question about Press-n-Peel Blue on stainless steel

[Dimitree]

I want to make a front panel made of 1mm stainless steel, and I want to make the labels using Press-n-Peel blue since I need the labels to be blue, and since the panel have many holes and many labels, Press-n-Peel Blue would be more easier to apply than waterslide decal papers. I won't need to etch the panel, Press-n-Peel Blue would stay as is.
Of course I will put a clear coat over it.

I'm wondering if Press-n-Peel Blue can stick well to stainless steel, or it would be better to make an aluminium panel.
In both cases, they will be well polished and flat.

[Mark Hammer]

The challenge is the extent to which the steel panel sinks the heat applied.  Remember that the principle behind PnP or any toner-transfer technique is that the heat makes the toner "want" to bond with the surface applied to MORE than the medium it is being transferred with "wants: to remain on its original backing.  You are correct in assuming that the cleanliness and smoothness of the intended surface is a major factor in how fully the toner-transfer takes place.  If there is poor "grip" for the toner, the backing (either the blue stuff or whatever shiny emulsion is on a paper backing) says "Nah, I'm okay.  I think I'll just stay where I am." and you'll get incomplete/poor transfer.

BUT, it's not just good grip.  It's also the extent to which heat is sufficiently applied to "make" the toner stick.  Think of it like hot melt glue  If the surface you're trying to glue to is cool to the touch, the glue may well be nice and runny from heating, but it will not likely stick to the cool surface.  This is part of the problem folks who attempt to etch enclosures run into.

Then there's the matter of wanting to transfer not only the toner but the blue backing as well, in order to have blue labelling at the end of the procedure.  There is a good chance that you WILL be able to accomplish that, but I'd start pondering right now what you'll do if it does not transfer completely.  PnP blue is great stuff, but it's also pricey, and the prospect of getting an incomplete transfer, having to scrub the panel clean, and try again, is not an inviting one.

Perhaps those who have been doing enclosure etching successfully for a while will have some good advice.