What is the surface of control panels not covered by plexi?

[traycerb]

I'm building a stand-alone console joystick (x360/MAME) for Street Fighter, and one of the preferences I had during my arcade days is for the feel of control panels not covered by plexi.  Specifically I'm thinking about SF2:CE+T, SFA1+2, Vampire Hunter, etc.., which on occasion I could find without the plexi.  I'm trying to replicate that feel for my build.

What was that surface?  It reminds me of laminate (Formica, Wilsonart, etc) for counter-tops.  Is that all it is?  How did they get graphics/art on it (while managing to preserve its feel)?  Was that just a control panel overlay (CPO)?  I'm indifferent to the graphics themselves, but I'd really like to replicate the feel.

[RayB]

It's just textured printed vinyl-like material (self-adhesive). If you have a service like Mame Marquees print out your art, that's the type of material you'll get.

[traycerb]

Thanks for the reply.  Checked out their site and found what I was after: sf2:CE.  http://www.mamemarquees.com/streetfighter-champion-edition-p-1069.html

One thing I did notice on their website:

Our Control Panel overlays are covered with Polycarbinate laminate (also used for bullet proof glass!) which offers a very tough, scratch resistant and textured surfaces. This will last a long time and take a lot of abuse. Do not settle for vinyl laminate!

They specifically disavow the use of vinyl.  Which was used in the real arcades?  I'm pretty careful with my stuff so I don't think I need "bullet-proof" level toughness.

Also: dang.  expensive.  I may check out a local sign-printing shop first.  The stuff that MameMarquees sends out, is it stiff (like wood) or flexible (like paper)?

[scottp]

If you would like it covered in a textured vinyl instead of polycarbonate, that can be requested.  It won't last as long, or be as tough.  The CPOs are a flexible material.  There are some tutorials and videos on my front page, you can see what you would have to work with.

If your looking for cheap though, I am not the place to go, sorry...  all the materials I use are top quality and very expensive for me, from the vinyl to the polycarbonate, to the printers and the ink. (ink alone for one of my printers is over $3300 to purchase all the cartridges)

Scott

[traycerb]

thanks for the "official" response.    searched MameMarquees on the shoryuken forums and they had nothing but good things to say, and everyone who ordered felt the cost was entirely justified.

I'll probably end up going with you guys, but it's just one more thing that puts me way over budget, heh heh. 

[RayB]

Sorry, I meant to say "vinyl-like".