Attempting to Make Plexi Nameplates

[Cadorman]

I'm on my first attempt at making my own acrylic nameplates. Anyone else here done this?

I had artwork from when I was building bicycle frames, so I started with that and reversed the image in my photo editor. Then I put the image into Word so I could put several of them on one page as I didn't want to waste the decal paper. I printed this on ink jet water slide decal paper and got this:

I let the ink dry overnight and then cut the decals into 1.5 x 6 inches. Next I spray bombed them with this:
You have to coat the ink with some kind of acrylic paint to keep it from running when soaked in water.

Here's what I got for acrylic sheet at Lowe's:

I used a stainless ruler and X-Acto knife to score the sheet multiple times and then it snaps along the score line ending up with this:

After the paint dried for a few hours I soaked the decal and applied it to the back of the acrylic sheet:

It's not perfect, but I am happy with it for a first attempt.

 

[SG John]

That looks cool. Did you paint the back of the decal?

 

[Cadorman]

Technically, I painted the front of the decal. So you have backing paper, decal then gold paint. You are looking at the decal through the acrylic plate. That's why I had to print the image backwards.

 

[Thatbastarddon]

Well done sir!

 

[CabanaBoy]

Awesome, man - very nice DIY...

I've never done that, but I think am going to here soon.

Puts my parchment/cardstock wrapped in clear protector, or sometimes clear coated, to shame - lol...

 

[SG John]

I'm going to try making an early style JTM nameplate with my name for my build in the near future.

 

[Cadorman]

I made another one that's 2 x 8. The first was just too small. Now it's done.

 

[CoyotesGator]

Nice work.

Is there a build thread for it?

 

[Cadorman]

Nice work.

Is there a build thread for it?

Sort of. It's the '1987 build, which choke?' Thread. It's about 3 pages in now. The amp is based off a '68 50 watt. It's the evil twin of John's. He went all vintage and I went with modern day (aerospace wire, mil spec resistors) and a couple of recommended mods from Ivan.

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

Sort of. It's the '1987 build, which choke?' Thread. It's about 3 pages in now. The amp is based off a '68 50 watt. It's the evil twin of John's. He went all vintage and I went with modern day (aerospace wire, mil spec resistors) and a couple of recommended mods from Ivan.

Beautiful work Chris

 

[Don O]

Nice!

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Nice!

 

[syscokid]

It's not perfect, but I am happy with it for a first attempt.

It looks darn good to me. What could have made it better?

 

[Cadorman]

It looks darn good to me. What could have made it better?

The edges didn't stick down well on the first one. I think it was in the water too long and must have lost some adhesive. The second one was much better.

 

[ivan H]

I think that looks great, very well done. I might have to have a go at that in the future (probably need help with the computer stuff, my being "digitally challenged"). I've only ever had panels professionally made, where the text etc is laser engraved in reverse on the rear of the plexiglass panel & then the black applied over it. Again, well done. Cheers

 

[jtcnj]

Looks great, Chris!!

I have 2 in the works, stalled but still on the docket. Have the waterslide paper but yet to start experimenting.
From well over a year ago.

Always some other demands on my time.
Been shoveling / relocating crushed blue stone the last several weekends / some week days for as long as I can go each time.
And the driveway work done busted one of my lawn sprinkler lines some where under the new asphalt, so I had to work around that and run some pvc pipe above ground under my deck and re connect to the poly pipe. GRRRR.

Que Ringo: "I got blisters on me fingas!!".

 

[marshalltsl]

Great Job! Very nice.

 

[SG John]

It came out excellent.