[sdiy] Front Panel Graphics at Home? `~~`

[Paul Higgins]

Well, maybe this isn't so fast and easy, but it *is* pretty cheap...

I've had luck with printing on good-quality artists' paper using an Epson 
large-format inkjet (though probably any inkjet would work fine).  The 
advantage of the large format is that you can use the larger sizes of 
artists' paper, which makes laying out artwork for big projects more 
convenient, and you don't have to worry about any seams showing.

Glue the paper to the metal surface with some kind of contact cement 
(3M/Scotch "77" spray adhesive seems to be popular on the list), cover with 
clear plastic contact paper, and clearcoat.  I've found that since the 
contact paper already has a matte finish, a gloss clearcoat actually looks 
better than a more diffuse topcoat like satin or flat.

The hardest finish that I've found safe for everyday use is an epoxy clearcoat 
made by Krylon.  Unfortunately, it looks like this may no longer be 
available, which is really too bad, as it had exceptional durability not 
unlike the autobody clearcoats.  Also unlike the autobody clearcoats, which 
are really quite dangerous even with the proper safety equipment, the Krylon 
epoxy was safe to use with just a standard respirator.  The alternatives to 
the Krylon epoxy are the many brands of spray polyurethane, which are quite 
durable but prone to ambering over time--this looks good on natural wood but 
not so hot on the kinds of colors you can get from an inkjet printer.

HTH

-PRH

On Saturday 22 July 2006 12:19, you wrote:
>    > From: "Casio Rapman" <casiorapman at hotmail.com>
>    > Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 07:15:29 -0700
>    >
>    > Is there a cheap, fast and easy way to do professional looking
>    > front panel graphics at home using a standard injet printer?