So, I finished my TS808+ clone. The "+" is because it has some mods including some of the Keeley alterations, plus a centre-off switch for distortion type, and also a switch for the AMZ "Fat bass".
So I need a way to label the various controls and switches. It's in a plastic box, because that's what I had around.
What do people recommend for cost-effective (ie. cheap!) labels whilst not looking too crap?
For my previous build, a Fuzz-Face clone in a painted metal box, I just laser printed some white on black text and cut-and-stuck them onto the case.
Looking for alternatives though.
Comments
I might look for some waterslide transfer paper.
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If you want to apply the labels separately, I'd use something like Bare Metal Film's clear inkjet paper (Bare Metal Film is the name of the company, by the way) or the stuff by Mr Decal Paper (with a name like that, what else was he going to do?). Seal with a couple of coats of Microscale's Liquid Decal Film. Make sure you apply it to a smooth, glossy surface and once dry, spray a coat of clear varnish to seal it in. It is vey thin though, and very easy to stretch. Some practice is definitely recommended!
If if you want to print an entire front panel, I'd use Lazertran's inkjet paper. This stuff is quite a bit thicker than normal decal paper, but is far easier to apply as a large decal, as it doesn't want to stretch and curl up like the BMF/Mr Decal stuff. The Lazertran decal paper will not bleed ink whatsoever, and colour density is better than normal decal paper, but there are a few quirks with it. The decal film is a fairly translucent "eggshell" colour until you seal the ink with a polyurethane lacquer, whereupon it goes clear. I use the cheap, rattlecan yacht varnish you can get on eBay, which works very well.
I said maybe.....
If you'll just be using it in the house and aren't too fussed about longevity then you could just put on a label and leave it.
Acid etching can look good I think (but isn't all that easy to do really well) or laser printed waterslide transfers are easier (if delicate, take care when transferring them and don't overspray when sealing, spray on light coats).
It does work well - I used this on a MkII TB clone I built and it looks good. - will post pics when I am home.
These were all finished with self adhesive inkjet paper - first two are on white paper and the third was on printable gold foil.
I was just thinking of a few little control labels though