Would anyone like to give a helmet painter advise? Taking Indocil in a new direction.

[Ryan Young - Indocil]

Here is the deal. I am going to split Indocil art into two departments. Indocil Art and Indocil Digital After many years of painting helmets and getting to where we are as one of the premier helmet painters in the country I am in need of a change. The paint side of my business is successful to a point but we still have no product that we can manufacture. We produce one off works of art for each and every customer and we have reached the price cap in my industry. With out getting to deep into the details of why I need to do what I am doing I just want you to know I am positive I want to take this new direction and need no advise on what we should do with our paint department. I also want to say I don't think of helmet wraps as a easy cash cow but a way to offer a much needed product in my industry. I understand that it is difficult and not as easy as it may look. We use our plotter to make all of our mask and have a very strong foundation to build from. We were one of the first painters to depend on a plotter for layout before it was in every magazine or self help book. We have also used digital prints for decals and images for years in our work. I have needed to purchase a printer for years but have never been able to justify the purchase just for a small number of sponsor decals
I want to develop Indocil Digital to provide a lower cost alterative to our custom helmets. My plan is to have 30 to 50 designs that customers can choose from, add there particular name and number, and we can produce with a week turnaround. I plan on clearing the wrap with an automotive clear and selling them for 350 to 500. I am interested in the new Roland 24 inch print and cut machine they are supposed to be displaying in Vegas over the weekend. I am lost when it comes to the most effective program to produce the art needed to do what I want. I am currently using a PC, Corel and signlab to drive my plotter (I hate my signlab) I do OK but I know I will need to upgrade to get the effects I am looking for. I want to start fresh with this project. I am even considering going to school to learn the foundation of computer design or asking an artist for help. I know a few Tshirt and car designers that may be willing to help me because I will be working in a separate field. My first idea is to start with Adobe Illustrator paired with my Corel on a new Mac. (I don't know what sign program I should look at) I want to get the new Roland 24 but I am open to suggestions but I will not need anything big as I will not wrap anything but helmets. I want the most vibrant bright colors available. I feel I will be better than most if I can focus my attention to the helmet market. What are your thoughts? Where should I look for great prices and service? If any venders would like to reach out to us please do so by using my email ryany@indocilart.com

 

[GraphixUnlimited]

Ryan,

you do amazing work!!! that said, I feel your pain!!! big time man...

I airbrush but you wouldn't know it cause I just cannot justify the time needed to do it anymore as I am so busy making signs, designing logos etc etc.

There is money to be made in the digital print but for the sake of all true artists do not let your painting go... I regret my lack of time I can devote to it daily. Hell... truth be told I too am working on ways to incorporate my paintings back into my daily grind but it is a struggle to be sure.

Good luck in your ventures!