Like lots of topics on here - lots of threads, but a lot don't contain any extra useful information. Being directed to the guide and then on to www.fancyplates.com is probably enough for most - but I'm a fussy sod and wanted to know more about the plates they produced before ordering.
The following are my questions, and their answers (copied and pasted from email.)
Q1 I recently had a plate made at Halfords but was dissappointed that some of the letters weren't quite straight - they said it was done manually and that was the best they could do. How do you make yours?
A Our letters will be perfectly straight!
Q2 Are the characters centralised on the plate - i.e. is the gap between the edge of the characters and the edge of the plate the same top and bottom, and left and right? (Irrespective of your own 'stamp' that you may apply along the bottom.)
A The characters will be perfectly centered on the plates!
Q3 I'd like a smaller front plate (height wise) - would the characters be reduced in size, proportionally along with the height?
A They'll be reduced proportionally unless stated otherwise!
Q4 Do the plates have the same style edge finishing (e.g. a bevelled edge) - even when made to smaller dimensions?
A Identical bevelled edge on all plate sizes!
Q5 Assuming I want a standard UK rear plate (with BSAU 145d, manufacturers name and postcode) but my own design of front plate - how do I achieve this? Would I need to order the front plate through the 'Fancy plates' constructor and the rear through the 'Standard UK plates' constructor? (and add each to the 'cart') Or can I order both using the 'Fancy plates' constructor and by leaving the rear normal size, it would be just the same as a standard UK plate?
A Order the front plate from the Fancy Constructor and rear plate from the Standard UK Constructor!
Q6 As a fully paid member of cliosport.net, I understand that I am entitled to a discount - but how much is it and how do I get it?
A When ordering mention that you are a Cliosport member in the special requirements, you'll receive a 10% refund!
I've edited Q5 - less wordy, and makes more sense. But answer still valid.
To be fair to Halfords the characters on their plate were only out of alignment by one or two millimetres - like I said I'm fussy! And they did say they'd be getting some new laser cutting system in.
So I ordered some new plates from Fancyplates. Standard UK rear. For the front I ordered 94mm by 520mm. Most on here reckon 90mm is the perfect height to fill the recess. After measuring the recess myself, and finding a post on here from someone who'd ordered 94mm - I went with that. I've no idea where anyone gets 90mm from - I can't imagine the bumper design was changed over the years. But to each their own - better to measure it yourself.
For information here are my other specifications for the front -
Characters 95% of normal size (i.e. 75mm high not 79mm.)
Centre of each character in the same position that the centre of each character would be in, if it were a standard (i.e. 112 by 520) plate. If you know what I mean :S.
BSAU 145d added to bottom right corner (er.......for no particular reason.)
Both plates completely plain - no border, national flag, or anything else.
The plates were ordered on Monday (15th) and arrived on Saturday.
The plates seem good quality, and fancyplates seem to offer a good overall service - really quick response to my list of questions.
I fitted them on Sunday using a strip of the Heavy Duty Velcro from Halfords. I was dubious about whether it would be strong enough - IT IS STUPIDLY STRONG! But don't do what I did - apparently you're supposed to leave it for a bit for the adhesive to harden before messing around with it. But I think I got away with it - seems solid enough. (Note to self - read the instructions before you start a job, not when you've finished and you're tidying up!)
I feel obliged to also add : the front plate isn't road legal - for offroad use only!
I hope some of you find the above information useful.
The following are my questions, and their answers (copied and pasted from email.)
Q1 I recently had a plate made at Halfords but was dissappointed that some of the letters weren't quite straight - they said it was done manually and that was the best they could do. How do you make yours?
A Our letters will be perfectly straight!
Q2 Are the characters centralised on the plate - i.e. is the gap between the edge of the characters and the edge of the plate the same top and bottom, and left and right? (Irrespective of your own 'stamp' that you may apply along the bottom.)
A The characters will be perfectly centered on the plates!
Q3 I'd like a smaller front plate (height wise) - would the characters be reduced in size, proportionally along with the height?
A They'll be reduced proportionally unless stated otherwise!
Q4 Do the plates have the same style edge finishing (e.g. a bevelled edge) - even when made to smaller dimensions?
A Identical bevelled edge on all plate sizes!
Q5 Assuming I want a standard UK rear plate (with BSAU 145d, manufacturers name and postcode) but my own design of front plate - how do I achieve this? Would I need to order the front plate through the 'Fancy plates' constructor and the rear through the 'Standard UK plates' constructor? (and add each to the 'cart') Or can I order both using the 'Fancy plates' constructor and by leaving the rear normal size, it would be just the same as a standard UK plate?
A Order the front plate from the Fancy Constructor and rear plate from the Standard UK Constructor!
Q6 As a fully paid member of cliosport.net, I understand that I am entitled to a discount - but how much is it and how do I get it?
A When ordering mention that you are a Cliosport member in the special requirements, you'll receive a 10% refund!
I've edited Q5 - less wordy, and makes more sense. But answer still valid.
To be fair to Halfords the characters on their plate were only out of alignment by one or two millimetres - like I said I'm fussy! And they did say they'd be getting some new laser cutting system in.
So I ordered some new plates from Fancyplates. Standard UK rear. For the front I ordered 94mm by 520mm. Most on here reckon 90mm is the perfect height to fill the recess. After measuring the recess myself, and finding a post on here from someone who'd ordered 94mm - I went with that. I've no idea where anyone gets 90mm from - I can't imagine the bumper design was changed over the years. But to each their own - better to measure it yourself.
For information here are my other specifications for the front -
Characters 95% of normal size (i.e. 75mm high not 79mm.)
Centre of each character in the same position that the centre of each character would be in, if it were a standard (i.e. 112 by 520) plate. If you know what I mean :S.
BSAU 145d added to bottom right corner (er.......for no particular reason.)
Both plates completely plain - no border, national flag, or anything else.
The plates were ordered on Monday (15th) and arrived on Saturday.
The plates seem good quality, and fancyplates seem to offer a good overall service - really quick response to my list of questions.
I fitted them on Sunday using a strip of the Heavy Duty Velcro from Halfords. I was dubious about whether it would be strong enough - IT IS STUPIDLY STRONG! But don't do what I did - apparently you're supposed to leave it for a bit for the adhesive to harden before messing around with it. But I think I got away with it - seems solid enough. (Note to self - read the instructions before you start a job, not when you've finished and you're tidying up!)
I feel obliged to also add : the front plate isn't road legal - for offroad use only!
I hope some of you find the above information useful.
