My solution to dark badges / lettering on dark colors -- contrasting color vinyl

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I've often wondered why they use dark badges, even on dark colors. While I understand the need for all badges to have the same color scheme, I wonder why they didn't simply use Chrome, which generally shows up well on every color.

With that in mind, I've started tinkering with the idea of getting a Cricut vinyl cutting machine to try to make my own contrasting color for my Atlas Blue Lightning.

So, I actually ordered a machine and started by hand tracing some logos. Once it arrives, I'll need to tinker with the actual sizes multiple times to get the exact sizes, but you've got to start somewhere.

I went to Michaels looking at the various colors of vinyl out there and decided to try yellow, and possibly a turquoise blue.

Here's a mock-up of what the colors could look like. If it works, I'll put up real photos and my artwork files.

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[LightningShow]

There are people already selling vinyl cutouts in tons of different colors. You could probably get them to make the cutouts in whatever color you want if you send them the material.

ETA: if you search for "charge door vinyl" you'll see a few of the people who have added the vinyl lettering to the charge door and tailgate. I did the "lightning blue" on my charge door (SQM truck), it looks like it should've come that way from the factory.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I thought of that, but since I'll end up getting 2 small ones for the charge port, 2 side badges for the back, plus the larger one for the tailgate, then potentially messing on up or changing my mind about the color, I decided the DIY approach would be best.

 

[Pioneer74]

As a University of Michigan fan, I approve of the yellow vinyl on the Atlas Blue. Just call it Maize.

Anyway, I went with the American Flag in mine. I think it looks good.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

As a University of Michigan fan, I approve of the yellow vinyl on the Atlas Blue. Just call it Maize.

Anyway, I went with the American Flag in mine. I think it looks good.

Looks great!

The funny thing is all the links in the forums to get an insert for the charger door no longer work, which is how I decided to look for a DIY approach.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find raw vinyl with Stars and Stripes, but I picked up a few shades of yellow to get me started.

I’ve been watching YouTube videos showing how a Cricut works (mostly housewives creating cards and gifts with flowers). If nothing else, it’s fun giving it a try.

 

[Pioneer74]

Looks great!

The funny thing is all the links in the forums to get an insert for the charger door no longer work, which is how I decided to look for a DIY approach.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find raw vinyl with Stars and Stripes, but I picked up a few shades of yellow to get me started.

I’ve been watching YouTube videos showing how a Cricut works (mostly housewives creating cards and gifts with flowers). If nothing else, it’s fun giving it a try.

Wow. I can't believe the seller I purchased the charge port lettering from stopped selling them. In my mind, they were overpriced for what you got, but with the lack of options I bought them. He had to have made money on them.

 

[bewbie]

I purchased my charge port letters from Etsy, seems like a a lot of people have them there. Went with a raised gloss black vinyl

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I purchased my charge port letters from Etsy, seems like a a lot of people have them there. Went with a raised gloss black vinyl

I’ve had a hard time finding them anywhere, including Etsy, so although it may end up costing more to buy the machine and do it by myself, I can tinker with colors and also cut some other stuff I can’t find anywhere.

I’ve never used a Cricut before, so if nothing else, I can tinker with other designs. For example, I paid about $50 for a set of Blues Brothers faces for my Jeep that I can’t find anywhere and I even paid quite a bit just for the words “Wrangler Unlimited” that I applied to both sides of the hood.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I've posted this in another thread, but I thought it should be here too. This one is NOT photoshopped. It's the finished product.

If anyone is interested, I saved this as an SVG file, and I'm going to make one for the rear "Lightning" logo. It's especially useful for people like me with a dark color.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

Just finished the back...

Once again, this time they're not PhotoShopped... I finally got the measurements right and this is the finished product.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I decided to make a 7 inch version of the logo and try it here:

And here (My next step is the F-150 on the TailGate):

 

[Whoabeats]

I've posted this in another thread, but I thought it should be here too. This one is NOT photoshopped. It's the finished product.

If anyone is interested, I saved this as an SVG file, and I'm going to make one for the rear "Lightning" logo. It's especially useful for people like me with a dark color.

I’d be interested in the file. My wife can do some awesome stuff with her cricut.

 

[IdeaOfTheDayCom]

I’d be interested in the file. My wife can do some awesome stuff with her cricut.

I’d be interested in the file. My wife can do some awesome stuff with her cricut.

Looks like I can't post them directly, but here's a DropBox link, including the Affinity Designer files I created to trace the images.

The key is to scale the final versions in Cricut to get the scale right.

I scaled the charge port to 8.92 inches, and the rear to 17.1 inches. The smaller version of the "Lightning" is up to you because it does't need to fit on or in anything. Mine is 7 inches.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mj1icy42id9k4os/AAC4PTmhlrcETQ62BpBHEgTJa?dl=0

I could clean them up a bit for another cut, but I'm pretty satisfied for now. If anything, I'm thinking of scaling the Lightning part to be a tad thinner so some of the black shows.

 

[ChrisCon]

As adults, how do we live in a world where it's even considered a good idea to put yellow stickers ( or honestly, cheap vinyl anything ) all over a 60k+ truck?.. I had to scroll through this quickly, and I'd just like to say I'm glad that you showed a little restraint and removed them off the tailgate f-150

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