Author Topic: Who wants button labels? (Was: Alternatives for making Labeled Buttons?) (Read 8414 times)

mark shaker · « **on:** January 28, 2006, 06:12:25 am »

I would like to put labled buttons on my driving cabinet.

On Happ Control's Illuminated Buttons, you can print labels on transparencies and place the label under the clear button top.

Unfortunately, except for the Elliptical Button, Happs Illuminated Buttons have 1" shafts, and the holes in my CP are 1 1/8".

Are there any other buttons that I can label that have 1 1/8" diameter shaft? (I'm not planning to illuminate them, so that not an issue.)

Thanks!

- Mark

markrvp · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2006, 09:09:22 am »

You can always wrap electrical tape around the top of the shaft to make its diameter 1-1/8" If your CP is 3/4", then use 3/4" wide (or less) tape. If it's 1/2" use 1/2", etc.

mark shaker · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:13:24 pm »

Quote from: markrvp on January 28, 2006, 09:09:22 am

You can always wrap electrical tape around the top of the shaft to make its diameter 1-1/8" If your CP is 3/4", then use 3/4" wide (or less) tape. If it's 1/2" use 1/2", etc.

Yeah, but ... the "shoulders" of Happ's small button size are less than 1 1/8", so the tape would be the only thing holding the buttons, and it might even be visible at the edges.

- Mark

Brax · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2006, 10:31:47 pm »

Personally I labeled my standard buttons with the vinyl graphics that were floating around here. I got them cut out at a sign shop. They worked like a charm, they're really durable and it's looks clean and professional.

Scroll down to MAME cabinet button stickers.
http://www.willyliliana.com/

mark shaker · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2006, 06:39:44 am »

Quote from: Brax on January 28, 2006, 10:31:47 pm

Personally I labeled my standard buttons with the vinyl graphics that were floating around here. I got them cut out at a sign shop. They worked like a charm, they're really durable and it's looks clean and professional.

Scroll down to MAME cabinet button stickers.
http://www.willyliliana.com/

Wow. Terrific job customizing those buttons!

I'm going to wait a week to see what other options surface, but your technique has a lot of advantages. The cut sheet has many of the symbols I need. (While my Driving Cabinet is equipped with both a PC and PS2, I rarely use the PC, as all anyone wants to play are the Burnout games. So, I was planning to use PS2 labels. ) Also my panel currently has Happ's plain black concave buttons, so I would not even have to take the thing apart.

I'm a little concerned because my big hands are not that good at delicate work, so it may take me 20 trys to get it right.

A couple follow-up questions:

How much does it cost to have a sheet cut?

Are there problems applying the flat symbols to concave buttons? (Distorations or wrinkles?)

Thanks for your help!

- Mark

M3talhead · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2006, 10:12:23 am »

A somewhat easier way would be to get your hands on some slip-decal paper (the same stuff that comes with scale model kits). You could print out anything you wanted from a printer, cut the shape out, and slip them on the buttons with a little soapy water.

Brax · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2006, 12:36:15 pm »

Quote from: mark shaker on January 29, 2006, 06:39:44 am

I'm a little concerned because my big hands are not that good at delicate work, so it may take me 20 trys to get it right.

A couple follow-up questions:

How much does it cost to have a sheet cut?

Are there problems applying the flat symbols to concave buttons? (Distorations or wrinkles?)

Thanks for your help!

- Mark

It very much delicate work but that website gives perfect step by step instructions on "weeding". I used their tips and it worked out great for me. It's tricky, but doable. Another alternative is have the sign shop weed them for you, then all you have to do is stick on the scotch tape and position them on your button yourself.

The sign shop I went to had a minimun order order of $20. Instead of shopping around to 10 different sign shops I got them to agree to print out 5 copies for the $20. I sold the extras off to 3 friends and kept a spare for my next cabinet. In the end it only cost me $4 a cabinet. More than reasonable in my opinion. (I think weeding them myself helped convince them to print out 5. They were quite surprised I was willing to do it. I think they were also surprised I knew the term "weeding".)

The vinyl is very stretchy and although I was careful to start smoothing them out from the centre outwards; every button conformed perfectly with no wrinkles. I've done 7 or 8 buttons so far and it hasn't been an issue, ever.

As for the above recomendation; I'd be wary about the longevity of decal material on arcade buttons. I also make models and to put it bluntly, decals are bloody fragile. I clearcoat all mine to ensure they last and even then you don't want to handle them much and then sometimes they crack over time... etc. It's up to you. It's definitely something you could try out and see if it works for you.

whatzcrackn · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2006, 01:04:37 pm »

if anyone orders sheets let me know! i want in too

mark shaker · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2006, 01:34:02 pm »

Brax & M3talhead: Thank you!

Quote from: whatzcrackn on January 29, 2006, 01:04:37 pm

if any orders sheets let me know! i want in too

I am NOT making any commitments, but I am going to investigate the vinyl labels with a couple local sign shops.

If I proceed, I need the PS2 symbols in the current cut-out sheet. Plus I'll need R1, R2, L1, L2, Start and Select.

If I get them made I don't mind having additional sets or other sets printed. I will resell them for cost + shipping (I expect $0.39 within the U.S.)

I won't know if the sets will come "Weeded" until I get prices from the sign shops.

Please understand that I am booked this weekend and next, so it will be at least 2 weeks before I look into this any further.

Who is intrested?

What labels do you need?

- Mark

whatzcrackn · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2006, 01:56:58 pm »

I like the ones from the web site. But my cab is ran off a xbox. So I

need the classic a,b,x,y,r,l start and select.

I like the ideal of star wars on the web site too. So repulic, rebel and empire logos woud be great.

as well the transformer one.

Just a thought!

Keep me posted

vizzinni · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2006, 02:46:19 pm »

I'm interested. I only need the white 1P/2P start figures from the sheet shown on that web site, but if I need to take an entire sheet that's fine.

whatzcrackn · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2006, 04:58:31 pm »

next question would the player 1/2 be able to come in different colors? any of the label for that?
I have not seen a set yet. I think that would be kool if it did.

mark shaker · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2006, 05:21:31 pm »

Quote from: whatzcrackn on January 29, 2006, 04:58:31 pm

next question would the player 1/2 be able to come in different colors? any of the label for that?
I have not seen a set yet. I think that would be kool if it did.

I knew that question was coming!

I know it's possible. If the stuff costs just a few bucks a sheet, I might end-up selling whole sheets only. That way I could deal with different colors.

If the weeding drives up costs, and I end up dividing sheets among different buyers, I'll have to just stick to white.

- Mark

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2006, 11:17:10 pm »

Please let me know if this offer is intrusive and I'll delete the post ASAP... but I have some simple vinyl decal sets for sale here:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=49291.0

I can cut full sheets like mentioned above in red/white/black as well, or any custom graphics you might have, especially if you have an .AI or .EPS file.

edit: I added full sheets of the white ones to my thread linked above.

thanks!

whatzcrackn · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2006, 07:10:48 am »

pm sent sent! I will buy some!!

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2006, 07:51:03 am »

I did an updated version of that a while back and sent out about 50 sets to people that sent me SAEs (see this thread). I'll try and find the illustrator file again.

Here's a png of the free sets I sent out:

I'm not going to be doing this again anytime soon, but I'd gladly share the file with anyone that wants to cut themselves a few sets.

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2006, 02:13:54 pm »

JoyMonkey: Were you the original creator of the older version as well? I feel like I might be infringing on copyrights... I've only ever seen the older sheet as a "free" pdf, so I wasn't sure.

Hopefully nobody will mind as I'm not trying to get rich here, I just want to be able to buy some more vinyl (and offer more colors to everyone) and maintain my hobby cutter. Seems like a fair-use win-win type situation, I hope! I'm still $500 in the hole on the machine itself, as I hadn't made a cent with it prior to my post

mahuti · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2006, 02:25:31 pm »

I guarantee he didn't design the Taito, Sega, Atari, Capcom Transformers logos, etc... so yes, you will be infringing copyright.

Somehow, though, I doubt the FBI will come knocking on your door for some hobby stickers sold to fetishists.

RandyT · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2006, 02:33:15 pm »

Quote from: mahuti on January 30, 2006, 02:25:31 pm

.... fetishists.

Is that what you get after eating too much feta cheese?

Brax · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2006, 03:29:34 pm »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on January 30, 2006, 07:51:03 am

I did an updated version of that a while back and sent out about 50 sets to people that sent me SAEs (see this thread). I'll try and find the illustrator file again.

Here's a png of the free sets I sent out:

I'm not going to be doing this again anytime soon, but I'd gladly share the file with anyone that wants to cut themselves a few sets.

I'd love to get that file if you can find it!

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2006, 04:21:55 pm »

Here's the file in editable PDF. It's set up so once it's cut it can be split into 3 sections and will fit into a standard letter-sized envelope easily.

Edit: I did not create the original version of this, that credit goes to Nannuu.

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2006, 05:32:11 pm »

Ahh thanks! I have PM'd Nannuu... I hope this is considered an honorable situation and not a greed-driven one.

mark shaker · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2006, 06:29:28 pm »

Quote from: MikeDeuce on January 29, 2006, 11:17:10 pm

Please let me know if this offer is intrusive and I'll delete the post ASAP... but I have some simple vinyl decal sets for sale here:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=49291.0

I can cut full sheets like mentioned above in red/white/black as well, or any custom graphics you might have, especially if you have an .AI or .EPS file.

edit: I added full sheets of the white ones to my thread linked above.

thanks!

Cool!

Once I get the graphics for the additional buttons I need. I will place my order with you.

I assume that anyone else intrested in this thread will do the same.

- Mark

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #23 on:** January 30, 2006, 06:43:54 pm »

Great, I'll look forward to it!

P.S. Nannuu is awesome, and says I can go ahead and sell these things.

mark shaker · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2006, 07:14:08 pm »

Quote from: MikeDeuce on January 30, 2006, 06:43:54 pm

Great, I'll look forward to it!

P.S. Nannuu is awesome, and says I can go ahead and sell these things.

Not that it would buy you a new car or anything, but if you want to make a little coin, you could sell the standard sheets on E-bay for $10 or $12 or so.

I would have no objection to you profiting from your time and effort.

- Mark

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #25 on:** January 30, 2006, 08:07:58 pm »

Ahh I'm glad that doesn't sound ridiculous! I think in a couple days I might have to go the $10 route for the full sheet... it takes a long time to weed that one and it's the most popular version so far. No need to touch the price of the unweeded sheets though... That one is just working the blade on the cutter, so as long as I can afford to buy sharp blades when they dull, I'm all set.

Great idea with ebay though, didn't think of that!

Thanks again
mike

Brax · « **Reply #26 on:** January 30, 2006, 08:42:12 pm »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on January 30, 2006, 04:21:55 pm

Here's the file in editable PDF. It's set up so once it's cut it can be split into 3 sections and will fit into a standard letter-sized envelope easily.

Edit: I did not create the original version of this, that credit goes to Nannuu.

The cutting place I went to needed a vector format for their machine. png isn't vector is it? Is .pdf vector? In my case, the shop I went to wouldn't look at it unless it was .ai or .eps.

quarterback · « **Reply #27 on:** January 30, 2006, 08:49:41 pm »

pdf files can contain both vector and raster info.

Quote from: Brax on January 30, 2006, 08:42:12 pm

Quote from: JoyMonkey on January 30, 2006, 04:21:55 pm
Here's the file in editable PDF. It's set up so once it's cut it can be split into 3 sections and will fit into a standard letter-sized envelope easily.

Edit: I did not create the original version of this, that credit goes to Nannuu.

The cutting place I went to needed a vector format for their machine. png isn't vector is it? Is .pdf vector? In my case, the shop I went to wouldn't look at it unless it was .ai or .eps.

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #28 on:** January 30, 2006, 10:00:09 pm »

If the shop you went to can work with .ai, they really should be able to work with a pdf with vector info.

Mario · « **Reply #29 on:** January 30, 2006, 10:04:56 pm »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on January 30, 2006, 04:21:55 pm

Here's the file in editable PDF.

Is it possible to get a sheet with just the 1, 2, 3, and 4 player icons (men, no women figures)? I can't figure out how to extract just those from the PDF. Thanks.

Mario

quarterback · « **Reply #30 on:** January 30, 2006, 11:38:45 pm »

Quote from: Mario on January 30, 2006, 10:04:56 pm

Quote from: JoyMonkey on January 30, 2006, 04:21:55 pm
Here's the file in editable PDF.

Is it possible to get a sheet with just the 1, 2, 3, and 4 player icons (men, no women figures)?

You should check out MikeDeuce's original post in B/S/T here http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=49291.0

He was/is offering just those men players 1-4 for under $2 shipped.

2PacMan · « **Reply #31 on:** February 01, 2006, 08:44:06 am »

Can you make any like this for Capcom bowling? The ones that say 'hook' and have the right and left arrows respectively? Mine are all worn.

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #32 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:36:15 pm »

Sure can... I'm not sure how well vinyl holds up on high use buttons, but I can always make a sheet that has multiple copies on it. I'll try to play with the idea tonight and get back to you.

@qb: thanks for the link

2PacMan · « **Reply #33 on:** February 01, 2006, 02:19:03 pm »

Great! Let me know....It's home use, and I don't use the buttons that much, it's mainly for aesthetics, so wear shouldn't be an issue. Do you have the correct font/arrow size to use for the buttons? I couldn't find a good pic on the internet for you to compare, but I would like labels that are consistant with the original text in size and font. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Thanks.

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #34 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:59:38 pm »

Hmm I definitely need to track down a photo of some not as worn buttons...
Especially for the text.

Here's a really quick stab at it in photoshop/illustrator, but without a decent source, I haven't the slightest idea if this is even close to accurate:

The font is not too big an issue if there's a decent image of it because I can draw it from scratch in Illustrator.

2PacMan · « **Reply #35 on:** February 02, 2006, 08:47:10 am »

Awesome....that actually looks pretty good. The arrows are a little strange looking. Is that because of the curve of the buttons, or are the heads of the arrows curved a bit? I believe the heads of the arrows were straight on all sides. Looks real nice...i'm interested.

2PacMan · « **Reply #36 on:** February 02, 2006, 08:48:15 am »

Can anyone help with some pics of some non-worn buttons for our project??

Santoro · « **Reply #37 on:** February 02, 2006, 08:53:20 am »

found this on ebay

2PacMan · « **Reply #38 on:** February 02, 2006, 10:07:29 am »

Awesome! Thank you very much for the pic. MikeDuece, is that enough to get what you need? If you can make some button labels like that, i'll buy some for sure.

MikeDeuce · « **Reply #39 on:** February 02, 2006, 12:58:03 pm »

Ooooh I thought the arrows were curved in the first picture, so that was intentional. I can definitely make those straight... the font in the second picture is a little blurry, but I will try to tweak the text and have you approve it before they're cut.

@Santoro, thanks a lot for the picture!


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