How to make good looking front panels ?

[Synthfool at aol.com]

(now my turn ;-)

There is a wealth of information on panels in the DIY archive from many
months back, including some very interesting laser printer techniques. 

As most of the stuff I do is for professionals and not hobbyists, this may
sound both pompous and expensive, but I use engravers for most of my stuff.
(Silkscreening sometimes too).

It isn't always as expensive as what some people might think though.
(at least with the company I use for engraving).

For *my* purposes, anodizing can be the pricey thing, as the anodizers have a
minimum price for an order. If I can wait, the engravers will send in my
panel along with others and get a substantial discount. However, I can have
almost any color aluminum I want, even purple if I so desire anodizing, not
just black.

Here are also some advantages I've noticed to having engraved panels:

1. The markings will not rub off. 
2. You can vary type spacing and sizes easier. You can have underlines and
pointer marks.
3. You can have very perfect, burr free holes made, even D-sub shapes, etc.
4. Alignments done by a professional engraver are *very* good.
 --Things-line-up-- :)
5. The panels can be completely cleaned, stripped, washed with solvent,
painted many different ways, etc- the markings themselves are staying.
6. Any thickness panel I desire.

This panel is an example of engraving:

http://www.synthfool.com/diy/midi42600.jpg

The above panel (replaces a speaker in an Arp2600) cost about $55.00, which
myself and my client found completely reasonable. It is thicker and stronger
than the 2600 panel it is going on and will not flex whatsoever as a midi
jack is plugged into it.

Another aspect of having stuff like this done is that it is so gorgeous and
is much better than I could possibly do with any other method I have. It begs
for you to do good, careful, thought out work and raises your pride and
interest in the project and the gear.
  I honestly believe that when you have a fine piece of gear, whether it is a
synth, a guitar, a car or whatever, having pride in it makes you approach it
differently. You treat it with respect and don't abuse it. It lasts longer.
Even if a synth had a wonderful circuit design, but had crooked, drawn on
letters and misdrilled holes, an artist may not *want* to explore it. He
might even be embarrassed to use it. Silly I know for musical reasons, but
it's hard to argue with how some creative minds work.
Equally as wrong, this attitude is often applied to PEOPLE as well, but it
happens everyday.
Beautiful women are given more interest too, aren't they? ;-)

K