It's not a sticker.
Honestly I don't know Forats method but I'll say he is a master at it.
I just know that in most cases it's dry transfer or silk screened during manufacturing (the latter for something like an MPC or mass produced goods).
I was gonna start a topic on this a few months ago as I've been customizing synths & stuff for a while myself.
Maybe theres some graphic design or auto/detail dudes here & they can add to this...
Theres more than one way to put the text/markings etc on your MPC or whatever your'e customizing.
1st You will need a template (or several).
But it doesn't have to be the whole face of the MPC.
You can do sections at a time, you'll just have to re-orient it on the face later when you transfer it to the body.
If you're crafty with Adobe illustrator/Photshop or Visio, then it should be no problem to make a custom template & you can really go off & customize your MPC however you like.
use different fonts, change the names, etc...
Heres a hint for 60/3000 guys: scan the cover your manual, theres a pretty good picture of the MPC, then manipulate it in Photoshop/Illustrator.
The rear panel is the hardest!
We ended up taking close up photos & lining them up in Photoshop.
Painting:
Sorry kids Krylon from HomeDepot is not the way to go.
Find a local auto body, detail or custom shop (or even a metal shop).
Most any independant shop should be willing to do this.
Have them clean/strip the housing/body parts, this is usually done by sandblasting.
It will leave your housing bare metal.
If you like that look, then all they have to do from there is buff it out a little to bring the shine out & then "clear coat" it.
Otherwise, heres where they start painting.
Just have them paint with any color you'd paint a car with.
If you want to get fancy & make the 'grey squares' around the pads & Number keypads areas, then they should be able to do that, otherwise find a custom shop that will do it. Not hard, its just a square or precisely aligned masking tape.
Usually places that do pinstripes, etc... can do all this.
Seen Pimp my ride or American Chopper?
ok, you get the hint...
So now you have the body painted.
Don't clear coat it yet...
You gotta put the text / markings back on..
Like I said there is more than one way to do this.
If you are lucky, a custom shop might be able to do it for you, but this *is* a pain in the ass.
how did we do it?
Right here:
http://www.pulsar.gs/DecalPRO/Vertical/ ... rview.html
A $60 laminator from Office Depot & old laser printe from ebay & your in business.
Theres another company "DataMark" that makes pre-made dry transfers but only in white or black.
Get an idea here:
http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p52.htm
Actually, if you hit up your local hobby or electronics shop, you might be able to find this or other brands of DIY dry transfer.
They're often used by folks who build there own audio/hi-fi gear.
Theres also a few places that will make the template & dry transfers for you, as well you could have a giant sticker made if you wanted.
So once you get your design done, you create your Dry transfer labels.
This is a royal pain to get right, but with practice its really cool.
ok so after you apply your lettering / graphics dry transfers, etc.
now you let it set, then go back to the paint/body shop.
Have them give it a couple hard coats of ClearCoat.
If all went well, nothing smudged or peeled off in the process & you will have a custom mpc.
So your not happy & you want custom arm rests, or side pieces?
Google up some places that do injection molding.
Also hit up TAP plastics if they're in your area.
They made me some sweet side pieces in glossy black color.
Theres all kinds of ways to go about customizing, but if you are a crafty DIY'er do some google'ing & some footwork and you'll come up with your own way.
Not trying to knock Forat, but it's not rocket science.
Google will set you free. The info is out there.
originally I was going to offer this to the public as a service, but it's pretty time consuming & I'd probably charge the same or more than forat, therefore I've shared with you guys how we do it instead.
With the hopes others develop & share there way.
Good luck kids.
PS:
oh yeah, bigger thicker MPC pads...
I found place that will make them.
Problem is, it aint cheap as you must order in quantity.
To do that & recoup investment would be tough.
