Re: poor man's decal

On Wed, 2 Apr 2025 12:49:14 +0100, John R Walliker
<jrwalliker@gmail.com> wrote:

On 02/04/2025 04:01, john larkin wrote:

On Tue, 1 Apr 2025 14:18:23 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:
 

I need a full-color, durable decal to label a front panel.
The panel is ~8x17".  I'm only looking for prototype quantities
(someone else can deal with production quantities and "revised
artwork").
>
I think I can just color print the image, 1:1, laminate it
and use a spray adhesive to affix it to the actual panel.
>
This would be a win as it would be easy to replace when access
to the hidden fasteners is required thereby buggering the
decal.  (imagine doing same with a "real" decal and hoping
to get such a large item off "intact" soas to leave a virgin
surface for a replacement!)
>
I only have hot laminating capability (but could access cold
if there was an overwhelming reason to do so -- e.g., single-sided
lamination?).
>
I can use a 7mil film to stand up to the mechanical abuses that
will be encountered.
>
No idea how the colors in the print would fare, over time.
Nor if the film would yellow or become brittle with age.
>
But, both seem like they are likely far enough in the future
that it would be easy to dismiss them, now.
>
Anything else to consider?

 
We have our boxes anodized and laser the artwork. That's so much
easier than making labels.
 
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/phhyn6p5lnwyza9of9qil/B953_Right.jpg?rlkey=xuu5qclmygkruncrat6li1u3j&raw=1
 
I'd expect one could inkjet art onto a box too.

>
There are now some very impressive UV-cured colour inkjet
printers intended for printing onto aluminium and plastic
panels and boxes.  I saw some spectacular examples at an
exhibition recently.  They were boxes supplied by Hammond.
The printing seemed very durable and the colours were very
striking.  Resolution looked much better than silk screened
panels.
John

It looks like the silk layer on PC boards is not silkscreened any
more, it's inkjet printed. 50 or even 40 mil ref designators are
legible.