faceplate white on black

[Jeroen Proveniers]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: modlar at gmx.net [mailto:modlar at gmx.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 8:44 AM
> To: synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
> Subject: faceplate white on black
> 
> 
> Hi all !
> 
> Has anyone experiences in producing faceplates (without
> wasting too much money) with white text on black background ?
> I think, merely printing a coreldraw design with a laser
> printer on an adherent (white) plastic film would be enough, but :
> does it look good ?
> Or do you suggest etching ? I have never seen faceplates
> with BLACK background (photosensitive, of course). Until now
> I used laserprinted paper (black on white), but in my opinion
> it looks a bit ugly (perhaps not with a spray varnish ?!)
> 

I don't know if you like the plastic foil look like those membrane foil
keypads.

I print out a design on a transparency with the text (or symbols)
transparent. The transparent areas can be painted (on the back) with any
color. I protect the foil with a adhesive glossy polyester foil. This foil
must be applied carefully to prevent airbubbles. Then you have a
professionally looking foil.
I used this stuff to make foils with illuminated symbols and backlit legends
like you find in the instrumentpanel of a car (I actually used this in my
car). To make symbols invisible when not lit I used some 'smoke' paint.
The only problem with this foil is that under certain angles of light you
see nothing because of the reflection.

JJ