what kind of printers he's using? Most likely some sort of large format plotter/cutter. Large format printers and cutters get very expensive, but I wonder if you can find smaller ones. I'm very curious about the process of printing these decals. As a designer, I've worked with quite a few printers and I can't imagine a "decal printer" to be much different than a high quality inkjet. Its the die-cutters that get expensive I guess.

Thanks for the input, guys.

USAZorro -- I've got a couple good-sized orders in the pipeline with the old printer already, and as those here who have decals in those orders know, it's taking plenty long enough just to get those back. And after over 110 orders since starting out last summer, it's still impossible to pick out any real 'favorites'. If I'd stocked up based on my hunches six months ago I'd have been absolutely wrong in almost every case.

tozovr -- Thanks for the tip; I sent your guy an e-mail. Looks like he'd definitely be able to do the job, if he's willing. We'll see.

dgregory -- Thanks; I appreciate the thought, but hold onto your wallet for now. I'm still trying to nail down a more precise figure on the equipment -- if I can locate one. Meanwhile the most practical course would seem to be finding an interim printing source, even if I have to pay more in the short term.

I'll keep you guys posted as things develop.

I need motobecane decals.....Ill contribute to the cause.

I need motobecane decals.....Ill contribute to the cause.

+1. And some Mondia/Super Mondia decals.

Thanks for the input, guys.

tozovr -- Thanks for the tip; I sent your guy an e-mail. Looks like he'd definitely be able to do the job, if he's willing. We'll see.


Steve used to do very very small runs for me, (every time we'd build a new customer's truck we'd get specific decals just for that rig) so I'm thinking it might be a good fit.

RJ

That's encouraging. Really, at this point I'd rather find a shop to do the output than be rushed into purchasing the equipment. I always envisioned getting the gear eventually, but right now so much of my time is invested in creating the new artrwork that trying to take on the printing as well would be a real nightmare.

whatever you decide count me in one way or t'other

marty

bummer. you made some cool stuff, and i had some more projects. hope you work it out.

Don't be too bummed; I've got a lot more cool stuff up my sleeve. I'm not as freaked out over the whole thing as I was a couple days ago; it'll get sorted out in a few days.

Update: I'm through the 'Crying Like a Little Girl' phase, and 'Threatening to Jump Off the Roof' phase, and my choices seem a lot clearer now. For the time being I'll need to have a third party handle the printing. Not only due to the expense of the equipment, but also because of the time factor. It takes a fair amount of time to output decals like these -- especially for someone who hasn't done it before, and I just ain't got it; practically all my time is spent creating the vector art for the decals right now. Further down the road that should change, and doing my own printing might be practical at that point.

I've e-mailed a couple places, and I've got three or four local places I'm going to talk to tomorrow; keep your fingers crossed, and thanks for all your support.

whatever you decide count me in one way or t'other

marty

+1 The Gazelle will be painted one day and I'll happily pay in advance if it helps. Keep us updated.

Mswantak,
Count me in too for helping out - donation, pre-buy, whatever. You provide a great product and a great service for vintage/classic bike owners. Thanks.
Skip

Great, I need more. Keep us posted....

Have you been getting decals which go over or under the top clearcoat of paint?

The ones I've done so far can be clearcoated, but don't have to be. Hopefully, if I can find another printer using dye-sublimation equipment rather than inkjet, that will stay the same.

Mswantak's decals go on great. I accidently mis-located one and had a devil of a time removing it - I just kept scraping with my fingernail. Luckily I had a spare. I'm sure they will stay on longer than the originals. I just used wax over them. Terrific decals. I hope you find a replacement process as good as the current method used.

Good news to report! I've been in contact with two print shops that are willing to take a whack at my workload, and just sent an initial e-mail to a third. The first two are going to print some samples of my stuff, so assuming at least one of them knows what they're doing I'll be able to resume production before too much longer. Too soon to say whether this will impact prices, but my primary concern is that the output quality stay as high as it's been. I'm guessing most of you would want it like that.

Still waiting for that last order from the old printer though. I'll lean on him Monday but I want to avoid antagonizing him in case my new printer needs to contact him for any production info.

Thanks again everybody, for the encouragement, endorsements, and leads on printers. I'll let you know how the samples come out.

Good news to report! I've been in contact with two print shops that are willing to take a whack at my workload, and just sent an initial e-mail to a third. The first two are going to print some samples of my stuff, so assuming at least one of them knows what they're doing I'll be able to resume production before too much longer. Too soon to say whether this will impact prices, but my primary concern is that the output quality stay as high as it's been. I'm guessing most of you would want it like that.

Still waiting for that last order from the old printer though. I'll lean on him Monday but I want to avoid antagonizing him in case my new printer needs to contact him for any production info.

Thanks again everybody, for the encouragement, endorsements, and leads on printers. I'll let you know how the samples come out.

Yay! That really is good news!
I'll be looking for a few things in the coming months, so I hope everything works out well for you.
As Tony Little, the pony-tailed exercise nut screams while on his weird exercise machine, "You can DOOO IIIIITTTTT!!!!"

Great news indeed. I'll certainly take quality over price (within reason of course ;)). Keep us updated and glad to hear you're not out of the fight yet. :)

whatever you decide count me in one way or t'other

marty

ditto
sounds like you've done great service for guys here, so anything to help is okay with me.

Okay; how 'bout you guys come over and do my laundry? :D

Okay; how 'bout you guys come over and do my laundry? :D
I'm not touching your cycling clothes without a stick.
:)

Good news to report! I've been in contact with two print shops that are willing to take a whack at my workload, and just sent an initial e-mail to a third. The first two are going to print some samples of my stuff, so assuming at least one of them knows what they're doing I'll be able to resume production before too much longer. Too soon to say whether this will impact prices, but my primary concern is that the output quality stay as high as it's been. I'm guessing most of you would want it like that.

Still waiting for that last order from the old printer though. I'll lean on him Monday but I want to avoid antagonizing him in case my new printer needs to contact him for any production info.

Thanks again everybody, for the encouragement, endorsements, and leads on printers. I'll let you know how the samples come out.

That's great news. Hopefully he'll pony up. :D

well let us know when you're ready for more orders. I'll probably have you do up the Gazelle set when you're ready again. :)

Got an invoice from the old printer this evening for the final order, so that means it's finished. With any luck, maybe I can get my mitts on them by the end of the week and get them mailed off to you guys..

Got an invoice from the old printer this evening for the final order, so that means it's finished. With any luck, maybe I can get my mitts on them by the end of the week and get them mailed off to you guys..

Mike,

How did it go? Did you get that last set in? Did any of your leads pan out?

JR

ditto
sounds like you've done great service for guys here, so anything to help is okay with me.
Double-ditto for me. I just started the "search for decals" and suddenly, here's this post. I'll keep an eye on it and let you know if I find anything helpful. I've yet to contact my sources from back in the day, so we'll see what turns up.
Good luck w/that,
Dr.D

Mike,

How did it go? Did you get that last set in? Did any of your leads pan out?

JR

The last shipment from the old printer came in, and it's all sorted and headed back out to you guys first thing tomorrow morning.

Still waiting to see samples from the three places I contacted; planning to call and rattle cages tomorrow.

Thanks for the update. Good luck on finding a new supplier.

Spoke with two of the three new printing possibilities today. The first wasn't having much luck; hasn't been able to get his Roland to match the quality of the old printer's Roland output. He hasn't thrown in the towel yet, so he at least gets points for candor and pluck.

The second just received the printed samples and test files I sent, said everything looked good to go and he'd print my samples in the next day or two and get them back to me. He sounds absolutely confident he can match the old samples' quality.

No word from the third guy yet. I found a couple other possibilities and made initial contact, waiting now for a response.

I'm optimistic enough that I've dragged my butt back to the drawing board to start getting caught up on the new orders.

More as it happens.