Electronics Using photos for project front panel labels/artwork

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Various methods for creating professional-looking labels for DIY project front panels are discussed, primarily focusing on printing techniques using local photo labs for high-quality results. The user is experimenting with creating artwork in LibreOffice Draw and printing it as a .png or .jpg, aiming for durability and minimal glare, potentially through lamination or clear coatings. Concerns about precise hole cutting for controls are addressed, with a Brother Scan-N-Cut plotter being utilized for accuracy. The user notes challenges with print scaling and alignment but finds the process manageable with adjustments. Recommendations include exploring sign shops for vinyl printing and considering alternative methods like heat transfer printing for better durability.
  • #31
So this following approach isn't what I'm looking for right now, but maybe in the future if I'm already ordering a PC Board, so I thought I'd post it for others to see. Basically, when this guy orders a PCB for his project, he specifies black solder mask and maps out a section of the PCB as the front panel. He has it drilled & routed to his specs, and the legend (white silk screened, durable paint) is the labeling/graphics for the panel. Clever!

It's really pretty neat, and there are some pretty cheap small run PCB houses out there. This is still a little pricey for the near 8 x 10 size I would need, but if I also needed a PCB, it's very low added cost. And if I needed quantities in the dozens, it might pencil out as well (drilling being done for you, and PCB is strong enough w/o any backing panel needed).



I think this is the place he used:

https://jlcpcb.com/
 

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