Replica Bubble-Script Hull Graphic Solution ...Need your help!!!

[56mulberry]

Okay--for those of you that have the early "bubble script" hull graphics, you know that neither any NOS graphics nor any digital/computer file exists that would allow us to carry a disk to the vinyl sign shop and have them cut it out for us.  I have been fretting and fussing for  over a year now for a way to acquire a new graphic for my 1980 AS without cutting by hand or painting. I have a couple threads on here about it.

So I finally talked with a good buddy who is a graphic designer and I sent him a bunch of hi-res photos of graphic on my boat with measurments accurate within +/- 1/64"  He is able to use the photos (and the letterhead i now have a copy of with the American Skier logo on it) to create a reproduction of the sticker in something he calls a "vector" file.  This is important as it will allow the vinyl shop to make the sticker in the original/OEM size for your boat as well as scaling it down for other uses such as the transom sticker that is outline style or make one for your truck window or RV or whatever.

 Unfortunately the only way that we have come up with-- after much talking with vinyl guys --to create the white lettering with black outline that is easy to apply-- is to actually do an under/overlay process.  That means we will do a full size black graphic then a slightly reduced white graphic that leaves a black edge showing -mimicking the OEM graphic quite accurately.  The black will be applied to the boat as one single transfer (underlay)  then the white as a second transfer over the black (overlay).  The only drawback is the vinyl over vinyl over gelcoat situation but my vinyl guy says that is not a real issue. This will also make it a little more expensive as you are basically creating a double graphic which uses twice the amount of vinyl which costs more but when the options are considered I do not see another reasonable solution.  We considered cutting the black outline out as a seperate trasfer but it becomes extremely difficult to apply a small outline accurately although this is still a consideration yet if we could get the black outline on the same transfer tape as the white lettering--therein doth lie the rub!!!  This would give an original black/white looking sticker-- but obviously it could be cut in any colors someone wanted to use otherwise.

Anyhoo--my buddy will do the job for the very nominal fee of $250--which is about half-price probably considering the 5-6 hours it will take if all goes well the first time--I have faith in him--I have known him since 8th grade (for 28 years now?) and he is meticulous about all of his work.  He will not be happy unless it is perfect.  I guess I am looking for some folks who are willing to buy in with me on it and get it done. I would be happy to make the file available to the forum members once it is done, with the ones who help pay for graphic work getting it too of course.

I dont know how else to do this --so if it is an issue please jump in moderators and correct me on how to accomplish this.  I am not trying to make any money off this project I dont guess--I just would like to solve a problem for others that I am attempting to overcome myself----Please let me know by replying on this thread so we can gauge interest.

Thanks--Doug Roberts

[Mike Harry]

The way I see this, and I could be wrong, is there are well over 100 users on this forum. Even if you get only 40 or 50 to send $5 to $7 you could get it done.

I would be willing to chip in $20 if I am getting my own personal copy of the file that I can take down to any shop and have them plot it out for me.

Id be willing to drop MUCH more if the file would also carry the "Barefoot Skier" side logo with the 2 "Feet"

Just a suggestion. If it is possible (Phil) put out a pole on who would be willing to buy in for the file and take it from there.

[56mulberry]

OK--UPDATE:  talked to my vinyl guy and we can now use a UV vinyl with a solvent based print to put the black outline on the white letter then laminate over it which will essentially be a "car-wrap" style of graphics using their vinyl--has a life of 5-7+ years and is what the majority of manufacturers are doing on boats from the factory right now and for quite a while.  This will cut the cost to @ $10 per sq ft of material and can be done with both stickers on a single run and as a single transfer.  Beacuse it will be a "vector" file in Adobe Illustrator, the graphic can be infintely resized, done as an outline only or changed to the color of your choice by your vinyl shop of choice very simply.  Before there were concerns with printing the black outline as the dye was waterbased and deteriorated quickly from UV and water assault--with the UV laminate and solvent-based dyes this is not an issue.  Am waiting for my graphics guy to get back to me on a new price since this cuts his work dramatically.  ANd you will probably be looking at about $100 to have a shop cut/print the vinly for you--most charge $8-12 per square foot to do these kind of projects and this is a 8-10 foot job and can probably squeeze the transom outline sticker and some others inas well on same piece of vinyl.

NEXT BIG PROJECT: GOing to try to do the same with the bikini girl on the flag shield to use.  WOuld like to make it so one can get a complete set of boat stickers inc. Hull graphics x2, bikini girl on shield x2, and transom outline x1 as on set ready to transfer on to boat.  Wondering if a full set ready to go would be interesting to folks?

PS: PHIL:  WIll look into the barefoot skier issue --maybe you could send me a good res pic of your sticker in color and BW and I can show it to my guy and see what he charge?  ALthough the "skier" will be the same--he just need to reproduce the "barefoot" and the feets..DOUG

WILL KEEP ALL POSTED WITH PROGRESS AS IT UNFOLDS HERE SOON

[Midskier]

I have a few "Barefoot" pics here

http://s533.photobucket.com/albums/ee337/midskier/84%20barefoot%20skier/

if you can use them great if not.......... some one else will have ot step up

Dan T

[phil]

You hung out with Banana George? Awesome.

[Mike Harry]

I appreciate it Dan. I am sure I will use those pics, I also have trace paper with with the exact size and spacing here at the house for the "Barefoot Skier". Just been waiting on the right time and price to do something with it 

[56mulberry]

THose "barefoot" pics are perfect for him to use and he would only need do the "barefoot" portion and the two little happy feet as the "skier" looks identical.

My eventual goal is to have a single transfer made that will have two "bubble script" hull decals, a transom outline "american skier" decal, and two bikini-ski-girl-on-a-shield graphics as one unit.  Basically a whole boat ready to lay on the hull would come in a single cardboard tube.

I keep working on it--DOUG

[Mike Harry]

Doug, I have exact size rubbings of "Barefoot Skier" and the feet........ just saying.........

Id be willing to pay A LOT if I could get

1. American Skier (bubble script)

2. Barefoot Skier (bubble script)

2. Ski Girl Shield

4 Advance Shield...... also on the paperwork I sent you  ;-)

5 Transom outline

But I would want it on a disk if that is possible........