The beast and the banner
Con Season 2025
On Sunday, June 8th, my hometown show, the Albany Comic Con, officially became my first show of 2025. I always have a great time catching up with everyone and getting out of the studio to get the stink off of me. Thanks to John Belskis for consistently putting on the best show in the NY Hudson Valley.
Out with the Old and in with the New
One of the things I like to do for the show is update my banner. It makes me feel fresh going into the show, and I get to highlight the work I have been doing for the last 6 months. My very banner one lost its tension. Rather than read the instructions, I opened it. SPRANG! The spring let loose…Uh-oh. Time to order another one. But on the upside, by ordering the same model, I would have some spare parts around.
Changing banners can get expensive, especially if you order the premium set up. The quality of many of affordable ones has declined in recent years. I have several older inexpensive banners in various stages, with spare parts, so I reuse them.
Most banners come with a strip of self-adhesive tape on the top and bottom to attach the print, but it is usually only good for one-time use with a non-glue pressure clip at the top. What I do is attach my print to the plastic sheet coming out of the base with 2-inch clear tape. This way, I can cut it off and change prints as needed. I am careful to use the key; no more “SPRANG” for me.
Okay, so now the prints.
The Beast: My Design Jet 800
This printer comes with a story. In what now feels like another lifetime ago, my partner Ms. M, Mark Dipofi, his wife Cindy, and I had many good times and adventures together biking, dining, and a legendary Halloween party. Sadly, Mark left his body several years ago. He is missed. One particular day Mark called me. He was desperate as Cindy had given him an ultimatum: Either the plotter in the basement is gone today or it will go out in the morning’s trash. “If you can get it today, it’s yours,” Mark exclaimed. How could I say no? A free large-scale color printer!
Not just any large-scale printer, but a HP Design Jet 800 42-inch poster printer. I had worked with plotters in my day gig as a graphic designer; I knew this printer. I was already in love. I drove the hour and a half to their house.
Mark and I hauled the printer carcass out of his basement and into the back of my Ford Explorer. It was one of the last times I saw Mark. Now the beast was mine to deal with.
I have had to make repairs myself to the plotter over the years, but praise the lord of instructional videos and an inexpensive supply of parts available. The current generic printer setting on my computer has kept the beast on my network. On occasion, Ms. M has eyes the beast and comments, “How long are we going to keep that thing around?”
Forever, I hope.
Thanks, Mark.
The Banners
The last banner I bought was on Amazon. Here is the link. If you scroll through the images, it shows where you would attach the art. Easy enough to cut off any paper and tape a new print down. Here is the link.
https://www.amazon.com/Yescom-Aluminum-Retractable-Display-Promotion/dp/B07HQK371W/ref=pd_ybh_a_d_sccl_1/143-4103733-6374029?pd_rd_w=ZSjx3&content-id=amzn1.sym.67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_p=67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_r=XPANMXGJSXSDZJS2510J&pd_rd_wg=fjqea&pd_rd_r=20c156f0-d062-4d40-b79f-330b8664d1c1&pd_rd_i=B07HQK371W&psc=1
What do you use to trim the banner? I need a new one myself. Like to have it for ECCC! Thanks.