decal know how

[axis]

Hello everyone,
   I was wondering where do you guys get your decals and graphics from , and maybe some tips on applying them?Thanks.

[brett]

Decals are great.  I'm gunna post a photo of some of my decal work in the next few hours.  

I tried the thin decals from Small Bear a while back.  You need to spray them with some clear topcoat before you use them, to get some "body" into them.

I use a colour laser printer at work to make my artwork, then go to the local copy/print shop to get the decals made.  About OZ$8 for 4 box tops.  That's US$5.  Cheap as chips.

One trick I've learned is not to soak them too long - the adhesive gets too soft.  Just wet them long enough for them to slip off the backing sheet.

I use three (thin) coats of clear auto topcoat over the top of them.

Other than that, just get some and have a play!!

good luck

[Bucksears]

So far I've only done labels on the Hammond 1590BB.
Here's what I use and I'm not going back:

1) I spray on a coat of metal primer
2) I spray on a few coats of flat white
3) I design and print out a labels onto a clear full-sheet label (8.5"x11") (Avery #8665); BE SURE TO LET THE PEDAL AND THE LABEL DRY THOROUGHLY BEFORE HANDLING.
4) I (carefully) cut out and apply straight to the pedal
5) Carefully spray several coats of acrylic clear-coat

So far it's worked fine. I spray all the pedals white, that way whatever I print out is sure to show up; whatever is white on the design simply shows up clear on the label (doesn't turn out well on colors other than white). I don't have a website yet, but I can e-mail pics if anyone's interested.
- Buck

[Sic]

I'd be interested in seeing Buck. I'm trying to find a relatively inexpensive method of painting, thats simple, but still professional looking...

Hows the durability? does it last to gigging?


Odiopopulis at Hotmail . com

Thanks,
Sic

[danelectro]

i havent tried it, but i see Testor's has a custom decal kit out w/ a few cans of solvents and such. im not exactly sure how it works but its only $5 and might be worth a shot.

i think ill try it on my next pedal.

[brett]

Powder coating works great with decals.  Very very tough.  Don't know why Boss and others don't use it.

[thumposaurus]

Powder coating works great with decals.  Very very tough.  Don't know why Boss and others don't use it.

yes it does, I've been experimenting with putting clear powder over top of the color coats, and decal, and it turns out it works just fine.
This one is  topcoated with krylon clear:

This one is with the clear powder:

My printer will print with white, silver, and gold "inks" and I've been useing water slide decal sheets I got off of an online place (can't remember the name right now)
this is the gold over black powder:

I'm working on a box for the bassballs clone I just finished, I am leaning towards blue base coat with silver lables, I'll post back when I'm done with it.