Hi!
Years ago I was frustrated not being able to achieve decent results like one gets with silk screened face plates.
I never got to the point to order a Schaeffer panel (since I'm living in the EU (AUT) it would be easy for me to do so) and admired all who got that MOTM-lookalikes with silkscreened panels.
I did a real fuzz about different layouts and designs (e.g. tick marks) and eventually I ended up with a lot of different types of panels some quite rudimentary.
I also gave up the idea of having the same look throughout the system - to me it proofed not being worth it.
Currently - if it's not a kit or ready built module - I start with a hard masonite panel in order to test the position of the controls and sockets and its haptics.
After some time I replace it with a self made aluminium panel which eventually gets a layer of a laminated printout.
I also ditched the idea of complex legending like drawing filter slopes - but then again I still like the look.
However, the laminates are sort of ok, but the contrast could be better (I'm farsighted so that's an real issue).
Sam posted this link to Metalphoto - what product are you using?
I wonder if something like this is available in the EU.
In this closeup you can see the different panel types including the lower edge of some hard masonite in the upper row:
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ModularSynthPanels/photos/album/919680283/pic/1799018768/view>
The three bare aluminium panels currently have no lettering at all and I wonder if I ever will make some since I know the controls by heart meanwhile ... ;-)
Michael.
--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "j_inform3r" <abstract.express@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
> I've been telling myself I would come up with an alternative to Schaeffer for years but I always end up going with them. I guess because it's all I know in the realm of "panel art".
> I have some sheets of Safmat. I read in a tutorial that it produces good results but I also saw someone on here say they were not pleased....
> Of course the best route (at least for me) is if some sort of silk-screening were possible. Anyone out there doing their own panels? If so, which method do you use?
>
> For a long time I was stuck on my modular only being one color; black. That made things hard when doing diy because there aren't many printers with WHITE ink!! :) Now that I have modular systems from other manufacturers I'm used to a little variation. In fact, I've decided to do all of my DIY projects on aluminum panels. This way whatever "panel art" I print out will show up easily.
>
> In the Photos section there are 2 pics from a member who seems to have an aesthetic of grey panel/blue lettering (Buchla inspired?). It looks like Schaeffer work. They're both Frac modules. Really cool looking. BTW, is it possible to add extra fonts to the Schaeffer app or no? The font on the 2 Frac's I just mentioned looked really fantastic.
>
> Best,
> John
>