Labelling Prototypes
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From: StickThatInYourPipeAndSmokeIt on 5 Jul 2010 17:17 On Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:57:54 +0100, Ian Bell <ruffrecords(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >On 05/07/10 16:51, Ian Bell wrote: >> What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? I am thinking >> particularly of control panels (19 in rack mounting for example) >> containing pots, toggle and rotary switched all of which need labelling. >> So far I have looked at iron on T shirt printer paper, special >> transparent overhead projector type film with built in adhesive and >> contacted a company that does custom stick-on vinyl decals. I need >> something I can design easily myself on a PC and either produce myself >> or have produced at reasonable cost. Any one of more of the above might >> work but before I take the plunge I thought I would ask what others use??? >> >> Cheers >> >> Ian > > >Thanks for all the ideas. To answer some of the questions and add some info: > >Yes, it is a one off > >Yes it needs to look professional. For quantities I would normally get >it silk screen printed. That panel express link sounds like it then. If you want pro appearance, it should be worth the less than $200. I cannot imagine it being higher than that. > >I am in the UK The folks that asked that question are not observant enough to place a lot of credence in their answers. > >I think the Avery and Brady clear label ideas are the same as the >transparent film I already have. Not really. The Brady labels are WHITE, and you print on that, apply it, THEN you place the cover label over that to protect it. > Only problem with that is I find the >ink jet printing is not very dense so the label is hard to see against >the (nearly black) panel paint (and yes I am using bright colours). Anyone that suggested printing on clear stock isn't very bright. >I had not thought of silk screen printing at home. I had not realised >this was possible. Is there anyone in the UK doing this regularly that >can give me some pointers of what to get and where + how easy/hard it is >to do yourself? The "yudu screen printing machine" I posted a link to on Amazon looked pretty nice. You would have to find a source for it over there though, since they will not ship one out of the US. http://www.amazon.com/Provo-Craft-Novelty-yudu-62-5000/dp/B0025T6V5C You might find a local decorative engraver that will engrave it for you, and you can do the colored enamel backfills ala Cloisonn�. All after you have the punch outs done, of course.
From: mpm on 5 Jul 2010 17:18 On Jul 5, 1:11 pm, John Larkin <jjlar...(a)highNOTlandTHIStechnologyPART.com> wrote: > On Mon, 5 Jul 2010 10:15:22 -0700 (PDT), mpm <mpmill...(a)aol.com> > wrote: > > > > > > >On Jul 5, 10:51 am, Ian Bell <ruffreco...(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? I am thinking > >> particularly of control panels (19 in rack mounting for example) > >> containing pots, toggle and rotary switched all of which need labelling. > >> So far I have looked at iron on T shirt printer paper, special > >> transparent overhead projector type film with built in adhesive and > >> contacted a company that does custom stick-on vinyl decals. I need > >> something I can design easily myself on a PC and either produce myself > >> or have produced at reasonable cost. Any one of more of the above might > >> work but before I take the plunge I thought I would ask what others use??? > > >> Cheers > > >> Ian > > >Silkscreening. Even if a one-off. > >Cheap, easy, professional-looking results. > > >The setup I use (Speedball, I think), has reusable screens, so once > >you get going, you can change as often as your mind does. > >The only major investment for me was the light stand, though you could > >probably DIY roll your own. > >The lightbulb is about $10, and at least here, available locally. > >5000K, I think. A Photo-Flood #12, IIRC. > > >Good luck. > >- mpm > > We make nice looking labels with an inkjet color printer and some sort > of adhesive paper stuff. They're good enough to use for product > photos, or to put on eval loaners for customers to play with. For > production, we just send the same file to a label company. > > These photos used fake labels: > > http://www.highlandtechnology.com/DSS/T750DS.html > > http://www.highlandtechnology.com/DSS/P730DS.html > > You can even include little translucent windows for LED indications. > They are a little denser on the paper protos than the real polycarb > labels. > > John- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - I probably shouldn't mention this,..... but for "product photos", PhotoShop works pretty damn good too!! But the approach doesn't do much for trade shows and in-person demos. :)
From: StickThatInYourPipeAndSmokeIt on 5 Jul 2010 17:19 On Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:11:23 +0100, Ian Bell <ruffrecords(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >I should alos have said I am aware of Front Panel Designer - the only >thing that puts me off is I think the resolution of their engraving will >not be fine enough for what I require. > >I am also aware of protocase and may well use them in the future. > >Thanks again for all the ideas. > >Cheers > >Ian Then, a local decorative engraver would be the choice for that. I think that FPE does engraving at a higher degree of precision than you apparently think they can.
From: John Larkin on 5 Jul 2010 17:20 On Mon, 5 Jul 2010 14:18:04 -0700 (PDT), mpm <mpmillard(a)aol.com> wrote: >On Jul 5, 1:11�pm, John Larkin ><jjlar...(a)highNOTlandTHIStechnologyPART.com> wrote: >> On Mon, 5 Jul 2010 10:15:22 -0700 (PDT), mpm <mpmill...(a)aol.com> >> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> >On Jul 5, 10:51�am, Ian Bell <ruffreco...(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >> What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? I am thinking >> >> particularly of control panels (19 in rack mounting for example) >> >> containing pots, toggle and rotary switched all of which need labelling. >> >> So far I have looked at iron on T shirt printer paper, special >> >> transparent overhead projector type film with built in adhesive and >> >> contacted a company that does custom stick-on vinyl decals. I need >> >> something I can design easily myself on a PC and either produce myself >> >> or have produced at reasonable cost. Any one of more of the above might >> >> work but before I take the plunge I thought I would ask what others use??? >> >> >> Cheers >> >> >> Ian >> >> >Silkscreening. �Even if a one-off. >> >Cheap, easy, professional-looking results. >> >> >The setup I use (Speedball, I think), has reusable screens, so once >> >you get going, you can change as often as your mind does. >> >The only major investment for me was the light stand, though you could >> >probably DIY roll your own. >> >The lightbulb is about $10, and at least here, available locally. >> >5000K, I think. �A Photo-Flood #12, IIRC. >> >> >Good luck. >> >- mpm >> >> We make nice looking labels with an inkjet color printer and some sort >> of adhesive paper stuff. They're good enough to use for product >> photos, or to put on eval loaners for customers to play with. For >> production, we just send the same file to a label company. >> >> These photos used fake labels: >> >> http://www.highlandtechnology.com/DSS/T750DS.html >> >> http://www.highlandtechnology.com/DSS/P730DS.html >> >> You can even include little translucent windows for LED indications. >> They are a little denser on the paper protos than the real polycarb >> labels. >> >> John- Hide quoted text - >> >> - Show quoted text - > >I probably shouldn't mention this,..... but for "product photos", >PhotoShop works pretty damn good too!! >But the approach doesn't do much for trade shows and in-person >demos. :) We'll sometimes Photoshop one product into another, for manual or web page pictures. John
From: mpm on 5 Jul 2010 17:22
On Jul 5, 2:47 pm, Jamie <jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...(a)charter.net> wrote: > Ian Bell wrote: > > What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? I am thinking > > particularly of control panels (19 in rack mounting for example) > > containing pots, toggle and rotary switched all of which need labelling.. > > So far I have looked at iron on T shirt printer paper, special > > transparent overhead projector type film with built in adhesive and > > contacted a company that does custom stick-on vinyl decals. I need > > something I can design easily myself on a PC and either produce myself > > or have produced at reasonable cost. Any one of more of the above might > > work but before I take the plunge I thought I would ask what others use??? > > > Cheers > > > Ian > > For small cabinets I print out via laser in mirror form, the drill > locations, knock out locations, control labeling, logo's etc. all on a > single sheet of either ink jet photo paper or clay paper and iron it > on the surface.. when removed via wetting it, 99% of it comes out and > I touch up what I don't like.. then I spray it with a clear coat to > protect it.. > > P.S. > The cabinets I used either have a base color already on it that the > toner sticks to nicely or we spray it with a thin clear coat first.. > > It does give a shinny look if that isn't abjectable. > > Jamie.. BTW, if anyone in the US would like a really great deal on some small metal NEMA-4 enclosures (Hammond EJ-863's and nearby sizes), I can be talked into giving a VERY good deal. Brand spanking new. Never opened. |