What material is best for channel letter patterns?

[Ace Signs]

We print our own patterns to install our channel letters. I have been using a roll of old grid paper that has been great, my installers really like it because it has some weight to it. Unfortunately that roll is out and I can not seem to find online anywhere the material based on the tag that's inside the tube. I would like something comparable, possibly even slightly heavier. Does anyone have any suggestions of where I may find this material or what are other people using. It needs to be heavy enough that when my installers are out it doesn't rip when they are using the pattern. I have included a photo of the tag on the tube. Any suggestions would be helpful!

 

[StarSign]

Tyvek

 

[RabidOne]

We use regular paper for fabrication, Tyvek for installations.

 

[Gino]

Go to a paper supply company and ask them for 90lb -110lb butt end offset paper rolls on 3 or 4" cores. We got ours at georgi-pacific

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK TYVEK

 

[Boudica]

Hey Tex, would you recommend Tyvek?

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Hey Tex, would you recommend Tyvek?

i recommend loose women, stiff drinks, good chinese food, and tyvek for patterns. nothing less will do.

 

[JBurton]

Hilariously, tyvek is way lighter than any paper, but you basically can't rip it. Roll it really tight, like the size of wrapping paper, and it makes for a very stiff 'handle' that you can unroll right against the wall as you go, holding tension, and adding tape as you go down.

 

[TopFliteGraphics]

Been using coroplast for our install patterns for years - never have to worry about wind or rain messing things up

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Been using coroplast for our install patterns for years - never have to worry about wind or rain messing things up

Ive tried that a few times and didn't really see much benefit. For one, the pattern has to be small enough to not be so many sheets. More than a couple of sheets its too time consuming.

 

[JBurton]

Ive tried that a few times and didn't really see much benefit. For one, the pattern has to be small enough to not be so many sheets. More than a couple of sheets its too time consuming.

Not just that, once a piece starts to sag, it basically falls.
One of my favorite 'patterns' was straight acm used as a background. It was an old flexface polesign that they wanted to add channel letters to, so we cut acm panels for the new cabinet faces with mounting holes and outlines of the letters, and 2" angle to frame it, then we just mounted all the acm, and mounted the letters from the back with speed nuts slipped on the all thread. We could have premounted the letters, but we still needed to tie all the wire and mount letters over the seams.

 

[Bradley D]

TVEK for signs longer than 6' or so. ULINE has a good price.

ULINE also sells freezer paper which we absolutely love for a variety of reasons. It is strong and has waterproof wax on one side. Works great for smaller templates for indoor installs or smaller exterior signs. It is very cheap so we use it to cover tables and even to bunch up for packing material. It also is fantastic to wrap brisket to rest before serving!

Freezer Paper Roll - 48

Protect food products up to 1 year . 40 lb. virgin freezer paper bleached white and coated with 5 lb. polyethylene on one side. Stays strong, even when wet. FDA compliant. Use with 48" Paper Cutter . ULINE offers over 43,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble...

www.uline.com

 

[tulsagraphics]

I print templates on 110lb paper stock -- and it works fine. No complaints. I'm only using it because I'm sitting on a big azz roll that doesn't perform super well for (heavy coverage) poster printing. However, once that material is gone I'll switch to Tyvek.

But I do know how strong Tyvek is. Be sure to remove the Tyvek template -- BEFORE -- you install the letters!

For those already printing on Tyvek, how well does it work with solvent inks? (e.g. drying / puddling issues?) I think I have a sample roll somewhere, but haven't tried printing on it yet.

 

[GaSouthpaw]

I don't have to run patterns much anymore, but I used to use the backing paper off laminate rolls. I would flip it over to the "paper" side and run the patterns with a Sharpie instead of the plotters regular pen. It worked great, and the installers loved it because the backing paper was much more durable than regular pattern paper. I also had a heavier kraft paper that I would us for larger (72" tall) patterns.