Date:         Tue, 11 Oct 2005 13:31:35 EDT
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Printing on Aluminum Sheet - NVC
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 10/11/05 10:28:19 AM, collum@VERIZON.NET writes:

<< Considering the price, I think I'd pick up some decal material for my
printer ...
. . . On the positive side ... mistakes are easily (and cheaply) rectified
and replacement or changes are easily performed, too. >>

On the negative side, they rub off the first time you look at them.  Probably
as durable and arguably as easy might be graphical transfer lettering.  Care
must be used in alignment of transfer characters, but only the character
itself is transferred with no surrounding field and it has a matte finish.  I've
used them for some quick and easy panel labeling which held up long enough to
justify the effort.  I once used some 1-1/2 inch transfer letters on a bike
helmet which held up surprisingly well.

The only permanent way to label a panel is to acid etch or engrave the
characters then fill them with paint.  In a populated area there must be at least
one jobber with a Deckel pantograph engraver to do the work.  Acid etching is
even done by custom knifemakers so that process is probably rather low tech.

George