labels on a custom pedal - how?

[tone4days]

ok, so i just had chris at pedalboard junction build me a killer custom switcher router pedal ... (pics to come this weekend)

it has 2 ins, 2 outs, and 3 stomp switches w/ leds

but no labels as to which is which (chris provided an excellent drawing to le tme know what goes where)

now, i am sure most guys would be able to memorize it and be done with it ... but being a bear of very little brain, i need labels to know which cable to plug in to which jack .... i can probably memorize the foot switches, but labels there would be nice too

is there a reasonably idiot proof way that i can make good looking, long lasting labels ... i dont want to 'just use a sharpie' and ruin the clean look of this pedal if i can help it

thanks for any advice

t4d

 

[Rich_S]

Re: labels on a custom pedal - how?

In the past, I have used dry-transfer letters. Waterslide decals are another possbility. Testor's (the model-paint people) sell a kit of decal paper and software for printing them on a computer.

I'm working on a little addition to me pedalboard right now that will use a small engraved plastic plate to label my tuner pushbutton and two status LEDs. The trick is getting the engraved text to line up with the existing holes. I provide the engraver a CAD file to make sure the plate gets engraved right, but I generally drill the holes in the chassis/box after the plate is in place, using cross-hairs that engraved in the plate to guide me.

Pricing for engraved plates is all over the place. I found a local shop that does it for me cheap, since my company buys a lot of stuff from them. The caveat is that I provide the a CAD file that will run their engraver directly without a lot of re-drawing by their graphic artists. Small pedal-size plates can be a little as $4-$5.

 

[tone4days]

Re: labels on a custom pedal - how?

thanks rich

do dry transfers wear off over time?

any way to 'seal' the labels?

the CAD thing is outta my league

t4d

 

[Rich_S]

Re: labels on a custom pedal - how?

For decals and dry lettering, you need to spray over them with some sort of clear that's compatible with the paint on the box.

If you want to go the engraved-plastic route, post a pic of the box. With a photo and a bit of careful measuring, I could hook you up with the CAD file or the finished nameplates.

I recently replaced the Home-Depot-plexi-over-printer-paper faceplates on my DIY amp with engraved stuff from these folks. It looks like a real amp now.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: labels on a custom pedal - how?

I've used printer sheets called "bumper sticker" material. I just printed out on this, including shading and toning the background, then lacquered over it (before peeling and sticking) just for safety's sake. It looks pretty good, and it sticks well too. You can always use a Brother P-Touch-style labeler too.

 

[tone4days]

Re: labels on a custom pedal - how?

thanks guys

will let you know what i come up with

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: labels on a custom pedal - how?

waterslide decals same as used on guitar headstocks for brand logos. you can get the decal paper online from various places. make your logo on the computer, print it on the decal paper, spray that with some clear krylon so the ink won't run when wet, cut them out, wet them, put them on the enclosue, make sure to get all the bubbles out and make sure they are dry, then spray the whole thing with the same clear krylon to seal them in.

-Mike

 

[tone4days]

Re: labels on a custom pedal - how?

thanks for the tip mike ... gotta find that paper