Bezel and Marquee art on the front or back of plexi?

[diggso]

Apologies if this is answered elsewhere (multiple times in multiple threads) but I'm getting artwork printed up for my new project and I've never used a printing service before.

Game-on-grafix seems to be the most used provider but I asked them about bezel and marquee printing and they say they can only make the back of the art adhesive, which would mean that the art would have to stick on the front of the plexi.
Is this the norm? It's definitely not what I had in mind so any steer would be appreciated.

[bperkins01]

The also print directly on the front of the plexi - then you can get a second piece of clear and sandwich it..
That is what I did with them - worked fine.

[diggso]

Unfortunately this won't work for my build.

[big10p]

Find someone who can backprint on plexi.

[bperkins01]

Your tolerances are within 1/16" of an inch? 
Just curious why it doesn't work..

[diggso]

Sorry I should've been clearer - to answer both questions:
I'm building a replica-ish of the European/UK robotron and I didn't have the time/space/tools this time round to do the woodworking myself so I bought a kit that was mighty similar to the robotron shape. The kit comes with the marquee and bezel plexi already cut to size and the grooves already in the wood.
To sandwich I'd have to get a couple of new sheets to the exact dims (667 x 678 mm  ) of half thickness and hope it would work with the extra thickness of the bezel vinyl.
So it's not that it won't work but it involves a lot of extra hassle that I could do without - I'd probably rather just stick it on the front of the plexi if that was the only option.

The same may be true of someone who can backprint on plexi but that at least would be easier - albeit still means buying more plexi.
If anyone is aware of any service that does print with the adhesive on the printed side or backprints on plexi I'd love to hear it.

[big10p]

If you happen to be in the uk, muddymusic on UKVAC can backprint to plexi - any size. Really good quality stuff, too.

[diggso]

Yep I'm in the UK so that's great, thanks.

[behrmr]

You have a couple of options.  Printers like escappodonline.com here in the states can print and reverse apply to plexi.  You provide the specs to them and they produce a finished product for you.  Or they can print it for you so that you can reverse apply it to your existing plexi.   They typically do it with two pieces of vinyl.  One is your art that you adhere to the back of the plexi and the other is just a piece of white that you adhere over the art.  I don't know if they take international orders but you could ask. 

[JudgeRob]

Yeah, there's a guy here named Brad who can reverse print it on the vinyl.  I ordered mine from him.  He had a thread here with videos and stuff but I can't seem to find it right now.

[PL1]

Yeah, there's a guy here named Brad who can reverse print it on the vinyl.  I ordered mine from him.  He had a thread here with videos and stuff but I can't seem to find it right now.

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


Scott

[JudgeRob]

There it is.  Email him, he is easy to work with.

[diggso]

thanks all!

[diggso]

Quick update here.
I got in touch with Brad as recommended here and a) he was very quick to respond and seems really easy to work with and b) his stuff looks really good quality. Even though I didnt end up purchasing from him I wouldn't hesistate to recommend (esp if you're based in the US).
In the end I went with Olly from arcadeartshop.com (aka middymusic) as also recommended for 2 reasons a) he's based in the UK so shipping was a lot cheaper for me and b) he can reverse print directly onto the back of the plexi. He was great to work with, spotted some issues early on and made some good recommendations. Very happy with the finished productand highly recommended. Finished pics attached. Thanks to all for the assist.

[diggso]

pic