I called every print / sign shop in my city, most of them don’t do anything vinyl related, the ones that do only do them in large scale with huge minimum printouts, 100+. Feels bad man. I think the graphic arts department at my old high school still does these things though so I’ll call them up.
Is there anyone here that offers printing of custom artwork and cutting for arcade sticks. I have contacted some printing shops locally no joy. Also contacted some members here you did offer this servicein the uk ut looks like they may jave stopped doing it. Thank you. Sorry if this question is in the wrong section in advance. Is there anyway a post can be deleted. I dont want to make the forum untidy.
In how many posts and threads are you going to ask the same question?
There is no way that there are zero print shops in the UK that can’t print an image for you on either card stock or adhesive backed vinyl—that you couldn’t at least mount and cut to your stick’s control panel.
When I lived in London a long time ago, I was within walking distance of a place that offered such services. I’m sure that’s not the only place in England—let alone the UK.
What stick do you have?
I have printed stick art on regular printer paper before and used that.
Even Lighter card stock can work in a $50 inkjet printer
Do you happen to know where I can buy self adhesive vinyl to print myself?
Art and Craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics should have them
Yep…Michaels has it too. I’ve used Cricut and Silhouette sheets with OK results. Note that most printable stuff available is only 8.5”x11” sheet packs and not larger sheets or rolls—to play nice with home inkjets printers. Even though most of that stuff is matte and doesn’t run (for longevity’s sake) you should consider running the finished product through a laminator before cutting and mounting.
god damn I regret making a 15" by 11" panel.
If your hands are steady, you could just try splitting your art print to two vertical sheets of US Letter sized vinyl, then aim them up during mounting and run a transparent matte vinyl sheet over the art. A sheet of US Letter paper is 8.5” by 11”
Your panel is 11” tall.
Your panel is 15” wide.
8.5 * 2 = 17
Left justify the image print across both sheets (print with no borders/margins) and trim 2” off the right edge of the second sheet.
Or…
Center the image across both prints (print with no borders/margins) and trim 1” off the outside edges of both sheets.
Make it work, dude.
Never thought about using a transparent sheet, interesting idea. I think a nearby high school has a full size printer with a big roll I could use so this all might be unnecessary but I might have to do this. I don’t even have artwork I just need a texture or solid color sheet to put on the top so it isn’t bare MDF.
There is Vinyl Wrap, its used on everything from computers to automobiles for customization.
The stuff comes in a while array of colors and patterns.
Can’t believe I didn’t hear about that yet, that’s basically what I’m looking for, I’m not into very custom art.
This is basically what I was going for. I’ll see if I can find some good relatively generic stuff.
Look for automotive quality if you want any durability, but you don’t need the automotive quantity.
Even sample pieces can get pretty huge. Its Basically a step up from generic contact paper.
I used the stuffto color match my Disc drive and retro fan controller to the rest of my Military green PC case and have tons of material leftover.
Like here a quick example I found on amazon in less than a second, its carbon fiber pattern vinyl wrap
1ft by 5 tf roll for $7.99 US.
The stuff comes in different patterns and designs (carbon fiber, wood grain, cammo, marble, ect) and even solid colors if that is your thing.
I just recommend using a sharp knife, like a utility knife or xacto knife, a ruler or straight edge and a heat gun or hair dryer to help spread the material even and tight.
Maybe a old credit card or similar tool for application.
How exactly does it work? Is it just very sticky film or a self adhesive deal?
Self adhesive, just cut to size, peel back the paper backing and apply
Hair dryer or heat gun at low setting can help make the vinyl go on with any tight crevices or turns.
I would not cut holes for buttons or joystick until after you apply the material
Two questions:
- I’m modding an old MadCatz TE SFIV verstion into a Stick-less arcade stick and need to replace the metal panel. I have a place to get it (link below) but I also need the top panal replaced because i don’t have a Plexiglas or bezel on it. 2) how does anyone know the dimensions of a TE so I can make a Plexiglas/art work for it? I emailed arts-hobbies to see if he could make a custom one but got no answer, prob busy.
Maybe try emailing Arcade Forge as they make/sell the panel. They should have the specs for you.
Otherwise you have to wait till you get the panel to measure it yourself.
I was just looking into stuff about printing artwork and plexiglass, ended up clicking a link to a shoryuken thread about exactly this specific topic from 6 years ago with some useful relevant information.
The catch?
All the relevant posts were by me 6 years ago ಠ_ಠ…
I’ve been on this project for waaaay too long.
You can select a clear plexiglass from the options and get one sent from them. But be cautious because I ordered a plexiglass replacement from them recently and the packaging was horrible and it arrived in pieces. Never received a replacement either.
disregard, figured it out.