Instrument panel labeling

I'm looking for ideas on how to make professional looking placards/labels for a instrument panel rebuild I'm doing. I need to make tiny labels for fuses, and switches and I hate, hate, hate the look of the continuous strip label maker "sticker" stuck to the panel. It looks tacky, but they never seem to stay stuck. Know what I mean?
I think a stencil might be too small, has any one ever used a pressure transfer and clear top coat? What else have you tried?

Signed,
Working till spring

Not sure what type of "continuous strip label maker sticker" you had so badly - is it the old Dymo style that produces a sort of raised letter on a thick plastic strip? Agree that those look terrible.

I used P-Touch laminated tapes on my panel and they look very professional and haven't had any problems over the last 3 years in the south Texas summer heat. I used their Extra-Strength cartridge (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZMVNLO/) and since my panel is black I used clear tape with white lettering. With the P-Touch you can print any sized label, many fonts, etc. I labeled fuses, switches, N-number and all look absolutely professional. Highly recommended.

Robert

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 8:26:27 PM UTC-6, wrote:
I'm looking for ideas on how to make professional looking placards/labels for a instrument panel rebuild I'm doing. I need to make tiny labels for fuses, and switches and I hate, hate, hate the look of the continuous strip label maker "sticker" stuck to the panel. It looks tacky, but they never seem to stay stuck. Know what I mean?
I think a stencil might be too small, has any one ever used a pressure transfer and clear top coat? What else have you tried?

Signed,
Working till spring

For a really professionally looking labels I would suggest a 'sign and engraving' business like this found at random on Google:

https://www.myengravedsign.com/Engra...el-Plates.aspx

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 8:26:27 PM UTC-6, wrote:
I'm looking for ideas on how to make professional looking placards/labels for a instrument panel rebuild I'm doing. I need to make tiny labels for fuses, and switches and I hate, hate, hate the look of the continuous strip label maker "sticker" stuck to the panel. It looks tacky, but they never seem to stay stuck. Know what I mean?
I think a stencil might be too small, has any one ever used a pressure transfer and clear top coat? What else have you tried?

Signed,
Working till spring

I have used Aircraft Engravers many times (https://www.engravers.net/). Not too expensive, quick, and well made.

Here are some examples for a Cessna 150 with an nearly unreadable panel I upgraded (PDF of what I sent them, what they sent me as a proof, and what they produced).
http://derosaweb.net/aviation/images/placards

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 11:35:01 PM UTC-6, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 8:26:27 PM UTC-6, wrote:
I'm looking for ideas on how to make professional looking placards/labels for a instrument panel rebuild I'm doing. I need to make tiny labels for fuses, and switches and I hate, hate, hate the look of the continuous strip label maker "sticker" stuck to the panel. It looks tacky, but they never seem to stay stuck. Know what I mean?
I think a stencil might be too small, has any one ever used a pressure transfer and clear top coat? What else have you tried?

Signed,
Working till spring

I have used Aircraft Engravers many times (https://www.engravers.net/). Not too expensive, quick, and well made.

Here are some examples for a Cessna 150 with an nearly unreadable panel I upgraded (PDF of what I sent them, what they sent me as a proof, and what they produced).
http://derosaweb.net/aviation/images/placards

Also, if you do decide to use the "Thermal transfer printing" label makers commonly found in office supply stores, definitely use the Dymo brand. Dymo has stepped up their game from the olden days of raised lettering, their adhesive is better than P-Touch's, and they even make printable HEAT SHRINK!! Same price point as P-Touch.

https://www.dymo.com/en-US/label-mak...60-label-maker

Also, a hint on getting these labels to stick better - clip each corner of the label at a 45. Its those 90 degree corners that seem to lift up over time. My $0.02.

I have printed labels with a good laser printer using Avery industrial strength A4 printable label sheets. Normal office labels do not last more than year or two. Label does not stick to Nextel paint very well, they need to be attached with two sided tesa tape used for mylar seals. Done like this, they outlast the glider.

Le vendredi 10 janvier 2020 09:27:23 UTC+1, krasw a écritÂ*:
I have printed labels with a good laser printer using Avery industrial strength A4 printable label sheets. Normal office labels do not last more than year or two. Label does not stick to Nextel paint very well, they need to be attached with two sided tesa tape used for mylar seals. Done like this, they outlast the glider.

I print them with a laser printer on standard paper, and the plastify the paper (the thing where you put the paper between to layers of clear plastic through a heating machine). Double sided tape to attach - looks professional and lasts forever.

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 9:26:27 PM UTC-5, wrote:



https://decalprofx.com/aircraft-panels.html


Check out the website above. Many photos of instrument panels done with this method. It transfers only the letters....no backing, no clear tape nothing...just letters

I worked on the restoration of a military Cessna 337...and did all the instrument panels, electrical panels, control labels, special labeling etc. Really looks nice....somewhat complicated and labor intensive....but 100% professional results.


Cookie



I'm looking for ideas on how to make professional looking placards/labels for a instrument panel rebuild I'm doing. I need to make tiny labels for fuses, and switches and I hate, hate, hate the look of the continuous strip label maker "sticker" stuck to the panel. It looks tacky, but they never seem to stay stuck. Know what I mean?
I think a stencil might be too small, has any one ever used a pressure transfer and clear top coat? What else have you tried?

Signed,
Working till spring

https://decalprofx.com/aircraft-pane...rd-funk-1.html


example of glider panel with this process

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 6:26:27 PM UTC-8, wrote:
I'm looking for ideas on how to make professional looking placards/labels for a instrument panel rebuild I'm doing. I need to make tiny labels for fuses, and switches and I hate, hate, hate the look of the continuous strip label maker "sticker" stuck to the panel. It looks tacky, but they never seem to stay stuck. Know what I mean?
I think a stencil might be too small, has any one ever used a pressure transfer and clear top coat? What else have you tried?

Signed,
Working till spring

I used thin black anodized aluminum which is sold for making placards and such (McMaster-Carr has it). I then engraved the lettering and cut out the outline and holes required on the CNC milling machine. These are typically held on by the switch or device they are labeling. I suppose not everyone has a CNC machine at home, but any labeling service (locally usually available at a sports trophy shop) can do this. It does not require a smooth surface, is as durable as the glider, and should needs change is easily changed without having to remove adhesive or paint.

Here are a couple of snaps of what it looks like:

https://i.imgur.com/2v472VV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZlCKdRr.jpg