what do you guys use to put a design on your raw materials? for instance, i want to make something out of plexi. i know i could put it underneath and trace it; however, that means the surface is not masked, and that is important. contact paper is an option, but that might pose the risk of melting. the transfer medium needs to be easily removable. when i think of my ideal material, i think of the paper you sometimes see on plexi when people buy it, with a backing in standard printer paper size [which i could cut if you can buy it in rolls] for example: http://bit-tech.net/article/116/8 if a material could be purchased, printed on, and then applied to the plexi, it would be ideal anyone have ideas? i know this may be a little confusing, my mind's foggy right now and i cant think of how to clarify
well plexi when bought will either come with the paper backing or the plastic film to protect it from scratches, what I did when I needed to make acustom fan grill, was to print out the image and then tape it directly to the plexi, this usually works for small things, For bigger stuff you can print it out in sections or free hand, for straight lines or what not, a good ruler and some simple counting skills are all you need
ok then. any idea how contact paper would react though? i know i can easily draw the image on the plexi if i need to, its a pretty straightforward image, this time. !!!! i just remembered something that may help me. it has to do with sandblasting. back in a few, if i can find anything
If there are any vinyl graphic or sign shops near you, see if they will give ( OK, maybe begging required LOL ) or sell you some "premask". Its like thin smooth masking tape, but up to 48" wide. Its used to transfer vinyl graphics from their adhesive backing to the surface youre applying onto. Pretty cheap stuff, since you use it and throw it out, and it leaves no residue.
If you put it on a piece of plastic film, it might be ok in an inkjet, but definitely not a laser, the fuser heat wouldn't like the adhesive. Best mostly for hand drawn stuff. It is very similar to the protective sheet on Plexi, similar kind of adhesive on the back.
