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People are always wanting us to do labels they have seen somewhere. In order for us to do this, it is much easier to see what they have seen. Many times when doing vehicle graphics, because of different models, etc. seeing what we have to work with is important. With today’s technology and availability of a great camera on your cell phone, this is easier than ever.

That being said. Not everyone is a photographer. Every camera is different, but how you take the picture is the most important part. Three important factors; angle, zoom, and lighting will help us see what you want to be printed.

Angle

Always take your picture at a 90-degree angle and the same height (Figure 1A). Taking a picture at any other angle will distort proportions, shapes, and sizes.

Zoom

Depending on what you are wanting us to see. If it is just a label you want us to print, all we really need to see is the label. Zoom in as close as you can to see the label clearly. If there is any fuzziness, back off of the zoom or get closer to what you are photographing.

Still, there are reasons to zoom out past the edges of the label. Perhaps you want a larger label and want us to see the space we have to work with. Maybe there is a boundary that we need to be aware of. Zoom out just enough so we can see it and the label clearly.

In need of a vehicle graphic, send us a picture of the side you are wanting to mount the sticker. Paying close attention to the angle (90 degrees) and zoom to where we can see the whole side just inside the frame. Having the area outside your affected space will help to measure up the proportions for your specific vehicle model.

Lighting

Proper lighting is important for any picture. If it is difficult for you to see the object when you are taking the picture, the picture itself will be worse. Try taking the picture outside during the day. The sun is the best light you have! If you have to take the picture inside, make note of the type of lighting. Fluorescent lights make colors appear bluer. While incandescents make colors appear yellow to amber.

When referencing color, photos are all wrong, especially digital ones. What you see on your camera or computer screen, may not reflect what I see. Settings for every computer screen are different. I have two computers on my desk and the colors between the two vary. The best means to match color is to send us a sample of the color or reference a known standard, perhaps a Pantone color or a paint chip.

Make sure we get it right the first time. Figures 2A-2E (below) show both correct and improper camera angle and zoom.

Maybe you want us to see a label you had printed somewhere else. If so, great news, no photography needed. If you paid somebody to create a label, you paid them for the artwork. Ask to have your artwork. We prefer to have the vector artwork (drawings with detailed math regarding lines, angles, curves, fonts, colors, etc.). These files will be in *.eps, *.cdr, *.ai format. If one of these is not available a good *.pdf file can work. At very worst, a large *.jpg file will allow us to trace the image.

If you are not sure how to get us the required photo or file, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (800) 348-2454 or send an email to info@kspprints.com.

So you are having this custom label made for the purpose of promoting your business or keeping people safe. However in an industrial facility or in the elements (outdoors) there are conditions that could fade the ink prematurely or wipe it off completely. While our inks are meant to resist fading*, some times additional protection is warranted. Perhaps you want the label to last longer. Other situations, such as when industrial cleaners are used on machinery, could actually remove the ink and your message altogether. Additionally, abrasion can damage a label making it hard to read.

We at KSPprints offer a couple options. There is a clear coat, wherein a clear layer of UV-Resistant Ink is screen-printed over your label. Like our other UV-Resistant inks this clear ink is said to show minimal fading after four to five years. Our other option is lamination. With a few different material options, lamination provides a clear protective surface between the ink and anything else.

Sun Exposure: While Polyester lamination does offer some protection against the sun’s rays, it is undefined. Clear Coating will definitely protect your label from fading for atleast four to five years of UV exposure.

Chemicals & Abrasion: Clear Coating doesn’t really offer you the protection of lamination. Just like the ink that can be wiped or scraped away in the wrong situation a clear coat of ink will do the same.

With all of that said, each situation is different when choosing the right protection for your label order. If you are free of abrasion and chemicals, clear coating is the best option for you. Anytime abrasion or chemicals are involved use lamination to protect your labels.

We carry three types of lamination to give you the best protection:

Polyester Lamination – Gives you an unquantified amount of UV-resistance and the properties of polyester resist chemicals and abrasion quite well. Polyester lamination is great for machine labels that will be cleaned frequently and also for cylinder labels that might bump against each other.

Vinyl Lamination – The thickest of our laminates provides the most protection from abrasion making it great for vehicle graphics.

Gas Grade Lamination – Certain types of machinery exposed to landfill and sewer gases can eat away at your labels. In these situations, you need a lamination with a strong adhesive to seal off the label.

Hopefully this was helpful in planning your order. As always, if you have questions feel free to contact us by phone, (800) 348-2454 or by email, info@KSPprints.com. Thank you for your interest in our products.

*KSP printing methods include digital printing and screen-printing. Digital printing uses outdoor grade inks that will begin to show fading after 2 to 3 years of use outdoors. Screen-printing uses UV-resistant inks can typically be expected to withstand signs of fading for 4 to 5 years.

It is that time of year again… when the leaves turn shades of orange and red, the air gets cooler and the days get shorter. Oh but don’t forget it is Fire Tag Season, the time when Fire Extinguisher Inspection companies begin to order their tags for the new year. Depending on the state where you are located, local regulation may have you changing the color of tags you use for each new year. Most do not change the color year to year but each state does have its regulations that must be followed to a T.

We know a lot about fire extinguisher tags, but we service a number of industries through the United States and North America. We can not be 100% sure about the regulations in your specific area. If you have any question regarding the dscn4017regulations in the state where you do business, contact the State Fire Marshal’s office. Their contact info should be with your license, however I was able to pull a list from Google by searching “State Fire Marshal office”. Several states’ Fire Marshall offices came up through the first several pages.

So the first thing to know when preparing to call for pricing is what is required for your state (color, 1 side or 2). Do you want a metal eyelet or hole only? So assuming that you are going to order, you will need your company info (logo, name, address, phone and so on) If you want to have your license numbers, tech’s name, DOT number, etc. have all this information ready.

One thing is for sure, lots of customers will be ordering their 2017 plastic fire tags all at once and the sooner you order, the better chance you have to receive them when the calendar turns to January.

To get your order started give us a call.

Toll Free: (800) 348-2454

Local: (574) 653-2683

Fax Your Order: (574) 653-2737

Email: info@kspprints.com

Thank you for your business! We’ll talk to you soon!