Arcade Print Shop
Newbie
- Credits
- 7CR
We recently put an overlay on our control panel and thought
we would document it and give a tutorial on our method.
The overlay is one we have printed ourselves on a Mimaki
JV33 digital printer with solvent ink.
It has been laminated with bomb film to make it more robust and add to
the durability.
For more information on our print service you can check the
link below or visit our Facebook.
http://www.ukvac.com/forum/arcade-print-shop-uk-based_topic335571.html
http://www.facebook.com/arcadeprintshop
Tools needed
Masking tape
Scalpel (use a fresh one to make sure you get the best
results)
Thumb
Before you start make sure you have cleaned the surface of
the control panel as any dirt or grim may effect the application of the
overlay. If you use water make sure it
is dry before applying the overlay. We
used lighter fluid as it evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave a residue
The control panel before we started
Preparation
Step 1
Get a piece of masking tape and wrap it around the underside
of the control panel in the middle and leave the excess. Lay your overlay on top of the control panel
and line it up with the edges. Once you
are happy with the positioning of the overlay use the excess masking tape to
tape the overlay to the control panel.
Step 2
Take the right hand side of the overlay and peel off the
backing to a quarter or half an inch away from the masking tape. Use the
scalpel to cut the excess backing off the over lay. Start to lay the over lay down on the control
panel starting from the middle to the right.
Use your thumb to apply pressure swiping from the top to the bottom and
back while working towards the end of the control panel. We suggest you use your thumb as you don’t
have to hold another instrument and you have less risk of scratching or marking
the overlay. The right hand side of the
overlay should now be stuck to the control panel.
Step 3
Take off the masking tape in the middle of the control panel
and peel the backing off the rest of the over lay. Like in step 2 use your
thumb to press down the overlay swiping from top to bottom working towards the
left hand side. You should finish with
the overlay stuck to your control panel.
Step 4
Next you need to cut the holes for the buttons to go
through. With your finger feel where the
hole is, pierce the overlay inside the hole and run the scalpel around the
edge. You are better off working nearer
the middle of the hole rather than the edge if you are not completely sure
where the edge of the hole is. If you
haven’t removed all the excess overlay then run the scalpel around again until
it is. Don’t try and do this too quickly
and take your time. You should repeat this method on all the holes in the
control panel. You should only cut the
holes with the graphics facing up if you have the control panel facedown you
run the risk of taking the overlay off the control panel and then the
possibility of the scalpel running through the overlay and damaging it.
Step 5
Finally if there is any excess overlay around the edges then
you will need to remove it. Turn the
control panel over and see where the excess is if there is any. Then turn the
control panel back over and cut into the overlay where the excess begins. Then run the scalpel around the edge away
from yourself so you don’t accidentally stab yourself if you slip. In our case we only had a slight excess
around the corners. Take your time with
this if you want the best results.
Finished
You should now have the overlay on the control panel with
all the holes cut out and all excess removed from the edges.
Back on the cab and now time to play some games.
we would document it and give a tutorial on our method.
The overlay is one we have printed ourselves on a Mimaki
JV33 digital printer with solvent ink.
It has been laminated with bomb film to make it more robust and add to
the durability.
For more information on our print service you can check the
link below or visit our Facebook.
http://www.ukvac.com/forum/arcade-print-shop-uk-based_topic335571.html
http://www.facebook.com/arcadeprintshop
Tools needed
Masking tape
Scalpel (use a fresh one to make sure you get the best
results)
Thumb
Before you start make sure you have cleaned the surface of
the control panel as any dirt or grim may effect the application of the
overlay. If you use water make sure it
is dry before applying the overlay. We
used lighter fluid as it evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave a residue
The control panel before we started
Preparation
Step 1
Get a piece of masking tape and wrap it around the underside
of the control panel in the middle and leave the excess. Lay your overlay on top of the control panel
and line it up with the edges. Once you
are happy with the positioning of the overlay use the excess masking tape to
tape the overlay to the control panel.
Step 2
Take the right hand side of the overlay and peel off the
backing to a quarter or half an inch away from the masking tape. Use the
scalpel to cut the excess backing off the over lay. Start to lay the over lay down on the control
panel starting from the middle to the right.
Use your thumb to apply pressure swiping from the top to the bottom and
back while working towards the end of the control panel. We suggest you use your thumb as you don’t
have to hold another instrument and you have less risk of scratching or marking
the overlay. The right hand side of the
overlay should now be stuck to the control panel.
Step 3
Take off the masking tape in the middle of the control panel
and peel the backing off the rest of the over lay. Like in step 2 use your
thumb to press down the overlay swiping from top to bottom working towards the
left hand side. You should finish with
the overlay stuck to your control panel.
Step 4
Next you need to cut the holes for the buttons to go
through. With your finger feel where the
hole is, pierce the overlay inside the hole and run the scalpel around the
edge. You are better off working nearer
the middle of the hole rather than the edge if you are not completely sure
where the edge of the hole is. If you
haven’t removed all the excess overlay then run the scalpel around again until
it is. Don’t try and do this too quickly
and take your time. You should repeat this method on all the holes in the
control panel. You should only cut the
holes with the graphics facing up if you have the control panel facedown you
run the risk of taking the overlay off the control panel and then the
possibility of the scalpel running through the overlay and damaging it.
Step 5
Finally if there is any excess overlay around the edges then
you will need to remove it. Turn the
control panel over and see where the excess is if there is any. Then turn the
control panel back over and cut into the overlay where the excess begins. Then run the scalpel around the edge away
from yourself so you don’t accidentally stab yourself if you slip. In our case we only had a slight excess
around the corners. Take your time with
this if you want the best results.
Finished
You should now have the overlay on the control panel with
all the holes cut out and all excess removed from the edges.
Back on the cab and now time to play some games.
