Life Size Photo Cutouts

[aaa_awesome_signs]

For some reason, we get quite a few requests for life size cardboard cutouts of people. I don't do them on carboard, I do them on foam core. I have been making the stand for the out of cardboard.

I'm curious how others make the stands for these. Is there a place I can buy pre-made stands that I can just attach to the back of my cutouts? I don't mind making them, but if there was an easier way, I would like to know.

Any suggestions?

[asignstop]

I've know I've seen them before for "square" foam core displaying (sorry can't recall where),these would probably work just as well for the cutout provided your base area is wide enough - I am curious how you contour cut these out - a CNC? exacto? I tried doing one on chloroplast it was a btich to cut, used a "hot knife" but it kept burning (blackening) the graphics.

[Techman]

cut em out on a router..

[Checkers]

Since there's going to be some waste anyway, I normally cut the base out of the same material that I use on the "cutout", and assemble them in an "X".
You can even get fancy and design/print flooring or base material that can be applied to the base too.

Checkers

[Bill Modzel]

I generally use 4mm coroplast. You can cut through one side and use it for a hinge. I double side tape it to the back and make a hold out brace using velcro to attach it.

[aaa_awesome_signs]

I always cut these by hand. I have some blades that came for a keencut sabre. They are about the size of the box cutter blades, but they are thinner which is easier on the foam. I don't get any jagged edges. If there are tight corners to go around, I switch over to the #11 exacto blades. A router just destroys the foam. I have made them from coro before, but the foam just looks so much better. And i basically do the same thning as Bill for the base, but use cardboard instead. The reason I don't make a stand that goes on the bottom of the standup is for transportation purposes. It is so much easier to transport with a stand that will fold up flat.