Marquee Size Small, is 17"x4" worth it or a waste?

[Jimd0586]

I finished building a small bartop arcade. I used a raspberrypi and wanted something that was small. If I do this again in the future, I will go with a more powerful setup and Hyperspin and a larger cabinet, but for now, this will do.

I used a 19" LCD monitor making the width of the machine 17". Aside from the arcade controls and the boards for the Xin-Mo controller, the reset of the guts of the system are up top behind where the marquee will be. I have the speakers there, speaker board, some wiring, and of course the Pi up there.

So I can either cover it with more plywood and paint or put a decal on it, or I can put a marquee across and possibly back light it with a small light. I would rather have the second option.

The dims of the marquee area are about 17" x 3" right now, but at this stage I can unscrew the board and tilt it down making it more like 17" x 4" or even 4.5". I probably can't make it much wider than 4.5" though as the base board of the marquee is up against the top of the monitor. I don't have pictures handy, but I can post them tonight if needed.

My question is, with a small size like 17" x 4" or 17" x 4.5", is a custom marquee possible or even worth making?

[HaRuMaN]

Yes

[Jimd0586]

Short and to the point! Hahaha ok. Thanks! Any ideas where to go for a custom marquee of that size? The tools at my disposal are somewhat limited.

[Ramakers]

Hello,
my opinion: an arcade cabinet is nothing without a marquee!
If possible make it 4.5". And if you give me some idea's of what you like to get on there I can probably come up with a custom design for you.

[HaRuMaN]

Lots of people here can help you with custom ark, ping Malenko, he can help.

I have a bartop kit that has a 17.75" x 4.5" marquee space, looks just fine.   

[Jimd0586]

Thanks guys. I was just looking for a really generic "Arcade" or "RetroArcade" marquee that had a ton of famous arcade characters from all different generations on it. I will probably paint the cabinet black or Red (like a neo geo).

[Ramakers]

a ton of famous arcade characters is a ton of work. And its very difficult to get it right. They all have to match.

A quick search on google brought me to this:

http://switchblaze.com/geekstuff.htm


If you make it 17" wide, its 4.6"high. You can cut it easily to 4.5" the resolution then is over 400 dpi so ready for printing.

[yotsuya]

Thanks guys. I was just looking for a really generic "Arcade" or "RetroArcade" marquee that had a ton of famous arcade characters from all different generations on it.

[yotsuya]

Btw, that was posted because the user was asking for opinions. So save the "hater" comments. Kthxbai.

[pbj]

An arcade cabinet without a marquee?

There's something missing, something wrong...it's like a pretty girl with short hair.

[Jimd0586]

a ton of famous arcade characters is a ton of work. And its very difficult to get it right. They all have to match.

A quick search on google brought me to this:

http://switchblaze.com/geekstuff.htm


If you make it 17" wide, its 4.6"high. You can cut it easily to 4.5" the resolution then is over 400 dpi so ready for printing.

Thanks! So, how do I make that into a plexi marquee? Is there a site for that that isn't too expensive? (Forgive me if the link you provided takes you to a site that makes these, I am on my phone so I am doing just one thing at a time)

Any Yotsuya, yes I derserved that pic... and it was from a good movie so that makes it even better.

[yotsuya]

Any Yotsuya, yes I derserved that pic... and it was from a good movie so that makes it even better.

 You're alright, bro.

You need anything, just ask.

[Jimd0586]

Any recommendations on an online company that will make custom marquee graphics for the dims I need that isn't super pricey?

[Jimd0586]

Just to give you an idea of what my cabinet looks like, I've attached a pic. This was my first attempt and I admit I didn't think it through totally before building. I'm thinking I'll paint it similar to a new geo. I need to sad some glue first though.

[yotsuya]

Honestly, if you just grabbing something off the internet like you have, go to Kinko's and have them print it on poster paper. It'll be cheap, it won't look that bad, and it doesn't affect you playing games at all.

[JDFan]

Honestly, if you just grabbing something off the internet like you have, go to Kinko's and have them print it on poster paper. It'll be cheap, it won't look that bad, and it doesn't affect you playing games at all.

That works fine - IIRC mine for my Robotron bartop cost about $2 per print for the marquee and bottom piece on 1 sheet and the bezel on another so less than $5 total

(If the width is less than 17" it is really cheap since they can use their regular 11x17" printer rather than the wide format printer )

[Jimd0586]

Ok, so if I go that route, since my cabinet marquee area is open, what would you recommend for a backing? Additionally, if I have Kinko's make a copy of the pic to the dims I need, its on a piece of paper. Any specific paper you request? Do you just glue it to the backing or tape it with double sided scotch tape?

[JDFan]

Ok, so if I go that route, since my cabinet marquee area is open, what would you recommend for a backing? Additionally, if I have Kinko's make a copy of the pic to the dims I need, its on a piece of paper. Any specific paper you request? Do you just glue it to the backing or tape it with double sided scotch tape?

I had mine printed at office depot and just had them use a cardstock or photopaper ( they had several heavy stock papers - just ask them to look at the papers and chose what you think would be heavy enough ) - Then if you want you can also have them laminate it to add a coating over the print so it will last longer ( I didn't add the laminate since I was covering it with plexi anyway ) - For install the paper was heavy enough and the area behind it small enough that nothing was needed behind it but you could always cut a piece of cardboard to place behind it if needed ! - And no tape was needed since the aluminum bracket kept it and the plexi in place.

Figure since your marquee is 17x4" place 2 copies on a 11x 17" layout and have them print it on a 11x17" paper (won't cost any extra as the paper is standard size -and you'll get 2 copies so you have an extra in case you mess up or one gets damaged you'll have a replacement.) Or do 2 versions if you're undecided on what you want.

[Jimd0586]

So I figured out what I'm doing for the marquee thanks to you guys! I know my theme- red and black like a neo geo. I know the marquee I have chosen doesn't quite work with the neo geo theme, but hell this is mine so who cares!

Anyway, I bought the paints but was curious about the area around the joysticks and buttons. It seems to me the best thing to do is take out the joysticks and buttons and paint the entire thing red. Instead of masking off lines for the white portions, do I use a decal template or something? What do people do for the arcade control surfaces? Do you guys have vinyl decals made? How do you do it? I don't have the exact dimensions of my arcade control surface and I'm worried that I may get a measurement off a bit. Any suggestions? I want this to look clean. I have attached two pics- one pic of my current arcade before painting, and another of a guy online who's arcade I would like to emulate.

[Jimd0586]

As a follow-up, is there a site or program that everyone uses to get that kind of detail?

[Jimd0586]

Can office depot make images printed out into large stickers?

Ok, so if I go that route, since my cabinet marquee area is open, what would you recommend for a backing? Additionally, if I have Kinko's make a copy of the pic to the dims I need, its on a piece of paper. Any specific paper you request? Do you just glue it to the backing or tape it with double sided scotch tape?

I had mine printed at office depot and just had them use a cardstock or photopaper ( they had several heavy stock papers - just ask them to look at the papers and chose what you think would be heavy enough ) - Then if you want you can also have them laminate it to add a coating over the print so it will last longer ( I didn't add the laminate since I was covering it with plexi anyway ) - For install the paper was heavy enough and the area behind it small enough that nothing was needed behind it but you could always cut a piece of cardboard to place behind it if needed ! - And no tape was needed since the aluminum bracket kept it and the plexi in place.

Figure since your marquee is 17x4" place 2 copies on a 11x 17" layout and have them print it on a 11x17" paper (won't cost any extra as the paper is standard size -and you'll get 2 copies so you have an extra in case you mess up or one gets damaged you'll have a replacement.) Or do 2 versions if you're undecided on what you want.

[JDFan]

Can office depot make images printed out into large stickers?

  Not sure if they carry the large sticker paper but normally they'll print onto paper you bring in so if you have the sticker paper you could take it with you and they'll print them for you.

[yotsuya]

Can office depot make images printed out into large stickers?

  Not sure if they carry the large sticker paper but normally they'll print onto paper you bring in so if you have the sticker paper you could take it with you and they'll print them for you.

Jim, send me a PM.

[lazrhog]

I made my own version of that marquee in inkscape, so it can be resized to anything.  All those arcade characters are available for download in vector format if you look around.  I just made up my own text