Amp face stenciling

[deiseldave]

Could someone help me with some ideas on how to get a decent looking labeling/stenciling of all the inputs, tone stack, etc.
I was thinking about just using a fine Sharpie marker, and an engineers plastic stencil. But, that seems like it would bring down the look of the amp, a bit. I care more about how the amp sounds, than looks. However, I want to try and do the most professional work I can. Thanks.

[rp]

Directly on the chassis? Can't help you. Otherwise, my dirty and simple hack is to just wing it with MSWord, print out a few (hundred ) scraps, till you get the location and scale right, half-shift around, then print it out on gold/silver/artsy nice heavy-ish paper from an art store. I print final on 8.5x11 or 11.5x14 printer paper with a line border then lightly tape my nice paper faceplate lined up over it and run it through the printer again with no border.

Then have a plastic place cut you up a clear plexi/acrylic panel, which you'll have to mark up and drill yourself. You need special plexi bits that plastic places sell. Luckily, I had art suppliers and a plastic place within walking of home in NYC. It will keep you busy at first but can look pretty righteous - even up close.

There are a couple of places that will make you custom, very pro, one-off face plates for not silly money, I'll let others link them.

[deiseldave]

Wow. Nice work. Thanks for the tips. The amp that I amp doing is reusing one of the "Judy Box" units that were put up for sale several years ago on one of the amp web sites. It is basically just a 1X12 combo and chassis with transformers that I am cooking into a "Plexi6v6". Anyway, it has an aluminum front plate that has different stenciling from what I have changed it to. So, I would like to reuse that if possible. However, I may go your route, instead. Thanks again.

[lord preset]

Another route is to have Kinkos print the faceplate design on a vinyl sticker. I did this when I was using an old chassis with an existing faceplate. I painted the faceplate a light color to keep the original silkscreen from showing through. I created a PDF and uploaded it to Kinkos website then the local office called to confirm the order. I did multiple copies of the design to account for mess-ups in applying the sticker, which as good because I did indeed mess it up. The vinyl will stretch if you aren't careful. The result is not as durable as the plexiglas option but once the chassis is in the amp the faceplate isn't subjected to much abuse.

[xtian]

I like the laser engraved plastic plates I get from http://www.labelengraving.com/Gravoply_ ... utdoor.htm

Cost is about $30, including shipping, for a front panel alone. Their process is very accurate, AND they laser cut the holes for you!

[lord preset]

I like the laser engraved plastic plates I get from http://www.labelengraving.com/Gravoply_ ... utdoor.htm

Cost is about $30, including shipping, for a front panel alone. Their process is very accurate, AND they laser cut the holes for you!

Well if I had known that...

Looks good. I may try that next time. What file format do they need?

[bal704]

I layout the faceplate in autocad, and export it to a PDF. I have Staples print and laminate it. I use a hole punch to make the holes. They seem to hold up well.

[xtian]

What file format do they need?

EPS, PDF, others. They seem very savvy and willing to do a lot of the work converting your art to the format their machines require.

[deiseldave]

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone.

[dcribbs1412]

Addition to rp suggestions
I use water slide decals with clear plexiglass then paint
takes a little time ... its cheap and works decent
going to make some for a current build soon
here's a few from past builds... I am still using the same can of paint
http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af3 ... yle005.jpg

https://tubeamparchive.com/download/file.php?id=19194

https://tubeamparchive.com/download/file.php?id=26206

Darin

[rp]

I use water slide decals with clear plexiglass then paint
takes a little time ... its cheap and works decent

Darin, I never tried it as I was afraid you'd see the slight edge of the decal even after the paint went on. So in fact it's invisible? I assume you print reverse? I guess there is a button, among the hundreds, in Word that does this? Getting them on straight must be bear too, you got some trick?

[labb]

I use the free down load "Front Panel Designer" to layout the panel. Convert that to a pdf file, take it to a printer and have it printed on card stock. Put the card stock under plexi glass. It works a lot better if you do the panel face plate layout first and then drill your chassis using a copy of the layout as a template

[M Fowler]

I use the free down load "Front Panel Designer" to layout the panel. Convert that to a pdf file, take it to a printer and have it printed on card stock. Put the card stock under plexi glass. It works a lot better if you do the panel face plate layout first and then drill your chassis using a copy of the layout as a template

Are you able to import dial numbers when your using Front Panel Designer I haven't been able to.

[labb]

I can get the number in but the location is tricky. Don't remember just exactly how. I do find that program pretty easy to work with. My preference would be to send a drawing to BNP Lasers and let them do it but I don't have the Corel Draw program for the format they want.

[davent]

Addition to rp suggestions
I use water slide decals with clear plexiglass then paint
takes a little time ... its cheap and works decent
...
Darin

Has worked well for me too. Reverse printed decals applied to the back of 1/16" polycarbonate then painted and sealed.

Waterslide decals applied directly to the chassis, sealed and leveled with lacquer.

For large lettering have cut stencils and painted the back of the clear polycarbonate, could be combined with decals for the control lettering.

[IMG:800:600]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc30 ... G_2248.jpg[/img]
[IMG:800:600]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc30 ... 0452-1.jpg[/img]
[IMG:800:600]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc30 ... G_0590.jpg[/img]
[IMG:800:600]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc30 ... G_0596.jpg[/img]