Pedal (and more) graphics in 2024

[fryingpan]

Once upon a time, you spray painted the enclosure (maybe) and you either used stickers/decals (like you would on a guitar) or you hand-painted the graphics. I am assuming that these days higher quality finishes are accessible. What are my options (and the limitations, eg. colours)?

[amz-fx]

Once upon a time, you spray painted the enclosure (maybe) and you either used stickers/decals (like you would on a guitar) or you hand-painted the graphics. I am assuming that these days higher quality finishes are accessible. What are my options (and the limitations, eg. colours)?

I still use stickers and decals because I do not make pedals commercially, so I am not that fussy about fancy graphics. However, I AM interesting what other DIY builders have done with UV printing and other advanced finishes. Anyone using DTF transfers?

Btw, I have a site with lots of free graphics for pedals at https://www.instagram.com/amzfx2/  If you use any of them, post some pictures!

Best regards, Jack

[R.G.]

A little cross pollination.

On a CNC laser forum, a fellow asked for tips on coloring laser-cut objects of some complexity. This made me think of using the laser to cut multiple masking tape stencils from wide masking tape (which comes up to 12" wide) from the original cut files so that many-color masking for spray stencils could be done as a natural extension of the object cutting and engraving processes.

Just a thought. You may not have a CNC laser, but chances are you know someone who does.

[davent]

I hand cut frisket film to create stencils for pedal graphics. The film is meant to be used on paper so releases easily leaving no glue residue and at the same time keeps a clean edge with no bleeding under if you're doing it right.

I use it with artists acrylics paints, not sure how it might respond with typical spray can paints.

Available at art supply houses in sheets or rolls, not expensive.

[R.G.]

Good point Dave. I wonder if frisket film will laser cut.

Another thing I sometimes do is to just airbrush decoration on. I moved to an airbrush compressor with a pressure switch and reservoir for my laser air assist, and that got me off onto airbrushes, and... well, another road to h3ll.

[amptramp]

Is anyone using a Cricut for stancils?  They are sold at art supply houses:

https://cricut.com/en-us/cutting-machines

[ElectricDruid]

Frankly, I'd be happy enough if I could just get hold of white toner for my old monochrome laser printer. At least then my waterslide decals could be on dark colours too!!

If anyone knows of a UV printing service in the EU, I'd be very interested. Surely someone somewhere is doing that?

[davent]

Good point Dave. I wonder if frisket film will laser cut.

Another thing I sometimes do is to just airbrush decoration on. I moved to an airbrush compressor with a pressure switch and reservoir for my laser air assist, and that got me off onto airbrushes, and... well, another road to h3ll.

I used airbrushes in conjuction with the frisket. I would guess the better option for cutting stencils might be the Cricut that amptramp mentioned. No experience cutting frisket outside of xacto type knifes. Stuff's very thin with a translucent backing so easy to work with, lay it over your pattern, see through and cut it out.

Peel backing off & stick the stencil on the box. Mist the opening first with a clear medium or the under-colour paint if its just the solid color. That seals the stencil edges and  ensures no edge bleeding of the infill paint.

[PRR]

Cricut for stancils?

Stencils? No, but YouTube is full of mechanics cutting engine gaskets on Cricuts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hejUzvfGuY8

[bluebunny]

Frankly, I'd be happy enough if I could just get hold of white toner for my old monochrome laser printer. At least then my waterslide decals could be on dark colours too!!

I have some waterslide decals with an opaque white background, so I can print any colour on any colour of enclosure.  The only drawback is that when you cut it, you see the white backing at the cut edge.  (Fixed with a pen or pencil by hand.)

But yes, white toner would surely change the world. 

[CheapSuitG]

I just got a run from Ninja Transfer of their permastickers, they are working well so far. They are a raised print so they have some dimension, cut to shape and can print white. $20 for a sheet shipped and I fit ~15 pedals on there. Also printed a couple Tayda stickers because, why not?

The downfall is they are STICKY and if the graphic touches the enclosure, it is not moving.

[rockola]

If anyone knows of a UV printing service in the EU, I'd be very interested. Surely someone somewhere is doing that?

These guys: https://www.kainordesign.com/category/59/uv-printing-services

Haven't used their services though.

[amz-fx]

This is a sticker printed on my ancient Epson inkjet printer. The paper was a waterproof, permanent adhesive stock. Even so, when I first stuck it down, the label was crooked and I pulled it up and re-positioned it. No problems getting it to stick after I moved it.

I let the ink dry overnight and then sprayed it with a couple of coats of clear acrylic just to be sure that no moisture would make the print smear.



regards, Jack

[moosapotamus]

I still use stickers and decals because I do not make pedals commercially, so I am not that fussy about fancy graphics. However, I AM interesting what other DIY builders have done with UV printing and other advanced finishes. Anyone using DTF transfers?

I like that Egyptian motif. The sticker looks nice!

Years ago I started using the ink jet t-shirt transfer material that's made for printing and ironing graphics onto dark colored t-shirts. I guess you could call it DTF (Direct to Film). It's thin white plastic film. Print it, cut it, peel off the backing and iron it down. This was one of the first I did, over ten tears ago!



I've used that method for a long time. The ironing requires a little 'intuition' but the instructions for doing it on t-shirts actually turn out to work pretty well for stompboxes, too!

But nowadays, I much prefer UV printing. I love the design process. But, making enclosures... not so much. So, I'm happy to pay a little extra to have it done for me, and for it to look much better than I could ever do myself. I used Tayda for this one...

[BraadSher]

i put emg sticker on front of a crybaby wah as a joke from Kirk Hammet as everyone knows emg and wah pedal are in his DNA

[CheapSuitG]

Jack -

I reached out to Ninja Transfers about DTF and they suggested their perma stickers. They are good, a little 3D to them, a little halo around the art which kinda sucks, but was $20 shipped for a I think a 12" by 36" roll that I fit 12 pedals worth of stickers plus had a bunch of open space left. Also they can print white which is nice for dark enclosures.

The downfall, if they touch a surface they are not moving, there is no grace period while it cures.

Once upon a time, you spray painted the enclosure (maybe) and you either used stickers/decals (like you would on a guitar) or you hand-painted the graphics. I am assuming that these days higher quality finishes are accessible. What are my options (and the limitations, eg. colours)?

I still use stickers and decals because I do not make pedals commercially, so I am not that fussy about fancy graphics. However, I AM interesting what other DIY builders have done with UV printing and other advanced finishes. Anyone using DTF transfers?

Btw, I have a site with lots of free graphics for pedals at https://www.instagram.com/amzfx2/  If you use any of them, post some pictures!

Best regards, Jack