What is the quality of ClassicArcadeGrafix.com artwork?

[Lutus]

Like the title says...

What is the quality of ClassicArcadeGrafix.com artwork?

Thanks to anyone who knows.

[melarky]

I should have probably asked this as well before I made my order a few days ago.  I have searched on these forums and I have seen both positive and negative reviews for them.  I didn't seem to get a more negative than positive vibe though, and the only people that had something negative to say were people that had also gotten items printed from mamemarquees etc... (so it was usually comparitively negative, but the people that used only cag seemed to be happy).

[leapinlew]

I've used Classicarcadegrafix 1 time. The package was crushed when they shipped it to me. Other people reported similar issues. To CAG credit they shipped out another CP and while the package didn't show up crushed, it must've been pressed or something because the artwork showed up creased. Fortunately the part that was creased wasn't going to be used and I trimmed it off.

I wouldn't order from them again because their shipping is messed up or something.

[jhanson]

I've used both Mamemarquees and Classicarcadegrafix.  They seemed about the same to me.  I had no problems with either, and both items looked exactly how I was expecting.  I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[digitalmonkeyman]

The company I work for actually does work with a printing company, and I just had my "Multi-Pac" side art printed on clear vinyl from them.  They did an outstanding job!  The finished image is 39" x 16".  I had a real tough time finding someone who does the clear vinyl, and then I looked where I least expected it!  The lead time was horrific, 6 weeks, and it was definitely not cheap, but I am absolutely thrilled with the results.  I have pics of the finished product posted on the my website.

I decided to go this route, because of the neutral reviews I saw here of ClassicArcadeGrafix.  I just did not want to take a chance.  My Opinion Only.

[BamBam]

Mamemarquees was excellent and Scott was great at helping me upload my massive file.
I plan to use his service again.

John

[melarky]

I just got my sideart from classicarcadegpraphix, and all I can say is WOW.  It is incredible!  I had some fears that it was going to basically be a flimsy piece of contact paper or something (like what you get at kinkos), but it is gorgeous, and it looks very durable (only time will tell).  It is on nice thick vynil (adhesive backed), and it is just amazing looking.

I can't speak for their other printing (I've only got the side art from them), but I am super impressed and plan on using them for other projects now for sure.  I am blown away at how good this looks (all of my other projects in the past, I just used Kinkos, so that is all I can compare it to, and it's just incredible how much nicer CAG is, you really have to see and FEEL them in person).

[Aurich]

I'll be using MAMEMarquees for my upcoming project, because after my marquee experience from my first cab with CAG I don't think I'm interested in using them again. Serious washout of the artwork when backlit, I was not impressed. This was early 2004 though, so I can't say if the printing has improved any since then.

[prOk]

The primary problem with all the inkjetters is that their art will degrade over time and if they are printing a 'reproduction' rather than a custom design you will notice severe color matching issues.. Add to that, no die cutting and usually cheap grade materials and you can assume low quality stuff.

For many, this meets the needs.. but i'd never even consider this stuff for a project i'm restoring.

[SlammedNiss]

I just bought a new wide-format digital printer for my company. I wouldn't mind printing out some side-artwork for a few people cheaply to get my name out there. I am able to print up to 30" in width on white vinyl, with a contour cut around the edges.

PM me if you're interested. I can provide ref's via ebay if you'd like.

[prOk]

What kind of printer is it?  Eco Solvent?  a roland would be my guess ??

[SlammedNiss]

yes, it is a eco-solvent printer. It's a PrismJet Extra though, not a Roland.

Are these good for printing sideart? Although weve been in the sign business for 4+ years now, we just recently started printing. Just trying to find ways to expand what can we offer.

 

[Lutus]

Do you have a website?  It would be tough to "get your name out there" without one.  Just a friendly suggestion.   

[prOk]

yes, it is a eco-solvent printer. It's a PrismJet Extra though, not a Roland.

Are these good for printing sideart? Although weve been in the sign business for 4+ years now, we just recently started printing. Just trying to find ways to expand what can we offer.

 

Eco solvent is the way to go for reproducing sideart.. as i'm sure you already know, ECO inks sit on top of the substrate while true solvents eat into it.. thus you get a much sharper/brighter image with Eco..  THe downside is the durability of Eco inks unless you laminate.   Lamination however, gives you an unoriginal sheen/feel to the art.   I've had good luck with unlaminated holding up fine, just don't go scrubbing it with a scotchbrite.

With printing, the best thing you can do is get the color matching process down..

[SlammedNiss]

Do you have a website?  It would be tough to "get your name out there" without one.  Just a friendly suggestion.   

well, with just being a small-town sign company, we have a domain, but nothing but a placeholder on our website.

Eco solvent is the way to go for reproducing sideart.. as i'm sure you already know, ECO inks sit on top of the substrate while true solvents eat into it.. thus you get a much sharper/brighter image with Eco..  THe downside is the durability of Eco inks unless you laminate.   Lamination however, gives you an unoriginal sheen/feel to the art.   I've had good luck with unlaminated holding up fine, just don't go scrubbing it with a scotchbrite.

With printing, the best thing you can do is get the color matching process down..

Well, the company we purchased the equipment from said that the warranty on non-laminated material is 3 years outdoors. Obviously, most acrade owners keep their machines inside, so I'm sure they should last much longer than 3 years. As far as color matching is concerned, we also bought a Pantone color chart for matching colors, so that shouldnt be any problems.

[prOk]

Gotta be careful tho.. the ecosolvent stuff will last for 3 years outdoors as long as you don't touch it.. print something, you'll see.. you can run water on it all day, but if you take a fingernail to it off it comes quickly

I assume you got the printer from Signwarehouse as it's their 'in house' brand.. were you able to negotiate price with them?

[WunderCade]

SlammedNiss

Let us know when you find www.localarcade.com and download some of the high-res. artwork from there for printing. Alot of people in here need a service like you're willing to provide for art such as MS. Pac-man sideart, etc. I'm sure, once your service is verified as reliable, you'll get alot of business from the arcade restoration community and this board.

You may want to print out an example and post it here so people can see the product they could expect to receive if they do business with you. Just a suggestion.

[Lutus]

Agreed, a sample would boost your business.

[SlammedNiss]

SlammedNiss

Let us know when you find www.localarcade.com and download some of the high-res. artwork from there for printing. Alot of people in here need a service like you're willing to provide for art such as MS. Pac-man sideart, etc. I'm sure, once your service is verified as reliable, you'll get alot of business from the arcade restoration community and this board.

You may want to print out an example and post it here so people can see the product they could expect to receive if they do business with you. Just a suggestion.

will do. We need to upgrade the PC first. Although I don't understand why a p4 2.0Ghz machine lags so bad with the new version of FlexiSign that came with the equipment. It worked fine with LXi we previously had installed.

I actually was able to print out the Crystal Castles sideart, and most the image was good, except around one of the ghosts was a yellow shaded box.  Anybody know what would cause this? I assume it's witihn the file, as the rest of the image printed out looks great. I exported the file as a .jpg, but forgot to upload it to my server before I left work today. I'll try and get it uploaded in the next day or 2 so you all can see what I'm talking about.

Please remember, we're new to the whole printing thing, so no flaming please. 

[prOk]

If you want to print high quality art and such, you need to print directly out of  a vectoring tool like Illustrator.. converting to jpg etc is bad news.

[SlammedNiss]

If you want to print high quality art and such, you need to print directly out of  a vectoring tool like Illustrator.. converting to jpg etc is bad news.

I did print directly out of the .ai file I got from the site listed above. We always print out of vector/line art. I only exported as a jpeg to show what I was referring to.

[SlammedNiss]

Well, here is the file after I exported it from Flexi sign program. Notice the 2 ghosts, one has a complete yellow box around him, the other just yellow "clutter".

I haven't tried any other sideart yet, just been too busy.

http://www.members.cox.net/brandon.hildebrand/crystal-castles.jpg

[WunderCade]

Hey Slammed...

Any idea on how much you'd charge for a typical set of printed self-adhesive vinyl sideart?...are you still perfecting the process?

Let us know when you're ready to entertain your first order.

[SlammedNiss]

I actually downloaded the Galaga sideart, and printed it with no problems what-so-ever. So, I'm beginning to think the problem with the Crystal Castles sideart was with the file itself. Odd, but oh well. I'd be willing to send the print of Galaga out to somebody (like a mod) so they can see it for themselves.

Price-wise just depends on the size. As stated before, I can print up to about 28-29 inches across if you wanted it contour cut, or up to 30-31 without a contour cut.

[WunderCade]

Also, perhaps you take a pic of it and post it here. I think you'd get some instant feedback.

[SlammedNiss]

I will take the camera to work tomorrow and snap a photo of it.

[koolmoecraig]

Mamemarquees.com is in a different league from CAG.   Classicarcadegrafix sent me some of the worst quality art that I have ever seen.

[Ninten-doh]

Just thought I would close out the thread...ClassicArcadeGrafix is no longer selling printed artwork.  You can buy the digital images to print yourself though.  Should of bought that Star Wars yoke sticker when I had the chance!