Precision Cutting Archives

33 Christmas Tree Designs You Should Know

December 21, 2023 by cole

Looking to add some holiday spirit to your environment? Printed Christmas trees offer a unique and innovative twist to the traditional holiday decor, bringing a touch of modern creativity to festive celebrations. These artificial trees, adorned with vibrant and intricate prints, can showcase a variety of designs, ranging from classic holiday motifs to contemporary and personalized themes.

Printed Christmas trees are not only visually striking but satisfy some people’s reluctance to cut down a live tree. And many are sustainable for year after year use. Additionally, they provide a customizable canvas for individuals and families to express their unique style and preferences, allowing for a personalized and memorable holiday experience. With the convenience of storage and reuse, printed Christmas trees offer a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing alternative, catering to those who seek a blend of tradition and innovation in their seasonal decorations.

After running thousands of holiday projects for major brands – here are 33 Christmas tree designs we think you should know about!

1. Octagonal Curved Tree

This tree uses 8 sheets of material that interlock into one another, with a small base to add stability.

2. Coinciding Triangular Tree

Interlocking triangles create this cool dimensional tree. The assembly is not complicated and can be easily installed in-store.

3. Flat Die-Cut Tree (With Hidden Base)

Need large quantities of trees at a fraction of the price? Nothing beats a perimeter die-cut with no assembly required and a hidden base!!

4. Dimensional Acrylic Tree (Product Holding)

This tree used 2 pieces of edge lit acrylic that vertically interlocked into each other, while the 4 intricately cut shelves interlocked horizontally.

5. Scandinavian Tree

This unique tree only requires a flat sheet of material with an interior interlocking pattern!

6. Routed Flat Tree

A classic and clean look, this was routed with 25mm Sintra. It slid into a PVC base.

7. Simple Interlocking Triangle Tree

This version was digitally printed on 1/4″ falconboard to be easily assembled by store associates!

8. Stackable Angular Tree

This style of tree was routed with 2mm Dibond. For extra “pop” we laminated it with chrome and screen printed on top of it!

9. Classic Christmas Tree Product Display

A classic shelf POP Christmas tree display that has been successfully implemented for years!

10. Flat Adhesive Backed Tree

This version utilizes printed Dispa that attaches to each other with strip tape. Base added for stability.

11. Christmas Tree Display

Need to hold a lot of product? This display uses clear post screws, gloss styrene and corrugate in the shape of a Christmas tree to do just that!

12. Interlocking Acrylic Tree

This version used routed edge lit acrylic to join into itself.

13. Pillowed Polycarbonate Tree

This tree used die-cut crease scores in polycarbonate to create a “pillowed” look. Interior structure needed for stability.

14. Coinciding Tree With Star & Adhesive Backed Ornaments

This version had no print, just die-cutting falconboard.

15. Flat Standee Tree With Cutouts

This tree uses a die-cut flat sheet with interior holes. The rectangular base is also out of the same sheet.

16. Quad Tree With Interior Connectors

Instead of parts sliding together, this utilizes interior pieces cut from the same material to hold the sides together.

17. Twelve Part Backlit Tree

Achieve this stunning look with 12 interlocking die-cut trees of various sizes with 30pt cardstock.

18. Complex Self-Engaging Tree With Ornaments

This version was screen printed and die-cut on corrugate. Interior base is needed to provide stability.

19. Interlocking Tree (Product Holding)

This version uses 4 trees that fit together vertically, with 2 shelves connecting horizontally.

20. Heat Bent Based Flat Trees

This style is routed Sintra with heat bent bases.

21. Interlocking Heat Bent Angular Tree

This version utilizes heat bending and interlocking parts on gloss ABS plastic.

22. Tri Shelf Interlocking Tree

Designed for 3 vertical interlocking trees with 3 horizontal engaging shelves.

23. Dump Bin Tree

Classic dump bin construction with a reinforced base in the shape of a tree.

24. Interlocking Triangular Tree

For a simple installation, this uses 8 interlocking die-cut triangles of various sizes.

25. Heat Bent Shelf Tree (Product Holding)

Designed to hold heavier items, this shelf uses heat bent acrylic held together with post screws.

26. Complex Rigid Interlocking Angular Tree

Manufactured with 12 printed MDF wood interfacing trees, with a square base.

27. Stacked Pyramid Tree

This version utilized 4 stacked pyramids with crease scores to provide dimension.

28. Shaded Dimensional Stacked Tree

Very similar to the stackable angular tree, this uses shaded printing on the interior sides to trick the viewer into seeing an additional dimensional plane.

29. Double Interlocking Tall Tree

This version uses second surface screen printing on clear 5mm acrylic.

30. Stacked Cone Tree

This design uses printed styrene formed into cones with strip tape.

31. Creased & Stacked Angular Tree

This version uses the angular tree design but stacks itself on the opposite edges to give more dimension. An interior interlocking base is required for stability.

32. Die-Cut Lettering Trees

This design uses thru-cuts and crease scores to form lettering for a fun message. Always requires interior base for stability.

33. Accordion Tree

Designed to ship efficiently this tree accordions up and down. Can’t beat cost-effective and easy to install!

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Christmas tree displays are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your display issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

Beginners Guide To Glow In The Dark Graphics

October 24, 2023 by cole

When it comes to graphics in the dark you have 3 options to choose from, glow in the dark (phosphorescent) printing, fluorescent printing, and reflective printing.

All three of these have their benefits and drawbacks, so the choice ultimately comes down to your environment and specific needs. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at glow in the dark ink and substrates, fluorescent ink and substrates, and reflective printing to help you determine which type is better for your needs.

Glow in the Dark Printing

Phosphorescent, also referred to as Glow in the Dark or Luminescent Powders are pigments that absorb light and slowly emit a glow over time. The glow is best seen in darkness or under black-light conditions. Depending on the pigment and pigment load in the ink, the glow may last a few minutes or several hours. This comes in UV-curable and solvent-based ink series.

There are also glow in the dark substrates that can be overprinted with regular (the glow in the dark property would be reversed out print).

Advantages of Glow In The Dark Printing:

Ease Of Application: This does not require blacklight to be seen in the dark.
Substrate Employment: This can be used on most substrates.

Disadvantages of Glow in The Dark Printing:

Versatility: Has a slight green or blue tint to the areas of the design when the ink is inactive (in the light).
Duration: Powder glow color & duration are not indefinite.

Fluorescent Printing

Fluorescent or neon-printed inks contain pigments that absorb ultraviolet light which then reflects back out. We use these inks heavily for daytime applications and even formulate our own colors to extend the color gamut. They also happen to light up in the dark under black light. If the desired result is for these colors to light up even more in the dark we add an optical brightener to the color process.

You can also overprint on a fluorescent material instead of utilizing fluorescent inks.

Advantages of Fluorescent Ink:

Substrate Employment: This can be used on most substrates.
Versatility: Holds the same color when inactive (in the light) and active (dark).

Disadvantages of Fluorescent Ink:

Ease of Application: Relies on blacklight to activate the color.

Reflective Printing

Reflective printing enhances visibility by reflecting light, making the printed design appear brighter and more noticeable when illuminated by headlights, flashlights, or other light sources. This type of printing is commonly used for safety applications, such as signage, vehicle markings, and equipment that needs to be visible in situations where lighting might be limited. Learn more about substrate options here.

Advantages of Reflective Printing:

Ease of Application: Highly visible, tested, trusted, and proven by governments, military, and corporations seeking to improve safety.
Substrate Employment: Can be ink or base substrate.
Color Versatility: Custom colors

Disadvantages of Reflective Printing:

Versatility: Requires light pointing at it.
Application Usage: Mostly used for safety applications.

Final Thoughts

All these methods for lighting up graphics in the dark have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If there is no way to add blacklight to your environment and color variations in the light are not a concern, glow in the dark printing may be the best option. If you need your colors to look the same in the dark and light, fluorescent printing just may be the ticket. If you’re looking to increase safety, reflective printing may best illuminate warnings and hazards. Ultimately, these approaches all offer an effective solution for providing eye-catching visibility of your graphics in the dark.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Glow in the dark graphics are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your glow in the dark graphic issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

Which Is Better: Static Clings vs Light Adhesive Clings?

January 30, 2023 by cole

When it comes to decorating windows and other surfaces with a cling there are two main options to choose from, adhesive clings and static clings.

A “cling” refers to (typically a temporary, vinyl) decal material that adheres to a surface using alternative methods of attraction.

Both types of clings have their benefits and drawbacks, so the choice ultimately comes down to your environment and specific needs. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at adhesive clings and static clings to help you determine which type is better for your needs.

Static Clings

Static clings are a highly plasticized (typically vinyl) soft pliable film that attracts to a surface using cohesive force. Unlike the name suggests, static clings don’t actually use static electricity. They are ideal for temporary solutions and are easy to remove, leaving no residue or damage to the surface. Static clings are also very affordable, making them a popular choice for temporary promotions, sales, or events.

Advantages of Static Clings:

Installation Ease: Unlike other types of window graphics, static clings do not require any special tools or skills to apply. They are attached to a clean, dry glass surface by simply peeling them off the backing paper and pressing into place, or using a wet spray or application fluid to provide a clear, no-bubble installation. These are generally twice as thick as low-tack adhesive clings, which provide a durable and clean look.
Reusability: Static clings can be removed, stored, and re-used multiple times (if cleaned and maintained properly). This not only alleviates the cost and purchasing task of reorders, but reduces unnecessary waste in our landfills.
Affordability: Static clings are the budget-friendly choice for programs with frequent graphic changes as no professional installation is required, and they are less expensive than low-tack adhesive products.

Disadvantages of Static Clings:

Limited Durability: Debris may build up on the static cling or on the surface it is being applied to, which can affect its ability to adhere.
Not Ideal for Extreme Climates: Static clings may droop or fail in colder temperatures (under 32°F) and in high-humidity environments.
Lifespan: The clinging ability may decrease over time, particularly if the static cling is not used for a long period. The plasticizers can migrate causing the material to lose its stickiness.
Ink Variability: The type of ink used when printing will impact the sticking ability, so it’s important to consider this when choosing graphics. Techniques to avoid problems include: choking in the art to leave a (no ink) border for optimum attraction to glass, reverse printing, or using an alternate static cling material.
Surface Variability: Static clings can only bond to surface types with a similarly bonded attraction, this is typically only glass.

Low Tack Adhesive Clings

Low-tack adhesive clings are a type of window cling that uses a light adhesive to attach to a surface. The adhesive is designed to be non-permanent, making it easy to remove and reposition the cling without leaving any residue or damage to the surface. Low tack clings offer a semi-permanent solution, as they will stay in place but can be easily removed when desired.

Advantages of Low Tack Adhesive Clings:

Durability: Low-tack adhesives have a better bond than a static cling to all smooth surfaces it can be applied to.
Ideal for Extreme Climates: Can withstand more variable environmental conditions based on adhesive specifications.
Print Variability: These are much easier to finish, print, and die-cut. This provides a wider range of production processes available for printing and die-cutting, expanding opportunities for cost efficiencies.
Surface Variability: Low Tack Adhesive clings are more versatile when adhering to various surfaces.

Disadvantages of Low Tack Adhesive Clings:

Reusability: Low Tack adhesives generally cannot be reused once removed.
Installation Ease: More difficult to handle due to typically thinner gauge material, which can lead to the cling sticking to itself if an edge flops over while installing.

Advantages of Low Tack and Static Clings:

Temporary Solution: Low Tack and Static clings are designed for temporary use, making them ideal for short-term promotions, sales, or events. They can be easily removed and do not leave any residue or damage to the surface, which makes them a great choice for temporary window graphics.
No Professional Install Needed: Unlike other types of window graphics, clings do not require any special tools or skills to apply.
Versatile: Modernistic offers screen or digital print, roll-fed or sheet-feed static clings of any size or shape.
Affordable: Window clings are a cost-effective option as they do not require professional installation and are generally less expensive than low-tack adhesives. This also makes them a budget-friendly choice when needing frequent graphic changes.
Safe for Glass: Static clings are safe for glass surfaces, as they do not leave any residue or damage to the surface.
Energy Efficient: Depending on the size, window clings can help improve the energy efficiency of your store by blocking out harmful UV rays and reducing heat loss. This can result in lower energy bills and a more comfortable indoor environment.

Disadvantages of Low Tack and Static Clings:

Life Span: Window clings are intended as a short-term solution for window graphics. If you require a more permanent solution, it may be best to consider alternatives to clings.
Durability: Window clings use temporary adhesive, which makes them less durable compared to permanent window graphics, as they are meant for short-term use and can be easily removed.
Accuracy: Window clings are not necessarily meant to be installed professionally, which can result in a more variable outcome as the final appearance may depend on an individual’s installation skills and techniques.

*These **window graphics** were professionally installed due to the need for accuracy and durability

Final Thoughts

Both static clings and low-tack adhesive clings have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you need a temporary solution that is easy to apply and remove, static clings may be the best option. If you need a semi-permanent solution that is also easy to remove and reposition, low-tack adhesive clings may be the best option. Ultimately, both types of clings offer affordable and effective solutions for your window graphics needs.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Window clings are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your window cling issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

10 Tips To Save Money When Buying Fleet Graphics

January 6, 2023 by cole

Fleet graphics are inherently one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising, passively driving your message home to millions while you transfer goods.

64% of US drivers notice vehicle graphics
– Nielsen Out of Home Advertising Study 2019
One Truck With Fleet Graphics generates an average of 30,000-70,000 impressions per day (10-14 million per year)
– “Measuring the Value of Vehicle Wraps” by ARD Ventures
Vehicle marketing results in a 97% message recall, compared to a 19% retention for stationary signage
– RYP & Becker Group
Out-of-home advertising generates nearly 4x more online activations per ad dollar than TV, radio, and print
– Nielsen March 2017 OOH Online Activation Survey

Memorable fleet graphics have great potential to increase engagement and revenues. Modernistic can provide cost-effective solutions for your next project – further increasing ROI to your bottom line. With fifty years’ experience printing, cutting, and installing major brand vehicle wraps, we’ve developed the following 10 tips to save money on mobile media programs.

1. Online Ordering

Ordering your fleet graphics from an online portal saves you time and keeps the buying process simple and organized. You can track orders and even let franchisees purchase the fleet graphics they need. Check out our easy-to-use online print ordering system here.

2. Know Your Fleet Graphic Coverage Options!

There are a lot of different graphic coverage options available to fit your budget and advertising goals. With the right graphic, it’s possible to achieve high-quality results that meet your unique business needs. Below is a quick guide.

Spot Graphics / Decals

Spot graphics includes simple logos and/or cut lettering to help customers recognize your business.

Partial Wraps

A partial wrap typically covers at least 1/3 of your vehicle makes your company stand out and enhances brand awareness.

Full Wrap

Reflective Accents

Full Reflective Wrap

3. Utilize The OEM Vehicle Color

Expenses can be minimized by ordering vehicles in the color you plan to use for your fleet graphics and then adding eye-catching graphics! Dialog between fleet graphics managers and vehicle purchasers often miss this no-brainer idea.

4. Make Your ROI Count By Standing Out

Sometimes you gotta go big or go home! A unique fleet graphic will promote more brand awareness than a simple one. A slight upgrade to design and coverage may dramatically enhance that eye-popping effect. Take time to determine how the desired outcome will best be achieved within the scope of your budget.

5. Die-Cut Only

A common misconception in fleet graphics is that they must be printed products. This is not the only option! If the material comes in the desired color, we can simply die-cut it to your desired shape. Another great way to save money is to utilize laminates. For example, we applied anti-graffiti laminate on city buses that were constantly being tagged [spray paint]. Once installed, graffitied buses simply go through the bus washing station for removal – saving thousands in repainting costs.

6. Choose The Right Fleet Graphic Material

There are thousands of fleet graphic materials, film types that you can get lost in. We examine the application and the expected service life of your graphics to properly determine what substrate and process should be utilized. The risk of selecting the wrong material is not only a loss of time and money but could damage your brand’s reputation. When you’re talking about the essence of a company’s brand, the performance of a material is of the utmost importance.

7. Efficient Design

As is true in any marketing program, efficient foundational design can reduce the total cost of a project. In the example below, partial graphics are utilized on a white trailer, however, it gives the appearance of a full wrap. This not only reduced costs for the client but by utilizing creative art, their brand awareness intensified and resulted in improved ROI.

8. Think Outside The Box

Let’s face it; this is an overused business cliché. But the principles it stands for – approaching problems in innovative ways, conceptualizing problems differently, and understanding your position in relation to any particular situation – is our goal with every project.

Don’t overlook approaching a fleet graphics project with a unique idea. Below is an example of a creative solution, printing on banner material for a large scale, durable portable storage container fleet graphic campaign.

9. Design With Safety In Mind!

50% of traffic deaths happen at night – National Safety Council
Visibility decreases by 95% at night – U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

Creating a culture of safety with your fleet graphics is more than reducing hazards; doing so can also increase morale and productivity, and decrease insurance premiums for your business. We have helped hundreds of fleets implement this by manufacturing and installing reflective graphics, keeping drivers safe and their brand at the top of mind, no matter the hour. For reflective best practices, we highly recommend reading the U.S. Department of Justice’s Study on Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity.

10. Curveball! Custom Paint Masking

There are times when a printed/cut fleet graphic isn’t the most practical solution. Custom paint masking can improve your bottom line if you have a paint process, need extreme durability, deploy a high quantity of vehicles, or utilize a complex painting assembly. Here’s a great example of how we helped save a motorcyle brand millions of dollars through our custom paint masking.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Fleet Graphics are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your fleet graphics issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

What is Die Cutting?

July 22, 2022 by shawn

Cutting techniques can make or break a project budget. That is why it is important to learn when to use the right machine for the job. Otherwise, you could be losing unnecessary money. We will look at what die cutting is and when you should use it!

Simple Answer:

In its simplest form, die cutting is essentially just a large cookie cutter for your design. It’s meant to pump out parts fast and precisely. Similar to screen printing, the setup for die-cutting takes longer but is faster on the production end. Its sweet spot is large quantities with substrates less than .5” thick. If you have a thicker substrate or smaller quantities that’s okay! There are plenty of other cutting options and we have even die-cut foam up to 3” thick! That is why it’s important to have a printer with the knowledge and alternate cutting capabilities in-house.

A die-cutting project has 3 elements.

1. The Die Line

The die line is essentially the guide for us to make the cuts or creases. These die lines can be very tricky to read, but it is imperative that they are correct.

2. The Cutting Die / The Die

A die can either be curved or flat. We typically used a curved die (aka a rotary die) when the parts are small and there is a dramatically higher volume (think sticker size). Every cutting die has a base with blades sticking out of it. Some of those blades are sharper to cut straight through and some are duller to score the material in case you need it to fold or bend. The rubber pieces are to help the blades cut evenly.

3. Die-Cutting Machine

There are 3 major die-cutting machines: roll fed die-cutting, sheet fed die-cutting, and rotary die-cutting. Typically, a die-cutting machine is 4 feet wide so you would want the dimensions of the die-cut part to be less than 22” x 32”. We don’t believe in being held back and that is why we have some of the largest format die-cutting machines in the US.

The more you are under budget, the more revenue you produce. It is important that you are using the most efficient method based on your project specs and not constrained by machine capabilities. Otherwise, it can limit your budget and weigh down your bottom line. Shameless plug: If you want to know if your project is as efficient as it could be, we would be happy to give you a 2nd opinion! Our scope of equipment ensures that you are using the best method for your project.