T&L Publications

I'm working on a project where I want to make a real nice professional front-panel, for a prototype run of 100. I'm wondering what experience anyone might have using a laser-printer to print on clear plastic-film.

I have a small window for a 4 digit 7-seg display that I want covered by the same film as a clear window.

I have a single tact button, for which the actuator head just protrudes, and I want this covered by the plastic film. maybe a metal-dome for the tact-switch (if I can find a source)

A photo of the project, as it presently exists is at www.mountainelectric.ca

I would like to hear whatever help and experience might be out there.
M

I've tried Chartpak's D&DAF (Drafting and Design Applique Film) with "some" success. I used their DAF8-10. I think my surfaces weren't smooth enough, so got a few bubbles, and the edges lifted a little as well. Maybe user error though! You should at least check out their product line for some ideas! Best of luck, Dave

I have used Avery matte finish clear laser label stock from Office Depot. But I think that if I were making 100+ of something, I'd go to a small print shop and see how much they charge to print on polycarbonate (Lexan) film. Lexan will hold up much better and printer ink looks better than toner.

Alternate idea: is there an art school nearby? Print artists do this kind of stuff and students are always looking for a way to make a few extra bucks.

Make your graphics mirror image. That way you can have the graphics on the inside surface of the clear sheet where they won't rub off.

Good advice Bob, That is the way I did mine, but forgot to mention it! TNX

I love your signature Bob! I just bought my wife this shirt the other day.... she feels the same way about Pluto (she's a High School Science Teacher!)...
http://shirt.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=8730

Well, I spent a rainy day today trying various approaches to making an acceptable fron panel. I tried in vain to get my HP laser printer to mirror print (it doesn't). However, in the course of reading literature on how laser printers work, I discovered how to make the thing produce a very tough front-side finish, while printing on standard HP laser transparency film, by defining the paper type as "label". The result was far superior to the self-adhesive label transparency (Avery). Excellent colour rendition & very professional looking. An excellent crystal-clear window for the display.

I was also able to produce a very reasonable blister for the tact-switch, by simply using a ball-point pen circled around through the switch-side of the switch hole. Some gentle pressure, a few seconds of making a circular motion, and I have a nice usable switch blister.

My front panel is molded from Smooth-On Smooth-cast 300, and I was able to get excellent cohesion between the front panel & the label using brush-on super-glue. However I will try sending away for some spray-on adhesive.

mthornton wrote:Well, I spent a rainy day today trying various approaches to making an acceptable front panel. I tried in vain to get my HP laser printer to mirror print (it doesn't).

Oh-Oh. Take a screen shot of the label with <SHF>PrintScreen. Paste that into the paint program. Then you can flip it. I think you can flip text in WordArt too by dragging the left side over the right side.

My front panel is molded from Smooth-On Smooth-cast 300, and I was able to get excellent cohesion between the front panel & the label using brush-on super-glue. However I will try sending away for some spray-on adhesive.

I just used epoxy. You can squish it really thin so it's invisible.

Thanks for taking the time for a follow-up! Many times (myself included) we ask a question, get some help, get on a roll, and forget to let everyone else know what worked the best - which is obviously great for the forum. Glad you are up and running!