Taus,
I've got a post on RunRyder showing my new heli design. The stickers were designed on the computer, but it took a lot of manual trimming because I couldn't get the blade height correct.
http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/t189804p1/
Anyway, I did some reading online and some more experimenting with different decal materials today. Most vinyl plotters use an adjustable downforce on the knife, going for 10-500 grams of force. I have no idea how the machines adjust for this (if it is software or there is some kind of pressure sensor.) In any event I experimented with different socket weights until I found what cut regular sign vinyl the best. I then took my digital gram scale and put it under the cutter. The weight (force) was about 150 grams. I read somewhere on a sign supply webstore that a similar vinyl should be cut at 80-120 grams of force, so I am not far off. Unweighted, my setup puts 70 grams of force, which is too light to cut reliably.
Nice job on the Raptor logo!
-Steven Balder