Panel building help

[hog_driver111th]

Ok, so, even though I have a bunch of panels from Pitbldr (Thanks Pit!), I thought I'd go a cheap route for the rest of the panels until later on. I've started with the Landing gear, AHCP, and ELEC panel. I'm using Black PVC Sheets, and thought about printing the text out onto transparent self-adhesive paper. The problem is, for obvious reasons, that I can't print white text... which of course sucks as my printer doesn't have white ink. Here's a picture of what I have so far. It's not the best quality, and the landing gear panel is still under construction, but any ideas how I can get the white text on there?

Edited July 7, 2012 by hog_driver111th

[fredd3039]

White text

 

There are some label makers that have white text as their output on transparent tape. Check online or at office max/depot. If that doesn't work you can buy stencil paper that is white and sticky on one side. You print the black portion on the un-sticky side and blammo you are good. Finally there are sticky letters. You can get them in various sizes and like rub on stencils they come in a pack and you peel the letter or number off and stick it on your panel.

Hope this works.

 

This one is $28 http://www.amazon.com/Brother-Personal-Labeler-Machine-White/dp/B002M7W9GW

[Mike Powell]

Back in the day (when computers were made of wooden transistors) we used press-on transfer lettering to label panels. This lettering was a standard item you could buy from any good graphic arts supplier. It's much less common now.

 

Here's a link to a Letraset product http://www.letraset.com/products/99-Helvetica-Med-Cond/ Scroll down for the white type.

 

We used to paint the panels black. Once dry, we'd laboriously add the transfer lettering then give the panel a few very thin coats of clear matt finish enamel to protect the lettering. Adding the clear coat had be to done carefully because too much at one time would make the lettering crinkle.

[fredd3039]

The Day

 

Mike you must be my age I am almost 40.

[hog_driver111th]

Fredd, even I remember press on letters but only cause I'm in my mid 30s. Hehe. I was hoping for a solution where I could still use the MS33558 font from the panels.

[cichlidfan]

I thought about those when I saw the OP but I actually did not think you could get them anymore. They were a PITA to work with but they got the job done. Good old memories there. :)

[metalnwood]

Another option is to use a professional printer to print your panels on self adhesive vinyl. The blacks will be black, a better quality black Than our printers will do.

 

I have done this for large areas where. I don't want to paint I put on artwork and get it professionally printed. I think you would be happy and the price where I live is good, you are in a larger economy so pricing may be even better.

[Deadman]

You can use a brother PT 2430 with white print on clear tape Brother P-Touch PT-2430PC Label Tape (OEM) 0.47" White Print on Clear

you can use the brother software or what ever your working with and still use the MS33558 font

[fredd3039]

PT2430

 

Deadman,

Is that just for numbers and letters or can you do lines and other characters you design as long as they fit the tape?

[fredd3039]

Backlighting

 

When I was young there were these "stencils" that came in different sizes 3mm, 5mm, 7mm etc. and they were some type of rubber with an adhesive back. They looked just like the transfer stencils above. What I was thinking is painting a piece of clear acrylic white then applying the letters then painting the panel black. Once dry remove the letters and then clear coat the whole thing. Does anyone know where to get the rubber letters or what they are called even?

[Gremlin77]

why dont you use white acryl and black printet foils. so you also can backlight the panels. hope its not a stupid idea...

[hog_driver111th]

Not a stupid idea at all, but the PVC is something I can cut with scissors and a knife... and it's pretty cheap to buy at OBI.

[BIGNEWY]

another alternative is foamex, its rigid but easy to cut and drill.

 

Used to use it when making sign's as a sign writer.

[Deadman]

It prints what ever you have numbers letters characters. Lines i have not tried I bought it to make filers for indicators it does not back light well the black is not dark enough.

Deadman,

Is that just for numbers and letters or can you do lines and other characters you design as long as they fit the tape?

[flyco]

I have had some success with printing panels onto photographic paper, using a good quality inkjet. I then stick the print onto black polystrene sheet (obtainable from model shops), using sparya on adhesive to get a good overall fixing. You do need to paint the exposed white edges of the paper (using black drawing ink) and then spray on several coats of clear satin (or gloss or matt) varnish.

 

The result looks very good, but does damage rather easily I'm afraid. I have attached a quick snap of two panels I have built using this procedure. You will see that you can also include such things as yellow and black caution signs.

 

The original artwork I do myself using TurboCAD.