Custom NES Labels

C_Ux2C_Ux2
in Help Wanted!
Hello all,



First time poster here! I hope one or more of you might be able to help me with some questions I have regarding creation of custom NES labels.



I'm a graphic designer so am familiar with the creation of graphics and setting up the templates required, of which I have already found some decent looking ones within the community.



I am wondering though:



- Are people cutting these out by hand, specifically, the cornered edges of the label?

- What do people favor for sticking the label to the NES cart?

- What paper stock have people preferred for labels? 



Any help or additional information would be greatly appreciated!



I look forward to posting some designs here for your feedback.



Cheers,

C

Comments

  • CavenyxCavenyx
    I guess it all depends on the equipment you have.



    I use a Roland Versacamm printer with LG 010 vynil for media. I find this media the best for printed labels of any kind as it has a glossy finish and colors come out fantastic. I have the machine cut rounded corners. No labor needed.



    Nothing wrong with using regular Mac-Tac paper and cutting out the corners with scissors. Unless you drink 6 coffees a day and have the shakes, it should look alright.





    Edit**   Welcome to NA, btw!
  • C_Ux2C_Ux2
    Well, I have access to some decent printers through work contacts so I will look into anything that will make the cuts for me - that would be fantastic if I could find something to do that! I wouldn't be surprised if the place I am thinking of has a Roland printer of some description, they also print wallpapers and textiles aswell as large scale print jobs.



    Otherwise, i'm fairly sure I could print labels on a large sheet of self adhesive glossy paper and then cut them manually. I may invest in a small guillotine to aid here then do the corners manually. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so that last part worries me a bit!



    I'm also not far from 6 cups of coffee a day so this worries me also.



    Can I ask, do you fold the part of the label that goes onto the 'top' of the cartridge by hand?


  • BouncekDeLemosBouncekDeLemos
    I do everything manually, and all I use is either sticker paper with photo laminate; or glue, regular paper, and super wide clear tape for laminate. I feel that laminate protects the label art better than just having something printed out on glossy paper.



    Also, for the corners, it's best to add "guides" to the corners of your labels so when you print them out, they'll be easier to cut. Some people use nail clippers, medical precision scissors to get the best corners possible, or a label cutting device.



    When you get time, check out this thread here, there's a bunch of labels and info you're more than welcome to use:

    http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=53870



    Also, welcome to NintendoAge!!
  • GizzyGamesGizzyGames

    Originally posted by: Ravengamer



    I guess it all depends on the equipment you have.



    I use a Roland Versacamm printer with LG 010 vynil for media. I find this media the best for printed labels of any kind as it has a glossy finish and colors come out fantastic. I have the machine cut rounded corners. No labor needed.



    Nothing wrong with using regular Mac-Tac paper and cutting out the corners with scissors. Unless you drink 6 coffees a day and have the shakes, it should look alright.





    Edit**   Welcome to NA, btw!







    Just took a look at those printers, wow they are expensive!
  • CavenyxCavenyx

    Originally posted by: GizzyGames




    Originally posted by: Ravengamer



    I guess it all depends on the equipment you have.



    I use a Roland Versacamm printer with LG 010 vynil for media. I find this media the best for printed labels of any kind as it has a glossy finish and colors come out fantastic. I have the machine cut rounded corners. No labor needed.



    Nothing wrong with using regular Mac-Tac paper and cutting out the corners with scissors. Unless you drink 6 coffees a day and have the shakes, it should look alright.





    Edit**   Welcome to NA, btw!







    Just took a look at those printers, wow they are expensive!





    Yes, they are very expensive. I own a printing company and these things are a must have for wide format digital prints.
  • C_Ux2C_Ux2
    Thank you all for your replies, I am pleased to say i've done some experimentation based on your feedback.



    I've mocked up some very basic labels using templates and printed these on plain paper, so as to save resources at this point. As suggested, i've ordered some double wide tape and will be testing that as a form of lamination.



    I also tried cutting the corners of the label by hand, which surprisingly gave quite pleasing results; even if I did have to hold back on the coffee. I do have access to the kind of printer suggested by Raven but at this point i'll print on a smaller scale and cut manually: i'm still not entirely sure where this project is headed, only that i'm enjoying it so far.



    In regard to fixing the label to the cartridge i've used an adhesive for 'Plastic' called 'Uhu Creativ'. This is general purpose glue for sticking things to plastic, clear gel and relatively easy to apply; I actually just spread it about with my fingers insuring all the corners and sides were covered.



    I did, however, go to the trouble of quickly sanding down the space where the label goes just to give the glue something to stick to, this may have helped somewhat.



    Are there any residents with experience in making boxes for the carts? Having got a taste for this i'm now thinking about that also.



    Thank you again,

    C
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