One of the problems that I face in developing prototypes of new products on a shoestring budget is how to add graphics to the enclosure to make an impressive sample product. I'd like to kick around some of the methods and find out how successful these have been for you over the years. I've tried a few basic things with varying success:

1) print a label using my inkjet printer onto glossy adhesive paper. This gives excellent results but is only suitable for flat surfaces with protected edges

2) individually pressed-on adhesive lettering (eg. Letraset). Very tedious but quite flexible on location and surface curvature. Letters only, no graphics.

3) silkscreen. OK for flat surfaces, but very expensive or complex to set up for just a few boxes

4) hand colored with pens or brushes. You can imagine how amateur this looks.

I'm really interested to know if others have methods that produce professional looking logos and printing on curved surfaces (like a typical ABS plastic enclosure from Bud, OKW, Pactec, Hammond, Serpac and others).

I wasn't familiar with vinyl cutters. Quite interesting, especially the idea of making a paint stencil.

It's a bit expensive, but look into
Cricut® Store
It's markted to scrap bookers and hobbyists, but I've been seriously thinking about buying one because it can even cut through thin sheet metal and plastic card.

Check out some of your local "quick sign" shops, most of which use the vinyl cutting machines. Great for lettering and graphics. Many colors and fonts. If you make a full scale print out from a word processor program or a graphics layout program, shop can probably duplicate it for you. Spend a little time with them and get to know them and it might not be as expensive. Just get the cut vinyl "weeded" and taped up. They will show you how to apply it. Not to difficult and will look great. I did that for a living for a while and made a few nice looking panels.

I was worried about applying vinyl letters and such over a 3D curved surface, but as was mentioned above, when we built model car kits in our youth, we used decals that conformed easily to curved surfaces as long as they only curved in one direction. Same would apply to vinyl sheet goods. So a simple curve should be no problem, but a compound curve would be, unless of course the vinyl items are extremely small.

I watched some youtube videos showing vinyl cutting and application. Looks pretty good, but how well would it work with very small letters and logos?

PulsarProFx has a system know as decalProFx that allows you to print graphics using a color laser printer and apply the toner directly to a surface.


Custom DRY TRANSFERS and no-carrier DECALS in 5 minutes with "DecalPRO"

Originally Posted by 3v0

PulsarProFx has a system know as decalProFx that allows you to print graphics using a color laser printer and apply the toner directly to a surface.


Custom DRY TRANSFERS and no-carrier DECALS in 5 minutes with "DecalPRO"

Hey, that looks pretty good. Need a laser printer, which I don't have at home, but we always know someone who does I guess. Nice results. The result is much thinner than vinyl which I like.

Originally Posted by 3v0

PulsarProFx has a system know as decalProFx that allows you to print graphics using a color laser printer and apply the toner directly to a surface.


Custom DRY TRANSFERS and no-carrier DECALS in 5 minutes with "DecalPRO"

This is neat stuff.

kv