UK Printers for Side-Art, CP and Marquee

[stigzler]

Hi folks,

As ever, have tried the search. As ever, got lost in the detail and also lots of old posts coming up.

Have 3 pieces of artwork needing printing. All done in Vector format in Inkscape. Some with filers applied to produce final artwork appearance. Related questions:

1) Side Art (x2)
What DPI should I get this printed at?
What kind of material should I get (got lost in the midst of "laminate" "monomeric" "ploymeric" gsm etc)

2) CP
These are gonna be interchangeable CP module - so need to be hardy. Read somewhere about "175 micron textured laminate" - would this be good? If so - where does this!?

3) Marquee
Would prefer to buy the whole unit pre-assembled rather than put it all together (and pref from the same printers!). Anywhere in UK do this? Also - lots of black in mine - so would i need two layers - one 'mask' layer for the blacks and second colours etc?

So in short - need a recommendation of a printer in the UK who has experience of producing arcade artwork. Feels like a pricey business to get wrong/experiment with.

Thanks folks.

[ark_ader]

Wow Saint needs to put some flashing colours on the Search The Site button. 

http://www.granthams.co.uk/

I must have posted a reference to this site like eleventy times since whenever.

I like them.  They are competitively priced, do a good job and turn it around pretty quick.

Best of all they will copy most copyrighted items, especially if you tell them you are an art student.   

[ChanceKJ]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134866.0.html

Ok, he's not from the UK, but man, Brad just seems to get this stuff.  Little back story: I'm a graphics/design guy and picky as hell. I've got loads of experience working with many different vendors to make many different types of team apparel and promotional products.dye sublimation, embroidery, silk screening, etc. There aren't many printers I trust for my artwork. Again, very picky...

I'm currently in the proccess of getting my vinyl done up by him. I had a local connection to a prestigious Olympic partner. One that I could be in the room as the art was coming off the printer. But honestly I've abandoned that once I started working with Brad. Its a long standing family business and he has a love for this hobby, so that's a win. Competitively priced too. He seems to know the important questions to ask, and is patient with my pickiness. He seems to be quite diligent and on top of his customers needs. I'm currently in the middle of the sample proccess, he's done up a few samples of my actual art with a few choices of laminate and I'm waiting for them to arrive in the mail. But at this point in time I'm already exceedingly happy.

Yes, he is in the Eastern United States, so you'll pay a bit more for shipping. But so far I'd say it's one of those things that might just be worth it. Hell, I'm in Canada, so as far as it goes you might have a better time shipping it over the pond than I will through the Canadian Border.

Oh, and his Youtube video for the application process is top notch. Seriously helpful. 

[jimmer]

I order cpo prints from pixartprinting, where I get the tread-on textured laminate, it's nearly indestructable. See jammaplus for discussion on quality. I could tag your panel onto my next order if you are not in a rush.

[stigzler]

Thanks for the replies folks. Think I'm gonna stick with a UK printer as trying to keep the costs down.

Jimmer - I've seen a few people recommending these guys. I've had a look at the site and prices seem really reasonable. However, the variety of options are a bit daunting, and wondering if anyone could advise me further?

The range of printing options below:


http://www.pixartprinting.co.uk/wide-format/printing-self-adhesive-pvc/flat-surface-adhesive/

For the Side Art:
I'm guessing monomeric.
All my artwork is Vector, so guessing High resolution at 3000dpi is preferable (not much more expensive)?
Also - Gloss vs Matt?? What do people generally go for?
Also, I'm guessing it's worth getting it laminated - If going for gloss should i get matt print + gloss laminate - or which combo of the two?
With laminate - should I bother with UV filtering? It'll be indoors!
Lastly - which cutting method? Easy to cut yourself if I get it "squared" (i.e. cut to borders of print)

For the CPO:
Guess I use the Thread-on 125 gsm lamination? As per my first post - I saw 175 reccommended - is 175 finer or courser than 125? Does it matter??
Also for CPO - would you guys go gloss or Matt?

For Marquee:
Could I just include this on the SideArt Print? Would gloss/matt/laminate consideration matter for this or could I have it the same as the sideart? Then I gues I just sandwich it between two pieces of plexi?
Or would you guys get the marquee done separately - pre-assembled and posted?

The designs I'm using here:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132749.msg1439385.html#msg1439385

Sorry to be a pain on  this one, but feels sooo important to get this last bit right after a year of work!

[jimmer]

I use the HD monomeric Matt with grey back for the cpo.  Not sure why! the 3000dpi is ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---, but the price is so little extra for the HD there's nothing to lose.  What difference Matt or Gloss makes when it's underneath a laminate I've got no idea. Someone sent me some samples but he couldn't remember what they were!

I've got some matt laminated bezel prints on the way, and some direct print to acrylic marquees. Will let you know what I think.

[stigzler]

Cheers jimmer. Why the grey backed acrylic as opposed the the (white?) one?

Be very interested in the marquee prints - mines 'very black' so need to make sure it's not tooo translucent.

[jimmer]

I can't remember why grey, but I think I read a reason somewhere.

Here is the lump of marquees, crappy phone photo but I did adjust the ISO. 

I like everything (in life generally) matt or satin, I was expecting a gloss finish on the marquees but I'd call this satin (I ordered the scratch protection).

I put the graphics together in a rush and I'm new to illustrator. I somehow ended up with different blacks on the 2 Robotron marquees. The 'red' marquee has a black swatch that is approx 85% of each component CMYK.  Most of the marquees is done with 100% CMYK which I guess is full black.   It's quite hard to see the difference on screen or in natural light, but backlit the difference is very obvious. And dissapointingly grey on the not 100% black version.

[stigzler]

That's really helpful, jimmer, thank you. Would never have known about the cymk thing unless you'd mentioned it...

So - where did you get the "direct print to acrylic marquees" from? Does this mean they're printed direct onto the plexiglass??

Thanks for your ongoing advice.

[s_busby_uk]

I am following this thread like a hawk as I'm about to get this stuff sorted too...

[jimmer]

pixartprinting still.
Large format rigid media.

Ridiculously cheap postage as it comes from Italy.
My next print is going to be a Defender landscape 3000mm x330mm on opal plexiglass. £30 delivered

[stigzler]

Cheers jimmer.

Just scoped this out. The amazing thing is it's exactly the same price for 61cmx19cm (dims of marquee) as it is for 61cmx160!! Price with scratch resistant coating - £37.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the site :/

Your previous photo, jimmer, looks like a number of marquees printed on one sheet?

If this is the case - then how cool is that!! I could get 8 marquees printed for the same price as 1!!

Quick-release marquee insertion system is now begging to be designed!!

[jimmer]

Yep, it's minimum order 1 square metre. For me that's 4 control panels, 9 marquees, or 4 bezels.

I'm doing swappable panels, marquees and bezels

I use 5mm opal plexi, so it was £58 medium delivery.  3mm opal won't diffuse the light as much as 5mm, so you will need greater distance to your lamps for an even light intensity.  You'd have to very shallow lightbox for it to be a problem really, but 3mm doesn't feel right, just too thin.

[s_busby_uk]

Just scoped this out. The amazing thing is it's exactly the same price for 61cmx19cm (dims of marquee) as it is for 61cmx160!! Price with scratch resistant coating - £37.

How did you get a quote for that set of dimensions? The site only seems to accept a minimum of 20cmx20cm and my marquee needs to be about 69x15cm

[stigzler]

You on the right page, busby?

Here:

http://www.pixartprinting.co.uk/wide-format/printing-flat-bed-rigid-materials/perspex/

Either choose a pre-set sheet size or enter custom dimensions.

Also, did you mean site only accepts a maximum, rather than "minimum"?

[s_busby_uk]

Was definitely on the right page! When I punch in my needs it pops up a warning saying it can't print in anything less than 20x20. Try it for yourself and let me know if you see any different

[stigzler]

Oh sorry - with you now...

Guess you'll just have to trim it down yourself when you get it?

Should be easy enough with a jigsaw and the right blade

good luck

[s_busby_uk]

Gah! The idea puts me into cold sweats lol. Are you cutting yours?

[stigzler]

Yeah - will be - essentially the top and bottom will be covered as it has to be held onto the cab - so few little mistakes or less than perfect cutting will go unnoticed.

[JDFan]

Was definitely on the right page! When I punch in my needs it pops up a warning saying it can't print in anything less than 20x20. Try it for yourself and let me know if you see any different

PRobably needs to be 20mm minimum for each dimension -- so try putting in 69x20 instead of 69x15 and see if it still gives the error. (Might have to add some blank space to one side and cut off the excess)

[s_busby_uk]

Yeah am aware of the implications! Was just confused because it seemed stigzler had managed to get a quote with a dimension that was less than 20 so wondered if he'd selected something I hadn't.

You make a good point tho stigzler - any tough edges will be covered so I can allow for any slightly shoddy cutting. Phew!

[stigzler]

Apologies - I may have confused things - I did, indeed have to go for 20cm rather then 19.

[rockyrocket]

Some more examples of pixarts stuff can be found here.....
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133515.msg1381618.html#msg1381618

[stigzler]

Thanks Rocky - those pics really useful.

What type of vinyl you using for that textured CPO??

[rockyrocket]

Hi, so for the actual vinyl it seems that once the top layer is on  the base to my eyes makes no difference.
I just make sure to pick one of the HD versions and you need the 125gsm lamination.

I have not used them recently but have had no problems with pixart so far, but Minwah was not that happy with his prints in the thread linked to above.
Originally I posted  some offcuts to both jimmer and minwah, both of whom then used them.

Jimmer is still happy, minwah not, so until I reuse Pixart I still do not know if  quality has changed - so can not wholly recommend them.

I will be using them in the next three weeks though s can say more then.

[stigzler]

Thanks Rocky,

Such a difficult one isn't it? Eveyone has different tastes and expectations. I suppose the main differentiator is that of when Minwah used them... Did he use them around the same as yourself and the other guys? If so, then it's a taste thing. From the pics you posted, I think I would be happy with prints at that quality.

Feels like a missive gamble, thought as I think my artwork';s gonna cost around £130 in total. Don;t want to be throwing that away!

Ta for your posts.

[s_busby_uk]

If my control panel is going to be all black (I've got white lit-up buttons and keeping things minimal) and underneath perspex, I'm guessing I won't need any high-res stuff, right? Do I need lamination either? What benefits does laminating it give you if it's going to be underneath perspex?

[jimmer]

I wouldn't give much weight to minwah's complaint, he didn't show any pictures or show us the source file to show what he sent them. Probably just pissed off that his cardboard tube was squashed.

That said, I wouldn't claim they are great quality, but they are fine for my application. I'm not a restorer of originals machines, and I don't worry about what the print looks like from 100mm away.

You can see some examples  (low quality phone photos I'm afraid) on my fightstick page https://www.facebook.com/retrofightsticks

pixart do seem to have quality problems with dust getting under the lamination. One time I got a second set of prints in the same tube because the first has problems. Another time they printed double my order (side by side) as if they were expecting problems ! So far I've salvaged more than I paid for from each order, but if it's a one-off order, or a single large print, you might consider paying more for better confidence.

[s_busby_uk]

Yeah from what I saw of he photos in the other threas they look perfectly decent.

So I need help as I've never bought this stuff before. I just want a layer of black vinyl on my cp under my Perspex layer. What would people recommend? What is the best material? And do I get the holes printed in there so I know where to cut or might I just as well order a plain rectangular sheet and cut it by sight to save money?

[PL1]

I just want a layer of black vinyl on my cp under my Perspex layer. What would people recommend? What is the best material? And do I get the holes printed in there so I know where to cut or might I just as well order a plain rectangular sheet and cut it by sight to save money?

Your best bet is to order a roll of black adhesive vinyl instead of having someone print a plain black rectangle for your CP.

Consider looking into "blackboard vinyl" -- lots of people like that finish and IIRC it should allow you to skip the perspex layer.   

Apply the vinyl before you trim the sides and cut the holes with either a fresh X-Acto #11 (tuck under the t-molding method) or use a router flush cut bit like Martijn and EMDB did.

Stay close to the tip of the blade if you use the X-Acto/hobby knife for a closer/cleaner trim while cutting inside curves.


Scott

[Minwah]

I wouldn't give much weight to minwah's complaint, he didn't show any pictures or show us the source file to show what he sent them. Probably just pissed off that his cardboard tube was squashed.

I wasn't that pissed off to be honest, as I only ordered as a test. I did not order the laminated vinyl to keep the cost down, since I just wanted to see the quality of the print. The material I ordered the print on was 'Monomeric Matt Adhesive Vinyl', and it only cost about 6 quid, so no loss really. The package did arrive from Italy.

The images I sent were bitmaps at 300dpi produced from vector sources - very high quality. However I did ask this question before ordering, via email:

I am interested in getting some printing done on adhesive PVC, laminated. I have read in your FAQ that images must be between 100-150dpi. Can I ask whether this is correct? It says elsewhere on your site that all prints are 'HD' and I would ideally like my images to be printed at 300dpi.

...and I did not receive a reply. The print I received did not look like it was printed at 300dpi, and didn't look very good to me at all. It did prove useful for testing that I had the joystick & button details in the correct place however.

That said, the example photos from rockyrocket do look very good...certainly better than mine looked (I know its hard to tell from photos, but still). Maybe I was unlucky, or maybe the printing process for laminated vinyl is different (I wouldn't have thought so). Either way, I decided to go to GameOnGrafix and did a joint order with a few others to share the shipping etc.

Next time I am thinking of trying these folk, which I have heard good things about:

https://www.facebook.com/arcadeprintshop

[stigzler]

Thanks for adding to considerations, Minwah.

I'm not into flaming companies, but I do believe in sharing info.

ArcadePrintShop: Emailed them on the 14th May with detailed query/request for quote. Heard nothing back. Emailed them the next day to check their trading status. I'm still yet to hear anything back. Nothing from them at all. Must say, not very impressed by that.

[Minwah]

ArcadePrintShop: Emailed them on the 14th May with detailed query/request for quote. Heard nothing back. Emailed them the next day to check their trading status. I'm still yet to hear anything back. Nothing from them at all. Must say, not very impressed by that.

Ok, that's disappointing. Their post from 8th May says they have been away for two months, so I expect they have quite a backlog of emails. Lets hope they do get back to you.

[jimmer]

I looked at arcadeprintshop, they are probably a good option for a one-off panel. They got the heavy textured laminate in after a few of us asked about it. 

But I'm happy with pixart so far, and don't mind ordering extra spare panels. I always send them a correctly sized .pdf  (all vector sourced) as the safest option. With raster images you might need to know what they are going to do with it at the printers to ensure best reproduction? So if they don't answer your email, that doesn't help much.  I've phoned them a few times, and that gets better answers than trying to read what's on their web page.

[stigzler]

thanks jimmer - helpful. Mine will be pdf'd vectors so guessing all should be fine with resolution of print etc...

[stigzler]

So - coming back to this - I can't put off getting things printed any longer!

Things have changed a bit since the OP. Pixart printing are still going, but don't appear to do the "treat on" laminate anymore (this was recommended as a good way to do CP vinyl). They do, however, do this:

I'm wondering this is the same stuff as referenced by rockyrockey.

Also, it appears as though the resolution of the printing has been reduced dramatically to a recommendation of 150dpi. I'm using highly detailed vector art in my sideart - how will this fare @ 150dpi? E.g. of the sideart:



Alternatively, any other UK printer reccs for vinyl printing?