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Author Topic: Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review  (Read 3603 times)

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KevSteele

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Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« on: May 31, 2003, 10:57:41 pm »
I just finished writing my review of Tom B (MAMEngineer)'s marquee and bezel printing services.

It's been a bit of a bumpy road in getting it printed, but I've finally got my MAMEframe marquee and bezel, and they're installed and glowing (well, the marquee as least ;-)



Tom offers a nice "at-cost" service, and if you're looking for a way to get some custom artwork printed for your MAME cab, check him out.

Full details and review on my site:
http://users.adelphia.net/~kevsteele/mame/index.html

Kevin
Kevin Steele, Former Editor and Publisher of RetroBlast! and GameRoom Magazine

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2003, 11:22:39 pm »
I would suggest you replace that backlighting from a regular white Flourescent bulb to a $10.00 18" flourescent blacklight.

It wont punch nearly as much "white light" through,a nd considering your colors ought to make the whole thing look that much more 'dramatic' :)

Good luck!
".....its like a Koala crapped a rainbow in my brain!"

KevSteele

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2003, 08:47:23 am »
I've actually got an 18" black light bulb sitting around in the shop -- I'll give that a try. (I'd forgotten I had it -- thanks for reminding me  :) )

Kevin
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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2003, 03:35:05 pm »
No video preview with Dead or Alive playing in the background??!?  ;)

This is good info, so thanks, Kev!

RandyT

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2003, 05:51:55 pm »
I've actually got an 18" black light bulb sitting around in the shop -- I'll give that a try. (I'd forgotten I had it -- thanks for reminding me  :) )

Acckkkk!  You'd be better off forgetting it again :)

A black light produces UV light, the arch-rival of printing inks everywhere.  Most go through great lengths to avoid exposure to UV to prevent fading and color shift!

I cringe every time I see someone talk about doing this :)

RandyT

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2003, 06:01:33 pm »
you just need a smoked plexi filter

RandyT

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2003, 06:09:41 pm »
you just need a smoked plexi filter

If the blacklight is being used to give things that "glowing effect", the smoked plexi won't be the solution.  

UV light is the reason things fluoresce, therefore if it glows, it's getting dosed with UV.  If you filter it, stuff won't glow, so what would be the point?

Apologies in advance if I'm missing something obvious here :).

RandyT

KevSteele

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2003, 08:07:30 pm »
No video preview with Dead or Alive playing in the background??!?  ;)

Only if you know of a Dead or Alive song that's appropriate for a marquee review!  ;)

This review just didn't scream out for a video...plus I'm a bit cramped on web space (I need a new hosting plan that gives me a bit more breathing room!)

I've got a few other reviews in the works that may need some video, and I'm looking for a reasonable (read: cheap) web hosting plan that gives me some more space. Once I find it, watch out, I may just release "Spinner Roundup: The Director's Cut"  ;D

Kevin
Kevin Steele, Former Editor and Publisher of RetroBlast! and GameRoom Magazine

KevSteele

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2003, 09:08:07 pm »
Well, I tried the black light -- it's a bit too black, as in too dim. I was surprised, but I guess it's for the best (thanks for the warning about UV, Randy!)

Kevin
Kevin Steele, Former Editor and Publisher of RetroBlast! and GameRoom Magazine

KevSteele

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2003, 04:02:10 pm »
If anyone's curious what the blacklight looked like with my marquee, I've updated my review with pics of the "experiment":

http://users.adelphia.net/~kevsteele/mame/index.html

While I was at it, I added some more pics of the marquees, before and after installation.

Nothing major, but the photo does vividly show why a blacklight is not the answer in this situation!  :P
Kevin Steele, Former Editor and Publisher of RetroBlast! and GameRoom Magazine

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2003, 04:08:57 pm »
This review just didn't scream out for a video...plus I'm a bit cramped on web space (I need a new hosting plan that gives me a bit more breathing room!)

Do what I did.  I note you're on Adelphia, so run a server from your home.

KevSteele

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Re:Bezel and Marquee Printing Service Review
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2003, 04:31:59 pm »
Do what I did.  I note you're on Adelphia, so run a server from your home.

Heh. I could do that. Then again, I'm a bit leery of doing so since it violates the Adelphia terms of service, and I've seen them probing around my firewall before, checking to see if a web server is running. Call me paranoid, but I just don't feel comfortable enough to do that.

If I want to do it right, I want the full package - my own URL, CGI, email addys, the works. I just don't want to pay a lot for that muffler, as the saying goes.  :P

Kevin
Kevin Steele, Former Editor and Publisher of RetroBlast! and GameRoom Magazine