[regal]

Saw an infomercial on this new silkscreen machine. You can create an image with your printer and then make a screen and silkscreen away. Looks great for amp faceplates and the like.

https://www.4yudu.com/index.asp?affid=002

 

[scompton]

If you do buy it, a quick search shows it over $100 cheaper numerous places.

 

[regal]

I am afraid to buy it because it was on an informercial, but I couldn't help but think it could make a professional looking amp out of a PAR Metals enclosure. I think it was $30 on the informercial.

 

[ROBSCIX]

There are also many ways to make high quality stickers also using a home PC and printer. I think the silk screen would look better but sticker have a place also.

If I am doing my math right, that silk screen kit would cost you almost $400. If it is worth it to you then sure, it is not that much and could give your build an extra bit of class.

$33 for 30 day trial + $25 S+H, if you want to keep it then 6 more payments of $57.

You could get alot of work done with it in 30 days though!

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am afraid to buy it because it was on an informercial, but I couldn't help but think it could make a professional looking amp out of a PAR Metals enclosure. I think it was $30 on the informercial.

$30 is a 30 day trial. If you don't return it they charge your credit card 7 payments of $59. The probably said that once real fast and quiet on the infomercial

I don't blame you for not trusting something on an infomercial. It has mixed reviews on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Provo-Craft-No...1424890&sr=8-2

Edit: It's actually not cheaper. You can buy the same package with all the extras, cards, t-shirt, etc, on Amazon for the same price. It just that you can buy it without all of the supposedly free stuff for $150 less

 

[regal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are also many ways to make high quality stickers also using a home PC and printer. I think the silk screen would look better but sticker have a place also. If I am doing my math right, that silk screen kit would cost you almost $400. If it is worth it to you then sure, it is not that much and could give your build an extra bit of class. $33 for 30 day trial + $25 S+H, if you want to keep it then 6 more payments of $57. You could get alot of work done with it in 30 days though!

Oh crap I didn't catch that, glad I posted, I thought it was only $30 bucks! Where do you find these printer stickers?

 

[ROBSCIX]

Yeah, I would be a bit untrusting also. It may be OK if you had a few buddies to invest on it also. You also have to factor in the consumables, how does it work and what about replacments for everything?

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh crap I didn't catch that, glad I posted, I thought it was only $30 bucks! Where do you find these printer stickers?

You can buy sheets of blank sticker material. I have seen them but I did not look into it further. It would be nice if you could get clear material and run through your printer. I will have a look and post back. Here is somethign that I woudl consider for building project enclosures, Rub on decals or water transfer stickers like you use for model cars.-> LINK I just had a quick look but I think you can find a cost effective way to get what you need with a bit of research.

 

[regal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, I would be a bit untrusting also. It may be OK if you had a few buddies to invest on it also. You also have to factor in the consumables, how does it work and what about replacments for everything?

All in all a bad idea for a DIYer, maybe a small commercial amp builder. I'm just tired of my plain Par-Metals amps, they all look the same. FPE is so expensive to me it kills the cost advantage of DIY.

 

[scompton]

There's a thread on it somewhere. I did a quick google search and found this Crystal Clear Laser Labels - Sizes and Configurations - OnlineLabels.com. It's for laser printers only, but they have them for inkjets too.

 

[johnwmclean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal /img/forum/go_quote.gif All in all a bad idea for a DIYer, maybe a small commercial amp builder. I'm just tired of my plain Par-Metals amps, they all look the same. FPE is so expensive to me it kills the cost advantage of DIY.

Laser engraving works well on Par-Metal enclosures (clear anodized), the alo goes a white colour, although it can be hard to see depending on the lighting.
I’ve been told you can pass the laser over several times for even more definition. It’s cheap too, well that is compared to engraving

 

[scompton]

I did a search in the DIY forum for print and label and a number of threads came up.

These look like the best

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/wat...e-them-472094/

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/ton...-cases-290221/

 

[ROBSCIX]

Point being there are many different ways to dress up normal "project box" enclosures to make them look more like a professional product. Post your impressions if you try out some of these suggestions.

 

[JamesL]

I just ordered a kit online for really cheap that may give similar results to a professional screen print..
I'll post it up here if it turns out alright.

 

[nikongod]

It sounds like you can set up a DIY silk screen setup pretty cheap from what I found.

I found this on a quick search

Edited:
I wonder if silk screening could be used to apply the etch resist for acid etching aluminum? Some of the other sites I found said that silk screening aluminum could be hard. I recall there was a batch of RSA amps where all the lettering rubbed off.