DSF

Right, this is completely unrelated to Dye Sub (I think). But I turn to my fellow dye subbers because if you have mastered that sort of printing then anything is possible!!!!

Last year my old company printed some metal plaques for Bullet For My Valentine (BFMV). These were 10mm thick stainless steel and cut to a very specific shape. They were then sprayed white and the BFMV logo was screen printed on top. The logo was printed several times on the plate with a very thick ink as it needed to raise off the metal. Similar to doming I suppose. You can see the actual plates in the following you tube video at about 1 minute 15 seconds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSQSGrW3904

I know everyone is going to say whats the point of the logo rising from the plate and I agree, but if that is what the band want who am I to disagree

When I had these made last time I had quotes come in for the metal ranging from £250.00 each down to £25.00 each. You can guess which one I went for. The problem is that last time I did not actually handle the sourcing of the metal or payment or indeed the physical printing. My ex business partner scum did that and I have no way of knowing where or how the metal was done.

So my question is, does anyone have any ideas on where the metal could be made cheaply as they may be looking for some more. Also, does anyone have any ideas on how to print the raised lettering easily as I seem to remember giving my last screen printer nightmares with the job. Below is a PDF with the various dimensions etc

Things to note are:
Used in a touring environment so must be bullet proof tough!
Lettering on this particular job was raised about 10mm and had the rough edges
Customer would probably require about 20 of them
The magenta line indicates the shape of the steel plate
You may want to hit the mute button depending on your music taste

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated on this guys. I can not say for sure if they are absolutely going to order. I had an email from the guy 6 weeks ago and have heard nothing since, which is not unusual for the ordering process but no guarantee.

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I dont know about metal but you can screen print them. I you explain to screen printer they will add some inkpuff. This will rise logo up. Same as puffvinyl

Well sticky rubber 3mm thick I am pretty sure Laura's link in the neoprene thread to http://www.rhnuttall.co.uk could get that sorted.

5mm mild steel cut to size not too sure but might be worth trying eBay sellers such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mild-steel-sheet-/320983892946?_trksid=p4340.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D555001%26algo%3DPW.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D29%26meid%3D2662933745256146108%26pid%3D100009%26prg%3D1013%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D290781845107%26 as they do 5mm thick and can quote to cut to size.

Like the idea of PUFF just not sure on how good this is with fine detail. Will have a chat with a couple of screen printers and go from there.

Thanks for the links and help guys

Just had a call about branding slices of bread, told them where to go, one headache a day is enough

The more I look at the spec the more I wonder why they need 5mm thick metal! Why not 1 or 2 mm thick metal on a thicker rubber backing - it would surely give the same standoff and I seriously doubt that the item needs the structural strength of 5mm of steel.

Well I suppose the client is always right but it does seem overkill for a small sign.

The problem is that the logo replaces what is currently there.

These particular speakers are Mesa Boogie's but like all of them the concert touring ones have these metal plates on the front advertising the brand. They are 5mm thick and very heavy, its a typical music attitude in that they are only interested in replacing like for like, even if you could get something to do exactly the same job for a lot less.

The last lot I did for them had to be delivered by hand as they were so heavy, it got me a all expenses to New York so I didn't complain!

Well I suppose it now makes some sense, the excessive nature of the music industry lol

Some of the things I get asked are unreal.

Once needed to brand a tent, so did and then they asked for a photograph. Just so happened that my big black dog was in the picture so as a joke I also stuck the bands logo on the side of the dog using Photoshop. They came back and asked if I was willing to get him sprayed and how much would it cost for the dog and me to go to Glastonbury!!!!

Have you considered embossing by a hotfoil machine?