Methods for painting/adding words?

[Tony]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could offer some good methods to paint and add wording to boxes?

I have tried ink jet printed decals, which can look ok. How can you get more professional look?

Thanks,
Tony

[bazzwazzle]

Check this out: http://www.diyguitarist.com/DIYStompboxes/StompboxTips.htm

this is how I'm going to try out. Looks really nice IMO.

[travissk]

Look up the dark t-shirt transfer method. You can make a multi-color layout in a paint program, print it out, iron it on, then clear-coat it.

I think I'm going to start using that method this year, although I'll need to get a color inkjet printer at college first.

Up until now I've used dorm laser printers and a method pretty much like the one on Paul's site there, and it does work out pretty well. I've also left about half of my boxes unfinished :lol:

Edit: for an arguably even more professional look you could try silkscreening. I don't have the room or tools to set up that sort of operation, but the results can look quite nice. Searching the forum for info on t-shirt transfers or silkscreening will give you a lot of information.

[Fret Wire]

Tony, one of the best examples of decals I've seen was from Bucksears. He used an injet, and Avery decal paper that's available from Staples.

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bsears121/album?.dir=/4056

http://diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=20338&highlight=

http://diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=20295

[jjs]

You could try spraying the box with primer, then optional some color paint, and then glue photo paper onto it, followed by clear coat of course. I think it turned out to be the best method for me, because it's easy to let the artwork go around corners of the box (something I had trouble to do using t-shirt transfer foil).
Feel free to see some result here:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=24518

[Tony]

Great ideas. I think I'll try the decal paper since I have had some experience using decals that way. I was using avery transparent mailing labels that worked well, but because you could see the outline of the label not so professional looking.

I didn't know they sold sheets of decal paper. Thanks.

What about the best drilling methods? I use metal drill bits but it's hard to keep the drill from wandering, sometimes getting misaligned holes...

[Fret Wire]

What about the best drilling methods? I use metal drill bits but it's hard to keep the drill from wandering, sometimes getting misaligned holes...

Use a center punch first to start the hole.

[David]

What about the best drilling methods? I use metal drill bits but it's hard to keep the drill from wandering, sometimes getting misaligned holes...

Your drilling problems can all be solved in one word:  Vari-Bit!

[Paul Marossy]

My method works OK, but the t-shirt transfer method can produce some fabulous results. Moosapotamus had a couple that he did that rawked!
Silkscreening can look very good, too.

[Dan N]

If you use the t-shirt transfer, it's best to have stuff going on in the background.

I just made a pedal for someone who wanted his own design. The plain background really showed up the kind of mottling that comes from the wax/silicon/whatever ironing  paper.

http://users.rio.com/senorris/junk/sq1s.jpg