Anyone know a CHEAP artwork printer?

[AlanS17]

I haven't designed artwork for my machine yet, but I do know that it will be out of my price range. This machine has already costed me $850, and that's alot for a college student with bills and a part time job.

So does anybody know a truly dirt cheap place to print artwork? Local printers want like $10 per square foot. That would make my CP alone $45!!! Maybe I'm shooting too high, but I'd like to get full-sized sideart too - top to bottom.

[TalkingOctopus]

Unfortunately, I don't think you can get it printed for less.  Printing is expensive.  My advice would be to get the cp done, but hold off on the side art -- you can always add it later.

I am a college student too, but I was not on a budget.  I ended up spending a little under $1000 for a 4 player 27" tv arcade built from scratch.

[paigeoliver]

Cover your control panel with black rubber floormat until you can afford an overlay. The stuff is cheap, it looks good, and it really holds up. I have used it on both mame cabinets, and original machines in the past.

[TalkingOctopus]

You can get side art done here for about 60$ http://www.emdkay.net/mame_side_art.html.

I think that is as cheap as it's going to get.  However, the maximum dimensions seem a little small to me.

[AlanS17]

Well I was hoping on full art for each side, but that's not going to happen with Emdkay's size limitations. I suppose I could orer 2 sets and use a full set on each side. Even then, though, it wouldn't be wide enough...

Having paper on the sides of my machine is a bit of a concern,  too. I would be afraid of people damaging it somehow. So far, though, it's my best option...

[SNAAAKE]

VERY bad idea
No seriouslly...it will be like $200 perside from kinkos.
IF you do decide to get it done.Use clear contact paper over the sideart.
 

[AlanS17]

VERY bad idea
No seriouslly...it will be like $200 perside from kinkos.
IF you do decide to get it done.Use clear contact paper over the sideart.
 

Well like I said, local printers aren't much of an option. A friend of mine (a graphic artist) says he's got the hookup down at Kinko's in the sign shop. Maybe I'll see what he can pull off...

[GoldenBear]

Im not sure whats going on with the Kinkos around you guys but the Kinkos by me will print out artwork at $7/SQFT on Vinyl.

Not sure where $200 a side came from but I got a quote from the guy there (haven't gotten it printed yet) for about $217 + Tax for the two sides, Marque, and CP.

Printing on paper costs like $10 or $12 dollars, i don't remember, and the guy said that the quality is the exact same.

Unfortunatly there is no adhesive on the back so you are going to have to use contact paper or some adhesive.

[jakejake28]

a bit off topic, but will vinyl printing wear off after extensive use on a control panel? i just wanna know is if i get this, do i need plexi or lexan, or will it withstand on it's own?

[TrickyFishy]

will vinyl printing wear off after extensive use on a control panel?

I don't know about Kinko's printing process but I'm thinking of going with http://www.onlinesignshop.com with their adhesive vinyl.  It's printed thermally and is supposed to be durable enough to put it on the floor and walk on it.  They also have adhesive vinyl materials that they guarantee for outdoor use 7 to 15 years!

[Nannuu]

My parents own a sign company and use the same Durachrome printer as the onlinesignshop.

Thermal printed vinyl is very durable for sideart.  For your CP have it laminated or cover it with lexan/plexi.

[GoldenBear]

The kinkos in my area uses a giant HP poster printer.  Not sure on specifics but they say it prints paper and vinyl equally as good.

So, that's gonna be my solution  

[TrickyFishy]

My parents own a sign company and use the same Durachrome printer as the onlinesignshop.

Thermal printed vinyl is very durable for sideart.  For your CP have it laminated or cover it with lexan/plexi.

Is your sign shop's prices any cheaper than onlinesignshop?  I would send my business that way if they have the same facilities and materials.

I'm going to be printing sideartx2, front art, control panel, monitor bezel and marquee for the little cab in my signature.  

Sides and front will use the transparent vinyl, control panel and bezel will probably be the back printed (front adhesive) and the marquee will be the translucent.