A Problem With Large Patterns

[robbie1]

Hello all. My name is Rob and I have a dilemna. I'm interested in making championship belts that are made like what you see on tv for UFC and WWE. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

The strap is just dyed tooling leather with soft leather cemented on the back to cover the bolts used to attach to the strap. The strap in total is anywhere from 48-50" long. I was going to use a drawing program to design the template for the strap. What would be the easiest way to transfer such a long pattern to the tooling leather? I've heard of people using tracing film but wouldn't that require a lot of pieces of film? Completely lost what to do and just want a clean looking strap after it is cut. Thanks for any help the forum can give.

Rob

Edited December 30, 2010 by robbie1

[dirtclod]

Cut your pattern out of poster board. You will need to tape it togeather. Or if you have a feed store of farm supply store close by go see if they have the cardboard that is put on top and bottom of the pallets that feed comes in on. It's pretty big.

[Gawdzilla]

Professional copy shops can print your pattern on very large stock from a disk. I did a vest that the buyer wanted to be in one piece, no seams except at the shoulders. It was 56" when done and I had it printed on heavy stock measuring 48"x60".

These shops also have large-format scanners that will digitize a pattern so you can modify it in a computer program. The one I use charges $0.50/square foot for a scan.

[robbie1]

Professional copy shops can print your pattern on very large stock from a disk. I did a vest that the buyer wanted to be in one piece, no seams except at the shoulders. It was 56" when done and I had it printed on heavy stock measuring 48"x60".

These shops also have large-format scanners that will digitize a pattern so you can modify it in a computer program. The one I use charges $0.50/square foot for a scan.

I was actually considering going to staples and having it printed on banner paper but i will take your advice. ty so much.

[hidepounder]

I like dirtclod's idea of using poster board and taping it together and I have used the pallet liners he's talking about....they work great also. If you want a more permanent pattern that will last for years then I would recommend using high impact styrene. It comes in 4'x 8' sheets and is pretty easy to cut. You can write notes on using Sharpies and it is impervious toeverythig except heat. It will be available from your local industrial plastics supplier.

Bobby

[Gawdzilla]

I like dirtclod's idea of using poster board and taping it together and I have used the pallet liners he's talking about....they work great also. If you want a more permanent pattern that will last for years then I would recommend using high impact styrene. It comes in 4'x 8' sheets and is pretty easy to cut. You can write notes on using Sharpies and it is impervious toeverythig except heat. It will be available from your local industrial plastics supplier.

Bobby

Ever tried linoleum? Tough, but easy to cut, and you can roll it up when you want to store it. The guy at the local Tandy's uses this system for most of his patterns. The price per square foot is reasonable.

[robbie1]

Ever tried linoleum? Tough, but easy to cut, and you can roll it up when you want to store it. The guy at the local Tandy's uses this system for most of his patterns. The price per square foot is reasonable.

ty all so much. appreciated.