Mame Marquee bezel printing/attachment questions

[unclet]

I have finished building my jukebox and I am now in the process of creating some bezel artwork for around the monitor.   I was thinking about getting MameMarquees to print the bezel for me but I can not decide what type of backing to have it printed on.

Here is information I obtained from the MameMarquees site regarding bezels:

"The Bezels are printed on tough polypropylene (banner material) and then laminated with a luster laminate. It is made to be sandwiched between plexi, or mounted behind the glass using posterboard behind it to support it. If requested, we can also print them on Adhesive vinyl to be mounted to the front of the glass."


My questions:

1) What does "laminated with a luster laminate" mean?   Does this mean the actual image is laminated with thin plastic on either side of it to protect the image?  I keep thinking about a laminating machine I use to use to laminate stuff in college ..... is this what "laminating" means in this context?

2) My bezel will be mounted on top of MDF.   I really do not want to have to put Plexiglas over it to hold it in place so I was wondering whether getting it printed on adhesive vinyl is the way to go or whether there is another recommended technique?   

3) Is the adhesive vinyl tough enough to with stand daily usage of the jukebox over time? 

4) Would I have to worry about the adhesive vinyl tearing or having the colors bleed if my hand rubs on the image over time?  If someone gets the vinyl damp (ie: touches it with a wet hand which was just holding a cold beer), will it ruin the image at all?

5) If I do print it out on adhesive vinyl then how would I mount the image to the MDF bezel area?  Do I simply peel and stick the image to the MDF directly or should I treat the bezel surface first with something to allow the vinyl to stick nicely?

6) How would you mount the bezel?  Any Pros and Cons worth mentioning which I should consider and think about?

7) I added "Bezel artwork" to the "cart" at MameMarquees just to see what the shipping cost would be and noticed it asked me the following questions:

  Bezel material:   
  Height X Width:    
  Bezel dimensions:

Whats is the difference between "Height x Width" and "Bezel dimensions"?

8 ) Any recommendations from you would be great...

[Minwah]

1) What does "laminated with a luster laminate" mean?   Does this mean the actual image is laminated with thin plastic on either side of it to protect the image?  I keep thinking about a laminating machine I use to use to laminate stuff in college ..... is this what "laminating" means in this context?

I am not 100% sure, but from what I understand it is not the same as a normal office laminating machine.  It will just have the printed side covered to protect the print.

2) My bezel will be mounted on top of MDF.   I really do not want to have to put Plexiglas over it to hold it in place so I was wondering whether getting it printed on adhesive vinyl is the way to go or whether there is another recommended technique?   

I would use adhesive vinyl.

3) Is the adhesive vinyl tough enough to with stand daily usage of the jukebox over time? 

I would say it should be, assuming it is laminated as per the sideart MameMarquees do.

4) Would I have to worry about the adhesive vinyl tearing or having the colors bleed if my hand rubs on the image over time?  If someone gets the vinyl damp (ie: touches it with a wet hand which was just holding a cold beer), will it ruin the image at all?

It will be fine, again, assuming it is laminated.

5) If I do print it out on adhesive vinyl then how would I mount the image to the MDF bezel area?  Do I simply peel and stick the image to the MDF directly or should I treat the bezel surface first with something to allow the vinyl to stick nicely?

It is probably ideal to seal/paint the MDF first (I probably would), although I'm sure this isn't 100% neccessary.  Beware if you don't paint it that you best get the vinyl in the right place first time or peeling it off may damage the MDF (if the adhesive is strong enough).

6) How would you mount the bezel?  Any Pros and Cons worth mentioning which I should consider and think about?

I don't know enough about your machine design to answer that...

7) I added "Bezel artwork" to the "cart" at MameMarquees just to see what the shipping cost would be and noticed it asked me the following questions:

  Bezel material:   
  Height X Width:    
  Bezel dimensions:

Whats is the difference between "Height x Width" and "Bezel dimensions"?

I would say 'Height x Width' is definately the overall dimensions.  Not sure what the other field is for!

8 ) Any recommendations from you would be great...

Email Scott for clarification ;-)

[shardian]

I don't think it is necessary to get it printed on adhesive vinyl. You can get some of those photo tape things at a craft store to hold the bezel in place.

[unclet]

MinWah
Thanks for the information.  I will contact MameMarquees to ask about the dimensions and such.

shardian
Not sure what you are recommending.  Sounds like some type of double-sided tape?  It seems better if the complete bezel artwork was stuck down on the surface rather than only securing parts of the image.

[shardian]

MinWah
Thanks for the information.  I will contact MameMarquees to ask about the dimensions and such.

shardian
Not sure what you are recommending.  Sounds like some type of double-sided tape?  It seems better if the complete bezel artwork was stuck down on the surface rather than only securing parts of the image.

I haven't seen a single bezel that is adhesive vinyl. Yes, it is a double sided tape for photos. It comes in a roll, and each piece is roughly 3/8"x3/8".

That sign material will lay pretty flat, so you only need something to hold it in place on the monitor board.

Personally, I prefer the sandwich method. I sandwiched my Jungle King Bezel between the glass, and a piece of tinted plexi. It looks very nice.

[unclet]

but I am not making a bezel for a video game.  I am using it for a jukebox cabinet and I do not want to use plexiglas to sandwich the bezel.  I think that would make it look too much like a video game.