Lettering for the front of a 19" rack unit

[Kiwi]

Does anyone know of a system I can use to label the controls of my new custom rack mounted mixer? I guess the alternatives are

1) Opaque white marker pen
2) Plastic strip lettering (which looks tacky)
3) Engraving (at 50p a letter)

At the moment, I've used chinograph pencil but its not a permanent solution by a long way.

[Paul_C]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='7268' date='May 26 2007, 07:19 PM']Does anyone know of a system I can use to label the controls of my new custom rack mounted mixer? I guess the alternatives are

1) Opaque white marker pen
2) Plastic strip lettering (which looks tacky)
3) Engraving (at 50p a letter)

At the moment, I've used chinograph pencil but its not a permanent solution by a long way.[/quote]

paint pen ?

[obbm]

Dymo tape?

Laser print onto label media.

Edited May 26, 2007 by obbm

[BigRedX]

[url="http://www.letraset.com/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=139&cat=Transfer+Lettering&ssctn=default"]Letraset Rub Down Lettering[/url] is what I used last time I built some rack mounted gear over 15 years ago. You'll probably have to go to a graphics supply specialist to buy some now.

[Gazm]

What about something like this [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=99232"]Brother Labeller[/url]

[BigRedX]

Just though I'd show what sorts of results can be achieved with Letraset or similar Rub-down letters.

Here's an Amdek chorus & flanger (remember them) mounted in a 1U rack box (the top one) and then Letraset lettered.





I sprayed the lettered panel with a clear coat of laquer to protect the letters.
This unit was in my main gigging rack in the late 80s and early 90's and has stood up well. Sine then it's lived in one of my studio racks.
Proper rack units from Lexicon and ART below it so you can compare the quality of the lettering.

[Buzz]

Fine paintbrush and enamal modeling paint?

[Kiwi]

Thanks guys - I know and have worked with letraset often in the past at work. I should have thought about that before posting really. I was hoping for something that didn't rely on the eye for letter spacing and level just because I'm lazy more than anything when it comes to doing this.

The coat of lacquer might do the trick as far as protecting it is concerned.

Marker pen and Dymo tape is possible although I'd prefer something better quality.

[JPJ]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='7775' date='May 27 2007, 07:48 PM']Thanks guys - I know and have worked with letraset often in the past at work. I should have thought about that before posting really. I was hoping for something that didn't rely on the eye for letter spacing and level just because I'm lazy more than anything when it comes to doing this.

The coat of lacquer might do the trick as far as protecting it is concerned.

Marker pen and Dymo tape is possible although I'd prefer something better quality.[/quote]

Providing you are not tying to achieve white text on a black background, you can achieve great results using iron-on transfer paper, the stuff you can use to print tee-shirts. A coat of lacquer helps fix this too, and this way you can lay everything out on the computer and then print out and iron on to the front of the rack unit. I did a rack with black text in little yellow boxes which looked great against the black facia of the rack unit.

[Oxblood]

I know this is a rather big departure from your basic desire to put professional looking labels on an existing panel, but I've recently come across these guys in Germany:

[b]Schaeffer AG[/b]
Hohentwielsteig 6a,
D-14163 Berlin
Tel. +49 30/805 86 950

Website: [url="http://www.schaeffer-ag.de"]www.schaeffer-ag.de[/url]

Go to their website and download the free "Front Panel Designer" software (Windows only, alas). Design your ideal panel, send the resulting design to Schaeffer and they will manufacture it for you, with all the decals etc.

I haven't really got to grips with it myself yet - still noodling around with the software at present - nor do I know how it works out cost-wise, but it looks like it could be a useful service for any of us who do DIY electronics projects.

[nedsbeds]

Wow! comes out to about 30 euros for a completely custom 1U panel with colour and everything!

[The Burpster]

kiwi,
Before you rush off and use letraset, another option I use on model aircraft (that would be ace for what youre doing) is :-

Get yourself a sheet of waterslide transfer paper (available from specialists but also on ebay....) You can then draw, letraset or better still use your computer printer to produce the words- cut out the transfer and put it on your amp- just like you used to do with Airfix kits......

Looks well trick!

[Kiwi]

[quote name='The Burpster' post='8137' date='May 28 2007, 04:03 PM']kiwi,
Before you rush off and use letraset, another option I use on model aircraft (that would be ace for what youre doing) is :-

Get yourself a sheet of waterslide transfer paper (available from specialists but also on ebay....) You can then draw, letraset or better still use your computer printer to produce the words- cut out the transfer and put it on your amp- just like you used to do with Airfix kits......

Looks well trick![/quote]

Thanks Burpster, unfortunately I do need white lettering.

Good call with that German company Oxblood. I haven't looked at it in any detail yet, but would it require the user to map out the control layout before the labelling could be completed? The mixer is essentially complete, apart from the lettering.

[Alien]

Avery make a laser-printable vinyl label, available in A4 sheets, in silver and white. Print everything in 'negative' and it looks a treat, especially the silver, really subtle looking. Not the toughest stuff around, tends to rub off if it's treated roughly, but clear sticky film over the top should protect it pretty well.

Andy

[Oxblood]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='8145' date='May 28 2007, 04:12 PM']Good call with that German company Oxblood. I haven't looked at it in any detail yet, but would it require the user to map out the control layout before the labelling could be completed? The mixer is essentially complete, apart from the lettering.[/quote]
Yes, that's right. You design the panel using the software, and they manufacture the whole thing. Rather more than you're looking for, but worth exploring for future projects maybe.

[Delberthot]

You could try here:

[url="http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/"]http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/[/url]

[largo]

Wow, that Schaeffer AG site looks good.
Maybe I can design myself a new front for my Ashdown ABM EVO II RC amp.
Get rid of the shiny chrome and go for a nice blue or red front on it instead. Guess what I'll be doing the next few days !
Do you think Ashdown would send me their layout specs ?

Edited June 22, 2007 by largo

[Dood]

Mebbe! I think Mark Gooday would be interested to see a 'pimped' ashdown. I think this company would make a really professional looking 'front'. I'm toying with making a box of bits too, and this company would make my 'stuff' look very smart! The prices are awesome too, considering what they are doing.

[wizbat]

Wht not get some paint pens, scribble all over it and write "zvex" at the bottom!

[OldGit]

[quote name='wizbat' post='22196' date='Jun 22 2007, 10:12 PM']Wht not get some paint pens, scribble all over it and write "zvex" at the bottom![/quote]

Or DHA



You've probably sorted this by now but if you found a source of white lettraset-type lettering I'd be interested ..
I used 2mm white lettraset dots as side markers for years where the standard ones were too small to see easily but when I went looking for white rub off lettering this time I failed miserably ...

Edited March 10, 2008 by OldGit

[Scoop]

You could try speaking to some local bikers or a bike repairshop. They often use custom-made vinyl self-adhesive lettering for helmet customisation and for replacing bike lettering after a re-spray or accident repair. The results are fabulous, cheap, and every bike repairshop in the country will know how where the local specialist is.

[FJ1200]

[quote name='Oxblood' post='8106' date='May 28 2007, 02:41 PM']I know this is a rather big departure from your basic desire to put professional looking labels on an existing panel, but I've recently come across these guys in Germany:

[b]Schaeffer AG[/b]
Hohentwielsteig 6a,
D-14163 Berlin
Tel. +49 30/805 86 950

Website: [url="http://www.schaeffer-ag.de"]www.schaeffer-ag.de[/url][/quote]

Passed this on to our engineering guys here. They look like a great company to know about and could prove extremely useful in the future. I may even use them myself some time for some custom panels in my server room.

[tauzero]

[quote name='OldGit' post='154402' date='Mar 10 2008, 11:55 AM']You've probably sorted this by now but if you found a source of white lettraset-type lettering I'd be interested ..
I used 2mm white lettraset dots as side markers for years where the standard ones were too small to see easily but when I went looking for white rub off lettering this time I failed miserably ...[/quote]
Try W H Smiths and Hobbycraft.