Can't find a good silkscreener

antness · 20th July 2004, 12:46 AM

Hi,

For quite a while I've been trying to find a silkscreener for printing text/artwork on some amp panels. I haven't found anyone yet that can do acceptable work. The problems I have been having are blurry/smudged text, thin/fading text, misalignment, and inconsistent quality. The misalignment has been the biggest issue. I've tried the phone books and online searches, and have come up empty handed. Please don't suggest t-shirt shops, I've been there and it's a bad idea. None of the silkscreeners I have tried seem to know what is acceptable work for a piece of high-end audio equipment.

The best I've ever had done was by Lansing Instruments (the popular enclosure manufacturer) but they won't work with anything that isnt their own product.

I'm open to any suggestions/referrals, as I've just about given up finding a competent silkscreener locally.

Steve Eddy · 20th July 2004, 01:34 AM

Does it have to be silkscreen? How 'bout laser?

What is the material and finish of your panels?

se

rabbitz · 20th July 2004, 12:58 PM

Could always use dry transfer like these from Parts Express. Cat No 340-171, 340-172, 340-179. Not tiny though as the letters are 3mm high.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=340-171

Doovieman · 21st July 2004, 08:08 AM

I'd also be really interested to hear people's experiences with silkscreeners. I'm curious as to printing small (9 pt font) text on plastic and anodized aluminum. Any suggestions? Thanks,

Doovieman

bzdang · 22nd July 2004, 04:33 PM

How many parts do you want to have silkscreened? I use a very good chassis painter/silkscreener in Toronto to screen my prototypes, their prices are very reasonable but with the cost of artwork, film, and the time to run it all around, it does add up to hundreds of dollars. That is expensive when you only have one or two panels to do.

dmfraser · 26th July 2004, 06:25 PM

For smaller one offs, I just print the artwork on self adhesive label material. Staples sell 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of labels where the whole sheet is one big label. Otherwise I pront on paper and glue that to the panel, sometimes covering it with clear mylar.

Doovieman · 26th July 2004, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dmfraser
For smaller one offs, I just print the artwork on self adhesive label material. Staples sell 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of labels where the whole sheet is one big label. Otherwise I pront on paper and glue that to the panel, sometimes covering it with clear mylar.

Can you post a pic of both methods' final result? Thanks,

Doovieman

Thunau · 27th July 2004, 08:05 PM

http://www.rapco.com/catalog/default...work4.htm&ID=7
We use Rapco for a lot of custom rack and wall panels at work.
They usually do a good job. The Lasermark process is pretty cool. Call them and find out if they are on the same wavelenght as you.

Thunau · 27th July 2004, 08:07 PM

Nother one we used before is Decoart. They do panels and logos for Crown amps.
http://www.dec-o-art.com/products.htm http://www.dec-o-art.com/products.htm

20th July 2004, 12:46 AM	#1
antness diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia	Can't find a good silkscreener Hi, For quite a while I've been trying to find a silkscreener for printing text/artwork on some amp panels. I haven't found anyone yet that can do acceptable work. The problems I have been having are blurry/smudged text, thin/fading text, misalignment, and inconsistent quality. The misalignment has been the biggest issue. I've tried the phone books and online searches, and have come up empty handed. Please don't suggest t-shirt shops, I've been there and it's a bad idea. None of the silkscreeners I have tried seem to know what is acceptable work for a piece of high-end audio equipment. The best I've ever had done was by Lansing Instruments (the popular enclosure manufacturer) but they won't work with anything that isnt their own product. I'm open to any suggestions/referrals, as I've just about given up finding a competent silkscreener locally.

22nd July 2004, 04:33 PM	#5
bzdang diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pickering, Ontario	How many parts do you want to have silkscreened? I use a very good chassis painter/silkscreener in Toronto to screen my prototypes, their prices are very reasonable but with the cost of artwork, film, and the time to run it all around, it does add up to hundreds of dollars. That is expensive when you only have one or two panels to do. __________________ Benford's law of controversy - Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available.

26th July 2004, 06:25 PM	#6
dmfraser diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Orange County, CA	Panels For smaller one offs, I just print the artwork on self adhesive label material. Staples sell 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of labels where the whole sheet is one big label. Otherwise I pront on paper and glue that to the panel, sometimes covering it with clear mylar. __________________ Dan Fraser

27th July 2004, 08:05 PM	#8
Thunau diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: PA USA	http://www.rapco.com/catalog/default...work4.htm&ID=7 We use Rapco for a lot of custom rack and wall panels at work. They usually do a good job. The Lasermark process is pretty cool. Call them and find out if they are on the same wavelenght as you. __________________ Jan "Most people just say what they know, the wise ones know just what to say."

27th July 2004, 08:07 PM	#9
Thunau diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: PA USA	Nother one we used before is Decoart. They do panels and logos for Crown amps. http://www.dec-o-art.com/products.htm http://www.dec-o-art.com/products.htm __________________ Jan "Most people just say what they know, the wise ones know just what to say."


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20th July 2004, 01:34 AM	#2
Steve Eddy diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA	Does it have to be silkscreen? How 'bout laser? What is the material and finish of your panels? se

20th July 2004, 12:58 PM	#3
rabbitz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Newcastle	Could always use dry transfer like these from Parts Express. Cat No 340-171, 340-172, 340-179. Not tiny though as the letters are 3mm high. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=340-171

21st July 2004, 08:08 AM	#4
Doovieman diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Berkeley, California	I'd also be really interested to hear people's experiences with silkscreeners. I'm curious as to printing small (9 pt font) text on plastic and anodized aluminum. Any suggestions? Thanks, Doovieman

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