Re: Re:poor man's decal

On 01/04/2025 22:32, Martin Rid wrote:

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> Wrote in message:r

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 "revisedartwork").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 accessto the hidden fasteners is required thereby buggering thedecal.  (imagine doing same with a "real" decal and hopingto get such a large item off "intact" soas to leave a virginsurface for a replacement!)I only have hot laminating capability (but could access coldif there was an overwhelming reason to do so -- e.g., single-sidedlamination?).I can use a 7mil film to stand up to the mechanical abuses thatwill 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 futurethat it would be easy to dismiss them, now.Anything else to consider?

Hot laminated will stand up to a lot of abuse provided that you don't
punch any holes through it (might be an issue on a front panel). If you
glue only and the seal is good then totally weatherproof.

Staple it through the paper and water ingress will be a big problem. You
could punch the holes out oversize in the paper and then cut only
laminated plastic to plastic (or print onto laser printer plastic).

Avery OL-1000?
Cheers

+1

You can buy waterproof laserprinable clear and white self adhesive
plastic material from Avery or (other vendors). A4 is easily available.

You might have to piece it up from 2x A4 though as I expect A3 will be
extrortionate and an A3 colour laser printer even more so!

Some shop sign production folk might be able to do you a special deal if
you wanted enough to meet their minimum quantity requirements and
provided them with the self made artwork in exactly the right format.

That is how signs for one of my hobbies get done as foreigner jobs at a
sign manufacturers using what would otherwise be waste offcuts.

--
Martin Brown