Making Decals, any experience here?

After I upgraded my CF-29 to an Emissive Keyboard I no longer had hotkey marking with the model that I chose. So, I got to thinking that perhaps the answer was a make a decal that would mount on the plastic strip that is screw mounted about the keyboard.

The art work is no problem, but when I checked on the price of decal paper at a website I was rather disturbed that the price! 5 sheets of paper plus a can of shellac for $27, plus $7 shipping! That is high in my book.

One sheet would be enough to do 20 Toughbooks, so I think that I will truck on down to the local crafts megastore and see if they can hook me up with one sheet!

I would need to get white decal paper, as there is no way that I can think of to make my HP Laserjet print white on clear, which would be the cleanest way to do this.

I know that I could just memorize the hotkeys, but Nah, I want to keep tinkering.

Any ideas?

 

Take the plastic strip to a calligrapher and he can write it on it in white paint

 

Michael's and Hobby Lobby craft stores have white decal paper.

 

Thanks, I have my own artwork, as you can see below and I want to use that.

Thanks for a source, we have both in the Atlanta area!

Below is a pic I made a "decal" I quickly fabricated out of heavy laser paper and Scotch Tape, both single and dual sided, to illustrate what I want to do.


This picture (now deleted ) also shows the screen scratches that are a nuisance on my Toughbook! You can not see it when lit, and I am not sure if that it a screen protector, or if a screen protector would give it a more even appearance.

If mine was a Touch Screen I would guess that was were the wear pattern came from, as it closely follows the bezel. Perhaps someone thought that all CF-29s were touch model and that is the aftermath of their frustration trying to get it to function!

Guys, I know that this is a small thing, but I am waiting on something big and I don't wait well!

 

What you're seeing on your screen is the remnants of a badly abused anti-glare coating. There is an easy fix. Go to the hardware store and find a brass polish product called "Nevr-Dull", it comes in a round blue and red can. Inside you will find cotton batting treated with something which will remove the balance of the coating and give you a pristine screen. I discovered this when I scratched the crap out of my brand new $500 bi-focals' anti-glare coating. I searched all over the web after my optometrist told me he couldn't do any thing except make me new lenses. The solutions ranged from muriatic acid to buffing compound, but someone suggested brass polish. The Nevr-Dull has very little if any abrasive action, but I have cleaned CF-28 screens in less than 10 minutes, they used to lose their coating when you tried to remove the screen protectors. Try it you'll like it!

 

Thanks Captain! The site still will not let me give any more Rep!

I assume that this is the product that you are talking about. I remember having seen the blue and white can, but could not find it on the Internet.

 

The Captain is right, never dull is used alot in the aircraft industry for polishing stainless steel and aluminum. Good stuff.

 

That looks pretty cool, keep us updated on how it goes.

 

those do look great. I thought the keyboard had the little symbols? have to check my cf-29 when I get home.

 

That's the stuff. Now, on to your decal. You are going to need some sort of vinyl if you want any durability. Any ink/paint you want to use has to be able to "bite" into the substrate or it will be gone in nothing flat. Industry would use silk screen to print your images. None of this is DIY one off technology. I would try printing your images on paper and holding them in place with some sort of laminating film, or look into the clear labels from Avery which can be found at any Staples or the like.
CAP

 

Azrial
we have a local sticker shop that i think makes clear vinyl sticker with color ink. there not high at all. They don't charge you a arm and leg for one. i have used them on many jobs

I'll ask them today, great ideal

 

Thanks, I can email you my artwork!

 

Azrial, any chance of these being printed with illuminant ink so the symbols are obvious even in dimmer lighting? Heck, it'd be a whole lot easier for bifocal-ed eyes!

Ok... even if they aren't "glow in the dark", I'm in for a few of these stickies!!
Ron in SG

 

Azrial -

You can go to any Office Supply store and find Inkjet Printable Vinyl Sheets (Opaque white, matte finish) used for DIY Bumper stickers. The durability is only limited by the durability of your ink. Costs $5-8 for 5-10 Letter-sized sheets, depending on brand.

If you don't like the matte finish apply a layer of Laminating Sheet or 3M Clear Heavy packing tape; it's like 10-15 mil and VERY tough.

mnem
Don't label me!

 

Azrial

They are going to make one up. I give them a old rubber key board to use as a copy

They will be clear with white symbols. It should look really cool, they do a very good job. About 1/2 wide and 7 1/2 long right above the keys.

I should have a pic in couple days as were busy at work. Not sure when i can get it picked up.

If they have problems with art work i may have you email yours to me or them.

Price? not sure, but she said not much? I didn't like that answer but will see.

If you like them and the price is good just tell me how many you want.
I thinking 3.00 or 4.00 dollars hoping for 2.00

 

Please... Just make sure you get the CORRECT artwork... You certainly don't want to copy any one else's!

 

Thanks, this is similar to the method I am using now on the decal that you see mounted on my Toughbook. Admittedly in is pretty beta, but I had not slept in 48 hours when I made it... I will be testing my graphics tonight for how well they show up in low light with my beta-cal!

Well that is fast, however I am a little concerned with the quality of the artwork, if they are going to just blow up the images that were on your keyboard. Those images are fine when they have an active light source behind them, like the French or Rubber versions of the the Emissive Keyboard, but to blow them up to a useful size and not have them become blocky, well I guess we will see!

My artwork is original and should be of a higher resolution. I look forward to seeing your product!

Hey Ron, when I first read this, I thought, "And if pigs had wings...." and then I got to thinking, and it is do-able! I am now thinking along these lines and have made some product inquires. I think that I may try them this way as well!

Stand by.

This is a great idea, and in combination with the idea about got me thinking in the right direction!

The decal that you see mounted on my CF-29 ( I changed the original pic) is one I made this morning with a similar process, with heavy packing tape as my laminate. I used to make labels for two-radios in use in the field like this and they would stand up for years, but this thread has really got me to thinking with some new ideas!

"Don't label me!" Ha! Funny! :laugh:

I would never have guessed that such a fun thread would have been the result of serious sleep deprivation!

 

Good advice Rick

I Remember Toyo's/Robs old avatar lol
Maybe its time to change mine




Alex

 

I did not see Rick's Advice!

But not to worry, I drew mine bit by bit and I think they are more intrinsic for an English speaking person!

I like the CopyCat Icon!

 

I am SO sorry... My comment was meant for Toughbook2010... Seems he has a penchant for copying things... I just wanted to make sure that he didn't offer something or post something that wasn't original. Since two of his auctions copied mine almost word for word.... VIOLATING my copyright restrictions... Seems ebay agreed as they took down two of his auctions that violated their/my copyright restrictions! Except for the mis-spellings of course. He denied he copied but the evidence was overwhelming to ebay (as well as my customers who pointed it out)... eBay ended his auctions immediately after I spoke with them. He threatened to "lower his prices to cause me harm" (essentially) I told him to "GO FOR IT!" People who don't KNOW how to do things and pretend they know by buying kits and faking crap.... They can just go somewhere else. I know a lot of people here take, take take.... And NEVER give back... They can burn as far as I am concerned.

I have had others who have been on this forum who have either copied my pictures, wordtracks, phrases or other "Ultimate Toughbook" items... And they paid.... They ALL went away. Usually by their own hand... They couldn't compete when the tables were leveled!

So TB2010 Got ANYTHING original? I see you've copied everyone else!

 

Eeeep!

*Backs away in case of shrapnel*

mnem<~~~ NOT Collateral Damage... today. ~~~<<<

 

Really! They take down all adds under investigation. So later they put them back up and even give me a refund for the trouble? I'm sure you got that in the mail just left out that part Seems they didn't see a problem after all.

I can't use the words like Floppy Drive, New Ram,1.6 Centrino,Totally Custom,
Yes all word in every add on ebay. Go figure

Never threatened to lower price, I believe i said I'm even trying to keep my price high so everyone makes money. I could have under cut price to get a sell but now that wouldn't have done us any good.
For that matter there not even the same thing. Mine has a mic's, webcams,Buetooth, and anything else i can fit in it.
Don't us those words there mine i typed them first.

I'm done on this subject and will not address it again I hope you do the same.
Not How a mod should act, but i might be wrong there.


Azrial sorry about the highjacking
Not cool to highjack someone thread very sorry.

 

Dude.... TRY... I have the largest following anywhere. My repeat and referral business in a week would dwarf what you could do in a year! I've freely given out every mod I have done. You have come up with NOTHING except what you have ripped off from others!

Don't cloak yourself in holiness.... You COPIED my AD WORD FOR WORD.... With a few extras by you thrown in. (Mostly mis-spellings!) When I talked to ebay... They noticed it right away and took your auctions down IMMEDIATELY! They DO NOT do that for every complaint... (I guess you haven't been around ebay too long) I have been at this for over 10years... You are not the first to copy my language, pictures, phrases, etc. And I am sure you will not be the last. Some who only copy a little get away with it... But when you copy everything except my animated graphics (Most likely because you cannot!) people notice. I had 4 emails in my Inbox about it. And you tried to tell me that YOU came up with it on your OWN? Uh.... B S ! But since my stuff IS copyrighted... I WILL go after ANYONE who infringes upon my livelihood. I normally try to keep my business OFF this forum as I try to only give away what I know and to promote discussions to promote more investigation and modding. To me there is nothing worse than someone like you who comes on and asks a lot of questions and then goes out to try to cheaply copy the masters. There are 2-4 people on this forum that know how to do stuff by scratch.... You are NOT among them! To try to tell people on ebay that you know what is what... Yeah... and I am GOD.... The proof is in your (lack) of feedback! You buy kits, take info (without giving back) and then try to steal and copy auctions.

SHAME, SHAME....

Personally I will not help you or anyone who helps you.... You are a taker... a vulture. And if the Mod Gods have issue with this... Sorry... It is the truth and I have emails to back it all up. If needed I can have ebay call the right people with what actually happened. (Yes... I can do that.)

Let it go... I've just started. You are a "taker" just like so many others on ebay.... And YES... You did threaten me with, "I could have cut my prices to really hurt you but I didn't!"

Go for it... You'll only cut your own throat. You have NO idea what I buy my stuff for.... I build mine... You buy other people's "kits" because you know nothing! (And BAD kits at that!) Go for it... Try to put me out of business.

The Gauntlet is thrown down....

My apologies to EVERYONE who has to put up with this copycat, scam artist. Especially YOU Bill.... You know who I am and what I am about!

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160400322472

Gee... I noticed that you had to change your wording and word-tracks..... SURPRISE, SURPRISE....

 

No guys, that is OK, get it hammered out!

When the readership of this thread reaches 10K, I will announce my decals ready for sale!

Not that I don't take this matter very seriously! How a man feeds his family is serious business!

For any still interested... I have made the graphics larger and bolder, so to maximize recognition under low light. They are now a little smaller then the keys and very centered.

I have experimented with florescent paper and the color was so hot that it just took over the photos I took! I was hesitant to post them for this reason.

I will try and make time tomorrow to talk to two different manufactures I have found that have the luminescent material that I want to use.

If you think that you might be interested, send me a PM so I can judge how many to make and what will be the price break down per unit.

 

Oh, I must of missed that post
Were will the decal be placed?
And what is the decal going to say?

Alex

 

Errrm... We not talking about stickers anymore? Any ways my wife has a CraftRobo that she uses to make stickers and other useless stuff. Do you have a preset image you just want to make a sticker out of?

 

Sorry guys... I should be above this all as a mod here.... This bubbled over from elsewhere... But it WAS deserved!

Azrial... Now... About those decals....

 

I have a comment on this. This is to remind those member and lurker here that you can not just copy anybody business. You need to have ask or permission to right owner of a certain materials specially when it is on public display purposes. Make your own and ask guidance. I am a seller and buyer to on ebay, craigslist and other but I always keep it on my own style and sometimes I ask somebody how to improve it. I remember a year ago and even as of to date. My auction style I still considered the worst one out there, Lol. I even ask "Rick"(toughbook) and others how to improve it.

I am not pointing my finger to anyone here. Just a reminder. Peace

Sorry! Azrail... for high jack...g your thread and let me know how much per set of those decals?

ohlip

 

Bill,

One thing you may consider, if you have a steady hand and an exacto knife is to print out what you want on adhesive paper, cut out the reverse, adhere it to the keyboard strip and then either spray paint it or a colored nail polish or something.

Ohlip.... YOU are the only competition that I see on eBay as I know that you know your stuff and have demonstrated it. It's always burned me about the takers who then crow on ebay that THEY make the best laptop around.... Yet two weeks before they didn't even know what questions to ask! If they even asked any at all.

Props to you... And you know I'll help you any way I can... Even if it means losing a sale to you (which I know I have )

 

How about going into a trophy shop or something and see if they have a laser engraver... with the icons etched, you can put a bit of paint into the grooves and wash off the rest... there should be glow-in-the-dark paint too, right?

 

That's actually a pretty cool idea.

 

OooH!!! I KNOW ! I KNOW!

I'll hack the firmware of my Brother LabelMaker and import Azrial's custom bitmap... Should we run Minux or Puppy?

mnem
And now for something completely... the same.

 

Actually, what about one of the labelmakers that you plug into your computer? Seems a bit easier, though you couldn't do glow and the dark, I'm sure it would hold up decently and mass production would be a walk in the park.

 

I contacted a source the other night for some material that I think will be what we are looking for.

After thought, research and experimentation I do not think that glow in the dark is the answer, for only one reason. Most of the papers I have found available only glow for 30 minutes, after 10 minutes exposure to bright light. As great an idea as it is, the limitations of the available material make this seem more problematic then it is worth.

I called on one company. Brighttec, that has a paper they say is photographic quality, had been used in high security ID and will glow for over 12 hours! They still have a web presence, but seem to be out of business. That is too bad, it looked like an amazing product with many applications! Check out their website, it is a .com.

After playing with my crude home-brew decals while working at 2:AM, I think that the answer is reflective material. I mean the screen will be on of you need to make use of the hotkeys...