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Custom Decal? supplier for Pi display panel

Former Member

I've mounted a 7" LCD panel for a Raspberry Pi in an ABS box that holds the LCD flush to the front surface but I'd like it to look good so I want to find a way to 'frame' the display with custom decal but am having problems finding a supplier. I can find vast numbers of Vinyl Printers/cutters but vinyl is too thin.

The decal needs to be aproximately 190x130mm with rounded outside corners and a rectangular 150x90 cut out making a 2cm wide 'picture frame' to go round the display.

Preferably self adhesive.

I've seen various electronic equipment using a self adhesive stiff plastic ( a bit thinner than a credit card) with cutouts for the connectors and printing on them. I don't need any printing and would prefer black.

Initially I only need a couple of dozen but realise I may need to go for more.

Any ideas of a supplier?

Someone mentioned laminated polycarbonate!

Another laser cutting.

Any info greatly appreciated.

If there is a better place to ask this question please point in the right direction.

Chris

  • Hi Chris,

     

    If you can get print onto plastic (even if it is a thin decal, it could be stuck onto a 0.5mm plastic sheet - acetal is nice to work with at that thickness) for some stiffness (a large sheet (say A4 or A5) will still be very flexible at that thickness, but will spring back). I'm sure other plastics are fine too.

    Then, the cheapest option would be to cut it with a very sharp scalpel and a metal rule (be careful!) for sharp corners.

    There are maybe picture-frame cutting tools to cut at a good 45 degree angle, but I've never done that (always used a scalpel).

    You could stick it with double-sided tape (which is very thin), or maybe some spray adhesive (not sure). One trick for absolutely no gap is to drill a few small holes on the case where the border will be, and glue from the inside of the case with (say) epoxy or other glue.

    However, if you go with acetal, I've only seen 0.5mm in natural off-white (not black) color. 1mm is available in black.

    If you need many or you do want round corners, then acetal cuts cleanly with a laser cutter. Some plastics will have a gloss finish on the cut edge (the cutter will be able to provide you with this information - they often won't do all types of plastic, due to toxicity).

  • Chris

    There is a thicker product used for front face with membrane switches underneath.

    No idea what it's called.

     

    We did some reverse printed 'decals' on a thin plastic and then used a 3M product (3M 468MP) which is a adhesive sheet (900 x 600) to stick it on.


     

    Some of the companies doing fridge magnets, have a range of other stuff they do, and they might be worth investigating.

    Ours here in NZ are often screen printers as well.

     

     

    Cheers

    Mark

  • in reply to mcb1

    Thanks for the suggestions. I remembered overnight that there is a sign maker local to me and I popped into them on the way to work. At first they suggested a thin foam board 3mm thick or viynl for thinner but then showed me some PolyCarbonate labels that can be supplied self adhesive, cut to any shape and be any colour!

    Almost perfect for what we need, the only downside is it comes clear and has to be printed the required colour. Though the sample I picked up seems pretty resistant to scratchs.

    So it seems I'm sorted, thank you.

    Chris

  • in reply to Former Member

    I thought I was sorted until I got the price. Nearly 7GBP each.

    If anyone knows of a more reasonable supplier I'm all ears.

    Chris

  • www.SafetyDecals.com is a great supplier.  They have been in the industry for over 65 years.  They have low prices and fast turnaround.  they are in the middle of changing webpages.  email them or call them they are great to deal with and very fast service