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Can someone make insert decals?

David_Vi

David_Vi

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5Years
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Sep 3, 2019
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Sudbury
Say you had a few insert decals worn but the rest are ok. A whole decal sheet for that pin is rather expensive.

Is there a way to get the inserts you'd like?

Can they be made?
 
How is the question...is it easy for a novice?
Worth the money saved from buying a whole set?
 
Ahh cool, so maybe a cricut machine to cut out, I imagine it's a madness inducing prospect with a craft knife.

Looks like some guy on ebay in the states prints on mylar and cuts using a vinyl cutter for £40a set.
 

TFTC / Playfield Inserts Repair - Picture Heavy - Part 1!

TFTC / Playfield Inserts Repair So this isn’t a resto thread on my TFTC but as other people out there have similar problems I thought I’d post some pictures. My TFTC which I don’t regret buying, (well that’s a lie, it has been a bit of a PITA sometimes) it was always going to be considered a...
www.pinballinfo.com www.pinballinfo.com
Like these?
 
Ashbo said:
Ahh cool, so maybe a cricut machine to cut out, I imagine it's a madness inducing prospect with a craft knife.

Looks like some guy on ebay in the states prints on mylar and cuts using a vinyl cutter for £40a set.
Click to expand...
I always wondered if there is an issue with the height of the new insert decal, if it's on mylar, and how you get it level if you clearcoat over it.
 
Andy_B said:
I always wondered if there is an issue with the height of the new insert decal, if it's on mylar, and how you get it level if you clearcoat over it.
Click to expand...
It's not an issue. 1 coat will seal it, you don't need to go mad. It's less than the transition from mylar protection to no protection. If you let a ball roll over a mylar area and then to no protection the ball isn't affected at all, well not in my experience.
 
So I'd have to somehow make the inserts on pc? Then print, apply and just plop some mylar over it?

its the creation part I'll struggle with.
 
David_Vi said:
Is there a way to get the inserts you'd like?
Can they be made?
Click to expand...
Anything can be made, we're awesome here! Are you reproducing existing artwork or something from scratch?

A - Create the artwork on whatever format in whatever software. (I use OSX & Photoshop/Illustrator) for example.
B - Test print to cheap regular paper, scale it up or down until correct. This can take a while!
C - Order the printable decal paper.
D - Get all your insert decals to take up as little as space as possible on a sheet of A4 (might as well save what you can)
E - Print in black on decal paper ideally in quality settings.
F - Seal / lacquer the inkjet print with whatever. Aerosol or paint gun lacquer.
G - Trim & apply.

It is time consuming but it is just practice. My above link to my TFTC inserts shows you all the steps I think.
 
Dex-Jay said:
Anything can be made, we're awesome here! Are you reproducing existing artwork or something from scratch?

A - Create the artwork on whatever format in whatever software. (I use OSX & Photoshop/Illustrator) for example.
B - Test print to cheap regular paper, scale it up or down until correct. This can take a while!
C - Order the printable decal paper.
D - Get all your insert decals to take up as little as space as possible on a sheet of A4 (might as well save what you can)
E - Print in black on decal paper ideally in quality settings.
F - Seal / lacquer the inkjet print with whatever. Aerosol or paint gun lacquer.
G - Trim & apply.

It is time consuming but it is just practice. My above link to my TFTC inserts shows you all the steps I think.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Dex-Jay - inspirational :) 👍👍👍 I'm actually going to give this a go. My Time Machine has been irritating me and my new bk2k needs a little tweak...that's weekends over spring sorted ;)
 
Good man, give it a go! If doesn't really need repair, leave it alone or try just one.
If it turns out easier than you thought then keep going. Art, print and lacquer wise it's as easy to do all in 1 go than go to the trouble of printing just one, if you know what I mean.

Oh, and make sure you get rid of all dirt, residue and adhesive before you apply the new insert. IPA to de-gum the insert, Novus to polish the plastic, getting rid of all scratches and marks. Only then apply new the decal. I know all of the above is common sense but I better mention it! :)
 
Defo possible, but it is a lot of effort in my experience. Personally, I'd say if you can buy for £40 per @Ashbo's reply, do that for sure.

I even managed to create some using printed white ink for TOTAN once, which (at the time, not sure about now) involved creating multiple art files on PC - one file for printed white elements (which had to be negatives in the file, so actually black on screen), and another for other coloured elements (black commonly I guess - also needed to be black in that file o_O) if I remember rightly. Then using a company that specialised in printing custom water-slide decals for model railway fans. Such a headache of a process...
 
Please can I be super cheeky and ask if anyone could print 1 small clear decal for me ? The cheapest online I can find is £9 once, tax and p&p has been added.
I will obviously reimburse material costs and postage.

decal_sun_mop.png
The wording doesn't need to be red, I would be happy with it in black. The diameter is 62mm + a few mm bleed would be useful.

Thanks in advance.
Crewey, Andy
 
If you don't need it to be transparent, you can get white backed slide decals
 
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