CP Overlay art Question -- buttons ruining picture!?

[Dr. J]

Hey,
  I've seen others ask this before, but I haven't seen an answer yet.  Several people who have used glossy paper have complained of it appearing to stick to the plexi overlay surrounding the buttons (where there's a lot of pressure).  I think I heard someone using vinyl mention that theirs did that too.  Right now I've just got paint under there (which was completely dry) but the pressure flattened it against the plexi so it looks "wet" and shiny just around the buttons.

  Anyway, I'm getting ready to print my new cp overlay, and was hoping people could post their experience with different print jobs.  Anyone elses doing this?  Anyones' not?  Thanks    --Jay


edited:  I'll get a good pic of my cp to show what I mean in a day or two.

[SNAAAKE]

Hey,
  I've seen others ask this before, but I haven't seen an answer yet.  Several people who have used glossy paper have complained of it appearing to stick to the plexi overlay surrounding the buttons (where there's a lot of pressure).  I think I heard someone using vinyl mention that theirs did that too.  Right now I've just got paint under there (which was completely dry) but the pressure flattened it against the plexi so it looks "wet" and shiny just around the buttons.

  Anyway, I'm getting ready to print my new cp overlay, and was hoping people could post their experience with different print jobs.  Anyone elses doing this?  Anyones' not?  Thanks    --Jay

I used both glossy photo paper and vinyl and nothing sticks or anything..although I REALLY like vinyl.Thats my experience(since you asked).

I dont think there is such problem..

[rampy]

Hey,
  I've seen others ask this before, but I haven't seen an answer yet.  Several people who have used glossy paper have complained of it appearing to stick to the plexi overlay surrounding the buttons (where there's a lot of pressure).  I think I heard someone using vinyl mention that theirs did that too.  Right now I've just got paint under there (which was completely dry) but the pressure flattened it against the plexi so it looks "wet" and shiny just around the buttons.

  Anyway, I'm getting ready to print my new cp overlay, and was hoping people could post their experience with different print jobs.  Anyone elses doing this?  Anyones' not?  Thanks    --Jay


edited:  I'll get a good pic of my cp to show what I mean in a day or two.

please post the pic.. but I think I know what you are talking about... I've read somewhere (don't recall where) that they used some sort of matte below the overlay... like a sheet of white paper or something... just to provide separation...  *shrug*

post a pic in case it's something else...  (like an ill fitting overlay or lexan or something...)
rampy

[ITrek]

Have the printer laminate your overlay.  I used 3 mil lexan laminate on each side of my overlay.  It doesn't stick to anything and also protects your overlay from moisture that might make the ink run.  It only cost me something like $3 extra.

[Chris]

I used a color laser printer on plain paper, and the results looked great with no sticking... the plexi imparts plenty of gloss without having to use glossy paper.

--Chris

[DeathMonk]

I had my CP overlay printed to size at kinko's on their standard roll feed poster paper..  It was pretty heavy.. can't remember what weight.  

I finished it off with lexan.  I am not experiencing the problem you described.

[Dr. J]

Here are some pics of what I'm talking about.  It is Not moisture, and the paint was completely dry after several weeks.  The pressure just compresses the plexi against the cp and makes these rings.  Somewhere I read that this happened with someone's printed overlay.  I'm about to print and want to make sure I do it on material that won't do this.

[Smittydc]

Sure looks like moisture to me, but it might just be due to over-tightening of the buttons... they just need to be firm, not super-tight.

For what its worth. I printed on vinyl at Kinko's and have experienced nothing like this.

[Dr. J]

I promise it's not moisture.  I took it off and checked.  That is exactly what it looks like though.  

I think you're right about over tightening the buttons.  They are on there with all my might.  

Thanks for all the responses.  I'll be printing on vinyl and I won't tighten the buttons so much.  --Jay

[Gopherboy]

Jay,


Yeah - I realise what you're saying and it is not moisture or anything like that. (Well, not that I know of...)

It is the same thing that happens when you put a cover over your mobile (cellular) phone. The middle of the screen will usually look like that. this is because it is in direct contact with the plastic cover whereas at edges aren't. (due to the rim around the lcd). I have a colour screen phone and it is only really visible when the screen is black and not back-lit. (i.e. - it's 'screen-saver'.)

When it is in colour (even when the screen is dimmed - i.e not backlit,) it does not happen. It is visible, but only just and viewed at the right angle.

*Perhaps* another colour, other than black would reduce this effect.

Of course, the problem also stems from the lexan being warped. It is obviously not sitting on your panel entirely flat. If the bolts holding the lexan on are not as tight as the buttons and/or joystick, then this is likely to happen. As mentioned, there is no need to have the buttons too tight. I think this will be the best solution.

Perhaps you need more bolts holding in the lexan. If there is just one in each corner, a few across the top and bottom may solve your problem.

The lexan will stick to any nice smooth surface. In the case of my phone - this means the screen. (even though the cover is obviously not lexan.) That is another thing to think about - if both the Lexan and the surface below it were pefectly flat and uniformly smooth, then this would not occur. It would  be (depending on the smoothness,) either all like that or all like the rest of your panel.

Because lexan is rather flexible, it is bending in this case. Thicker lexan would not do this as much.


Well, not being two cents so much as several dollars, I will leave my opinions with you to think about.


gb.

[SNAAAKE]

well dude,this kind of thing is NOT gonna happen if you use artwork..like any kind of paper..i am pretty sure NOTHING like this atleast..

I know paint sticks because my first artwork joystick was like this..kinkos printed the artwork wrong size so i had to paint the border and i know how it goes..just make sure you prints it right size and everything will be fine .

So post a picture when you are done with the panel..cant wait to see the artwork(got the .JPG handy btw?)

[1UP]

 Another problem with painting -- paint takes time to completely cure.  The can will usually specify curing time in hours, but it can take days or weeks before it's really "tack-free".

Vinyl also likes to cling to things, it's the "color-forms" effect.  (Remember Color-Forms?   )  Window clings are made of the same stuff, making them magically stick to any smooth, glossy surface without adhesive.  I would suggest that when you have artwork printed, use their regular hi-res paper rather than vinyl if you're planning on covering it with Lexan.

[Carsten Carlos]

well dude,this kind of thing is NOT gonna happen if you use artwork

Nope - I have the same effect with glossy paper & lexan. Though it doesn't look that much disturbing as it did on yor painted controlpanel.

I can live with it for now, so I didn't made further investigations how to solve this.

The problem should only occure with glossypaper, but I haven't tried out yet how normal thick paper would look under the lexan. Laminating might help, but I wanted to have my artwork without edges from the lamination - at least the laminate I tried won't hold to long if I don't let it overlap the edges at least 1/8".

[Elkor]

print it on matte paper....  

since the lexan covers it anyway and you won't have this problem...

[Luxury]

i just finished up my cp and i have the same problem.  i have lexan on top of laminated high-gloss paper.  so it does happen to laminated paper as well.  i guess vinyl is the only way to go then?

[Wienerdog]

It seems like if we think about what is happening, you can come up with a solution.

It looks wet when there is no space or air between the two surfaces.  When you paint, or use glossy paper, you have a super smooth surface.  When you pull the plexi down by tightening the buttons really tight, the two surfaces appear wet.

Perhaps this is why vinyl, matte finish, and regular paper have less of a tendancy to do this.

Maybe what I have said makes no sense, so please correct me if I am wrong.

[anthony691]

Glossy photo paper, no probs here!

[Frostillicus]

I just had 3 CP overlays printed on regular matte paper and laminated them, each one covered with 1/8"lexan.  No problems like your pics up top, Dr.J.

I recommend that route vs. anything else.  The lamination really brings out the color and protects against UV light.

[Amra]

a very very light coat of clear spray paint (preferably laquer as it dries much faster then enamel) will also fix that problem, if you do this, spray it like your not even spraying at the paper, and let the 'dust' land on the paper.  When the paper is slightly rough to the touch, then you will no longer have a problem.  Ive done this several times, so I know it works, but do it at your own risk, as Ive not tried every time of paper in the world and all.

[jdjuggler]

Frostillicus:
What did you use to laminate your overlay?  Did your print shop do this?
Thanks,
JD

[SNAAAKE]

Frostillicus:
What did you use to laminate your overlay?  Did your print shop do this?
Thanks,
JD

normally yeah.
Kinkos will do it for you.Little bit more money but be extra safe..
Even little scratch is annoying so I suggest you DO laminate your overlay..