The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Artwork => Topic started by: LurkingLizard on April 30, 2003, 11:51:30 pm

Title: Mounting control panel artwork
Post by: LurkingLizard on April 30, 2003, 11:51:30 pm
I'm thinking of building an arcade control panel, and I'm wondering about how to put artwork under lexan.  Most of what I've read mentions glues, or adhesive films, etc...

Is it okay to just have it printed on paper, and held in place between the wood and the lexan by the controls, and the bolts holding the lexan to the wood?
Title: Re:Mounting control panel artwork
Post by: SNAAAKE on May 01, 2003, 12:17:59 am
Just use spray adhesive...if you just leave it like that then you will see bubbles.
Home depot carries spray adhesive.. :)
Title: Re:Mounting control panel artwork
Post by: Frostillicus on May 01, 2003, 09:34:32 am
I'm thinking of building an arcade control panel, and I'm wondering about how to put artwork under lexan.  Most of what I've read mentions glues, or adhesive films, etc...

Is it okay to just have it printed on paper, and held in place between the wood and the lexan by the controls, and the bolts holding the lexan to the wood?

The best way IMO is to laminate it and just lay it under the lexan.  The holes for the buttons/joysticks keep it in place.  This will eliminate all bubbles, it's removable, and just looks better than regular paper under lexan.  look at my site for examples.
Title: Re:Mounting control panel artwork
Post by: Smittydc on May 01, 2003, 10:03:23 am
you don't need adhesive -- the buttons will keep it in place just fine.
Depending on the size of your CP, I wouldn't bother with the bolts holding the lexan to the wood either -- they look ugly.

I printed on vinyl at kinkos, no laminate, and no bubbles.  

Title: Re:Mounting control panel artwork
Post by: mahuti on May 01, 2003, 02:09:12 pm
Many original control panels would use vinyl and then staple it to the back of the control panel.
Title: Re:Mounting control panel artwork
Post by: LurkingLizard on May 01, 2003, 09:54:48 pm
Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll go with the laminated print or vinyl, since I may want to change the artwork every now and then.  Any pros or cons between the two of those options?

Also...
"Depending on the size of your CP, I wouldn't bother with the bolts holding the lexan to the wood..."
I'm actually planning on making 2 single player panels, so they'd be small(probably 16"x10"), with most of the controls based around the center, rather than at the left & right ends of the board, if that matters.