I have a few hobby project cases to make, but I have yet to learn how to provide neat labels for switches, dials and LEDs.

I was very interested in the mention of Bill's Label Maker in post #2 here:

Homebrew Function Generator

What label maker can I buy in UK Please?

I would hope to get something worthwhile for maybe £50, to £120 - or up to £200 if it is something amazing.

Ideally the labels would look pretty and be easy to make. I would guess that I might need PC connection to make graphics possible?

Google finds methods for creating one big laser-printed label for a whole front panel, but this looks like a fiddly way to do it.

How do others provide neat appearance to their home-made project boxes please?

 

I draw it up in a graphics program, and submit it to a local Lamacoid engraver, for reverse engraving, you can pick just about any colour for the legends etc.
Max.

 

They can be had for under $100 at almost any office supply, usually for less. As with printers the money is in the cartridges that feed them.

I would look for one with a USB input, so you can program some custom graphics. I don't have one, but would like to. They would be handy for things like triangle waves, square waves, sine waves, Ω, and what not.

 

Hi Bill,

I vaguely remembered you describing your label printer (CriCut?) , but couldn't find it in a search. Did you ever describe it here?

John

 

The one I'm currently using is a 20 year Brother that is both AC/DC powered (wall wart). Over the years I've found loads of cartridges for it at flea markets, so I'm not getting rid of it anytime soon. The modern ones are much more capable, but even a crude one is very useful IMO. A hobbiest must.

Look at the various projects I've released on the Completed Projects forum if you want an idea what the final result looks like.

As for project boxes, those same flea markets have given me a glut. Nowadays I use a 3D printer, which makes the case with holes already in place (no drilling). On future releases in the Completed Projects forum I will include the plans. Sketchup is my current model program, but it has bugs. They show up badly if you try to put text into the model for example, so the labeler still has uses.

 

@MaxHeadRoom - Nice idea - I will give that a try for the odd project that I am especially proud of. - Certainly gives very nice appearance.

@Bill_Marsden - This sounds more practical for the more every-day projects, but I am unsure of what kind of maker you mean. - something like one of these?

http://www.staples.co.uk/label-make...0666&Effort_Code=WW&Find_Number=421749&cm_sp=

http://www.staples.co.uk/plug-n-pla...0666&Effort_Code=WW&Find_Number=408820&cm_sp=

Many thanks to both of you for the ideas.

 

I also use a Brother with the thin tape. My faulty memory. I thought you were using a CriCut for stencils. I have an ancient Roland stencil cutter (Dr. STIKA) and have used it for labels (cut the labels, strip it to get a negative, spray paint, remove stencil), but it doesn't go very small.

John

 

Close enough, but don't limit yourself. There are huge makes and models out there. Like I said, the cartridge is probably more important. I have black on clear (the dominant tape), gold on clear, gold on black, blue on clear, etc.

I use scissors to cut them down to size, and a xacto knife to peel them from their backing. Tweezers to place them, and they usually look really good.

 

Brother with thin tape sounds like the way to go. Thin black on clear tape presumably.

I just wish there was something just a tiny bit neater, but still easy to use. But I guess there is no point wishing for what doesn't exist

I will think some more....

Many thanks

 

Black on clear, water-transfer decals can be treated with a diethyl ether ("ether") solution to make the edges disappears. That method was used more than 30 years ago for making decals look like they were "painted on" models. I believe Papilo is still selling something similar (http://www.papilio.com/laser water slide decal paper original pas.html). Papilo probably sells the clearing agent too. Many motor starting fluids are mostly ether in a propellant. Ether has a very characteristic smell and is relatively non-toxic.* A little experimentation might get you a good result.

John

*Shortly after ether was discovered, it was used recreationally as a substitute for ethanol. It's main advantage was you could get drunk at noon and be sober by 1:00 PM. There were even legal bars that sold drinks made with it. Starting fluid, while containing ether, also contains denaturants, such as isopropyl alcohol. DO NOT experiment with it as an intoxicant.

 

Front Panel Express is suggested in this post.

 

I use a Brother P-Touch label maker.

 

Thanks Guys,

Lots of great ideas in one thread. I am feeling much better informed.

I think I will buy a label maker and black-on-clear labels for the day-to-day projects...
Papilo water-slide paper looks interesting - think I will buy some to try.
Maybe I will chat a local sign-maker to see whether he can convert a graphic file to reverse-printed plastic for me - where appearance matters more.

I will let you know how it goes.... and maybe post pictures so you can all have a laugh

 

I use a Brother P-Touch label maker.

Me too.

 

Here is a wind mill power monitor I built and labeled with a Brother P-touch. (They wanted the economy model.)

 

Here is a wind mill power monitor I built

Interesting that the labels with the rounded rectangular border look neater than the plain labels... Must get a labeller that does borders when I buy one

Thanks

 

Decals can be used for labeling. You can buy blank decal paper and print your desired labels on it. A seal coat is then applied.

When applying, use a decal setting solution to snug the decal tightly to its position. Google "decal setting solution". Micro Scale Micro Sol and Walthers Solvaset are two such products.

There are YouTube videos on using these solutions. (I'm not endorsing the quality, but it looks pretty good)

There are also tutorials, of which this is a non-endorsed sample.
http://www.scalemodelguide.com/painting-weathering/decals/apply-waterslide-decals/

 

Decals can be used for labeling.

Thanks djsfantasi - will probably try that too.

Guess it will take a while trying the different options to find which ones suit me.

 

Hello,

You could have a look at front designer:
http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/frontdesigner.html

It is a pitty it is not free but will set you back 49.90 euro.

For the USA it can be bought here:
http://www.saelig.com/product/ES003.htm

Bertus

 

I've used a graphics program to layout the entire panel labeling, then print it out on overhead projector film with a laser printer. Spray the panel with 3M 77-adhesive. Place the panel face up and press the film on top of it. Press down with a rubber roller on the film to make sure it completely adheres. Then trim the outer edge and all openings with an Exacto knife.

Ken