Face Plate Printing and Silk Screening

TubeHead Johnny · 11th November 2006, 08:08 AM

Hello! I was wondering where you guys get professional looking face plates printed. I've got a few amps built on 17"X10"X3" and 17"X14"X3" enclosures, and decals and Dymo labelers just don't cut it anymore. Any ideas?

pinkmouse · 11th November 2006, 08:20 AM

Two of the many threads on the subject.

DIY amps front panel lettering
Labels?

bear · 11th November 2006, 12:37 PM

My opinion:

For your style of amp, I'd make a face plate that is held in place by the controls. The "markings" would go on the faceplate.

I currently prefer engraving for such labels - but I got an engraver. You may or may not be able to schmooze a person or company that has an engraver, or who does those clip-on name tags as a side-biz to do up ur panel.

You can also find the manual style (which is still good) engraving machines on eBay for not too much $$, assuming you will need this sort of thing in the future...

Otherwise silk-screening is king. That also requires some investment in set up and materials...

_-_-bear

Brian Beck · 11th November 2006, 03:55 PM

Or...
FrontPanelExpress

tubelab.com · 12th November 2006, 12:11 AM

Go to:

http://www.horizonsisg.com/products/home.asp

Check out the AlumaJet and IDmark products.

A friend built an analog music synthesizer (like an old Moog modular) using IDmark to cover his front panels. He used a CAD program to lay out the panels, print them on to transparencies, and expose the IDmark. They look very good. I got a package of the stuff, but have not tried it yet.

Trout · 14th November 2006, 02:32 AM

I use BNP laser as a source for faceplates. They make up some really nice plexi style faceplates for a lot of the guitar amp guys.

BNP laser

Jeanne<--- @ BNP laser really knows her stuff.
The material she uses is a plexiglass type material that is backfilled in many popular colors. She uses a laser to remove the colored backfill, Then re-coats the lettering area. These have a really nice 3D look when complete, Especially the gloss material.

The lettering can never rub off because its on the inside next to the chassis and the outter surface is very clean and durable.

I generally order the satin because on guitar amps they always seem to show lots of finger prints.

She charges by the sq inch, No extra charge for holes, and can even do fancy line art logo's on the panel.

I opted for the less is more look black satin W/white letters. This is also a 17 X 10 X 3 Chassis
One of my Faceplates From BNP Laser

Edit, here is a picture of the art capabilities they have @ BNP on a guitar faceplate.

Backlite logo

Trout

TubeHead Johnny · 14th November 2006, 11:33 AM

Man! She does GREAT work! Thanks Trout, I think I'll consult her for an estimate. ~~~Johnny.

11th November 2006, 08:20 AM	#2
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Two of the many threads on the subject. DIY amps front panel lettering Labels? __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

11th November 2006, 12:37 PM	#3
bear diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York State USA	My opinion: For your style of amp, I'd make a face plate that is held in place by the controls. The "markings" would go on the faceplate. I currently prefer engraving for such labels - but I got an engraver. You may or may not be able to schmooze a person or company that has an engraver, or who does those clip-on name tags as a side-biz to do up ur panel. You can also find the manual style (which is still good) engraving machines on eBay for not too much $$, assuming you will need this sort of thing in the future... Otherwise silk-screening is king. That also requires some investment in set up and materials... _-_-bear __________________ _-_-bear http://www.bearlabs.com ...ur feeback please - like/dislike my what I have written? PM/email tnx. --

11th November 2006, 03:55 PM	#4
Brian Beck diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida, USA	Or... FrontPanelExpress __________________ Brian

12th November 2006, 12:11 AM	#5
tubelab.com diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida	Go to: http://www.horizonsisg.com/products/home.asp Check out the AlumaJet and IDmark products. A friend built an analog music synthesizer (like an old Moog modular) using IDmark to cover his front panels. He used a CAD program to lay out the panels, print them on to transparencies, and expose the IDmark. They look very good. I got a package of the stuff, but have not tried it yet. __________________ Too much power is almost enough! Turn it up till it explodes - then back up just a little.

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14th November 2006, 02:32 AM	#6
Trout diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Midwest Madman	I use BNP laser as a source for faceplates. They make up some really nice plexi style faceplates for a lot of the guitar amp guys. BNP laser Jeanne<--- @ BNP laser really knows her stuff. The material she uses is a plexiglass type material that is backfilled in many popular colors. She uses a laser to remove the colored backfill, Then re-coats the lettering area. These have a really nice 3D look when complete, Especially the gloss material. The lettering can never rub off because its on the inside next to the chassis and the outter surface is very clean and durable. I generally order the satin because on guitar amps they always seem to show lots of finger prints. She charges by the sq inch, No extra charge for holes, and can even do fancy line art logo's on the panel. I opted for the less is more look black satin W/white letters. This is also a 17 X 10 X 3 Chassis One of my Faceplates From BNP Laser Edit, here is a picture of the art capabilities they have @ BNP on a guitar faceplate. Backlite logo Trout

14th November 2006, 11:33 AM	#7
TubeHead Johnny diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Electric City, Schenectady, NY.	Man! She does GREAT work! Thanks Trout, I think I'll consult her for an estimate. ~~~Johnny.

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