Laminate and overlays question for my control panel

[HeavyK]

Y'all

  I just want to make sure I figured this out, but it hit me a few days ago.  I was always questioning how in the world did people get their buttons to line up with the overlays that had specific places for them.  Then it hit me, they must put the overlay down then drill the holes!!!  Am I correct in this assumption?  Also if I was just going to use black laminate for my control panel do I just put it on the control panel then drill my holes?  When you buy a CPO from mame marquee do they offer the plexiglass for the CPO or is it even needed?  Thanks in advance

[severdhed]

i have not personally used a printed overlay, but i believe most people use the overrlay as a template and mark the hole centers with a punch or nail, the remove the overlay and then drill.  drilling through the overlay will likely cause it to tear.  if you are going with a solid black overlay, drill holes and then apply iy, then trim the holes with a razor knife.  i like to keep mine simple, so i covered my panel with plexiglass.  i spray painted the back side of the plexi black, for a nice glossy black finish

[Hitek]

Exactly as Severedhed said, lay the CPO on the CP and use a hammer and punch to mark the center of the holes. It really helps if you mark the centers of the holes with small crosshairs on your CPO before printing since they will get cut out anyway.

[BASS!]

I make a pdf first with just the layout of the buttons and then take it to kinkos where they give me a full size print. Then you can use and abuse that, and not risk your $100 print from mamemarques.