Adding Text to ABS Project Boxes

Thread Starter

Thazatoon

Joined Feb 17, 2009
12
Could anyone recommend a good way of getting text onto an ABS project box. I checked out the price of silk screening and it was extortionate compared to the electronics inside the box.

I've scoured half the internet trying to find some kind of transfer, metallic stickers or engraving method but come up zero every time. I really need the final box to look professional as it's on display all of the time, and I can't use laser jet stickers because they will peel too quickly.

Letraset isn't an option because the time taken to add each letter would be prohibitive.

I was wondering if there's any kind of material that you can laser jet and then heat apply, perhaps fix with a sealant of some kind?
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,415
Label makers are a god send. If you have one that will interface to a computer you can even use custom graphics.
 

jpanhalt

Joined Jan 18, 2008
11,087
For ease, low cost, and funtionality, I suggest laser printing on clear label stock, like Avery's. Thermal label printers are nice, but are limited in graphics ability, like making dial markings. They have a nice advantage of being able to print white on clear, though.

In the US, there is a supplier named HPS in Houston, TX. It sells a product called Papilio (Papilio.com). Papilio has a variety of labeling and art supplies that work with inkjet printers, including water-transfer decals, rub-on decals, and polyester films. I don't know if Papilio is international.

John
 

thatoneguy

Joined Feb 19, 2009
6,359
I've had good luck with priming/painting the box white, then printing all the artwork on a trransparency in reverse, which is then glued onto the box. Final coat of Matte clear paint, and a one off looks like it was made in China!
 

Thread Starter

Thazatoon

Joined Feb 17, 2009
12
Thanks all. Been looking at the polyester labels and they are quite expensive at 4 Euros per sheet, but the clear ones look like they may work. I just wonder how adhesive they are. I'll get a sheet and find out.

I need to do about 100 boxes over a period of a month. In reality, I could get away with just dial markings, but it would be nice to put a logo on too.

I came across the decals a few times as mentioned, but is there any spray that will stop them from lifting?

The only thing I can think of that may work is if I were to spray paint over a template directly onto the boxes, but I don't know of any paint that will stick properly to a gloss ABS box. Any suggestions?
 

jpanhalt

Joined Jan 18, 2008
11,087
I came across the decals a few times as mentioned, but is there any spray that will stop them from lifting?

The only thing I can think of that may work is if I were to spray paint over a template directly onto the boxes, but I don't know of any paint that will stick properly to a gloss ABS box. Any suggestions?
Papillo does sell a spray. I don't know how it would work on ABS. Hobbyists who make plastic models also use a decal fix for water-transferred decals. It is basically ether (diethyl ether) with maybe a little nitrocellulose or similar in it. Their substrate is usually polystyrene. Gloss ABS may be a problem.

John
 
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