[time-nuts] Labeling project boxes/panels - Front Panel Express

[Jim Lux]

On 1/21/12 6:21 PM, Chris Albertson wrote:
> There is another company that can do good quality work.  BNP Laser,
> does laser engraging.   It is not as nice as the routed paannels but
> they only charge 50 cents per square inch for plastic and a little
> more for aluminum.  You get a very thin engraved sheet that can be
> attached using double sided tape.  They will drill pilot holes.  Drill
> these after attaching with the tape.  Cost for 2x4 inch panel would be
> $4.    The Front Pannel Express panels are much nicer but at 10X the
> cost
>
> Example of the kind of stuff they do:
> http://www.amplates.com/gallery/images/MATTE_ANODIZED.jpg
>
> One experiment I want to do soon is to print out a front panel on
> glossy photo paper cover the photo with some kind of glue and laminate
> it to 1/8th in plexiglas. This would allow a full color panel.    A
> variation is to print on a water slide decal and then transfer the
> decal to the back side of plexiglas.   All the artwork has to be on
> the same decal or you could see the edges.
>

you can also get a self adhesive polycarbonate film that you stick to 
the printed page, then there's another thin double stick film you put on 
the back of the paper, and then stick it to the chassis.