Graphic overlays for Alucase electronic enclosures are available on fast turn-around for prototyping and low volume production. Alucase graphic overlays will put the finishing touch to your design by providing a clean, professional appearance with digitally printed high durability custom graphics.

When producing the graphic overlay we do not charge by the hole or cut-out, you can have as many as needed for your panel. Any colour any design. Alucase graphic overlays are processed within an all-digital print system. A little innovation and state of the art methods have allowed us to develop a system that is fast and cost effective.

 

We require you to provide us with correct artwork for your graphics in industry standard formats. When submitting artwork to us,

Please follow these basic guidelines:

1. Check your graphic design for layout, colour and spelling. To ensure colour match, specify CMYK values for all colours - including black!
2. Ensure that your graphic overlay will align properly over the front or rear panel design. It is a good idea to , print both the panel and the graphics overlay to scale, place one over the other, and ensure that they align as you expect.
3. Please note any LED or LCD windows or clear areas on your label in your graphic file. ( we may make an additional chrage for optically clear areas)

 

Our experienced graphics designers may adjust your file to make sure that it prints properly, looks great and matches your end panels, but the more information you provide with your artwork the better we can do that.

If you are not sure about your design or you are happy for us to design your graphics, we can work with you to generate that make suggestions give us a general idea of what you need and we can produce a design for you to approve. Our service extends to LOGO production too.

Graphic Overlay Properties

Alucase graphic overlay panels are made of a new laminate material that has the look, feel, and durability of traditional silk-screened panels but without some of its limitations. The graphics panels are a minimum of 125 micron( 0.125 millimeters) thick which we have found is able to cover most standard holes in the aluminum plates without causing a visible depression. The material is a wear resistant cadmium free monomeric calendered PVC film that has the look and feel of satin lexan, and even though they are prototypes delivered within days, they are virtually indistinguishable from the production labels that you may see on your telephone, HMI, or other high volume devices.

How do your graphic overlay panels compare with silk screening?

Alucase graphic overlay panels (labels) provide you many advantages over silk screening: for one they are considerably less expensive for prototyping and production, the are also available in virtually any of the 16 million colours in the CMYK Pallete, you are not limited to the color the silk screen printer has on hand. With our digitally printed process there is no smearing or chipping. Your Alucase can have any image or graphic printed on its front and rear panels and of course the Top panel can be produced in high resolution high definition full colour. Anything you can create in Corel or Photoshop can be digitally printed on your panel!

How durable is the graphic panel?

The Alucase graphic overlay panel material is very durable and in normal use will not scratch, crack, discolor or fade

How is the graphics panel applied to the faceplate?

The Alucase graphics overlay is adhesive backed and you peel it off the backing paper, align it to the faceplate, and carefully smooth it down with your fingers or a flat object like a credit card. We manufacture the panels using top quality materials that allow you to carefully lift them back up and move them if you need to re-adjust the alignment. (Alucase graphic overlays are NOT cheap vinyl stickers !) If you have a large panel with a number of alignment features, you can also spray Alucase alignment solution on both the panel and the adhesive of the graphic overlay - this allows you to easily slide the label around until its perfectly located, then gently apply pressure to set the adhesive, and firmly squeegee the water to the edges using a paper towel to soak up excess water. After the panel sits for a few minutes and the water evaporates the adhesive material will activate and provide you with a perfectly aligned and rugged panel.

 

Where large panel are supplied alignment solution is supplied free of charge. - You may also purchase Alignment solution if required

What colors are available?

We can manufacture your Alucase overlay from any CMYK color. Unless you specify white, we will normally produce the overlay using a base material that matches the colour of the underlying Alucase. Thus panels with a small amopunt of printing on them, appear to be made of the same material as the Alucase. See example photographs.

What are the available shapes for the graphics panels ?

Alucase graphic overlays can be any shape you desire, However we normally manufacture them to fit the Alucase range of products, covering the end panels and top "branding panel". The outside shape of your label is cut by our automated cutting system directly from the outlines you indicate in your graphics file, or we can cut it to match your faceplates.

 

 

Cut out shapes for connectors, switches, buttons, LED's and displays?

Please draw the shape of any cuts you require on your graphic panel to align with the cutouts in your faceplate. Over sizing your label cutout by .025 to .05 inches larger then the matching faceplate cut out (like in the case of a connector) simplifies the installing of the cutouts.

What graphics format do you require?

We may need to add information to your graphics design to allow our high speed industrial printing equipment to automatically cut inside holes and shapes, and the outside perimeter to the tolerances that will ensure the overlay fits your enclosure or end panel exactly. To provide the best match we prefer your artwork in vector format: Illustrator ai (version 10 or earlier), Corel Draw cdr (version 13 or earlier), eps or dxf .

While not providing the same high accuracy as the vector file formats, we can also process bitmap files created by popular program like Photoshop. In this case please provide high a resolution (300dpi at actual size) files.

How do I send design files to you for manufacturing?

When you place an online order for your Alucase you should email your design files in .zip format to alucase'at'crownhill.co.uk" (replace the word at with the @ symbol). If you are ordering more then one panel please separate all artwork into separate zip files and send separet emails clearly identifying the relationship between the files. If you would like to send notes, pictures, or documents to help us produce your graphics panel please place all these files into a zip file and email them to us separately fomr the design files.

Can you design my graphic panel?

Yes we can ! We prefer to help you compose and finalize your design. BUT if you really cannot design your graphic panel, we can take your instructions and notes and create one for you. There is a charge for this and we wil dicuss the cost with you prior to commensing any work. You will need to send us your rough design including all graphic elements, text and if you are NOT using and Alucase, we will need the eeeend plate or CAD file of your end plate. Our designers will then prepare a draft for your approval.

A comment about bleeds and layout Requirements

A full bleed is when the color “bleeds” off the overlay. If your overlay design or background color is intended to cover the entire surface of the overlay, please note that we need a 1/16" (0.0625") bleed around each edge of the overlay. For example, if you have a 2” x 1” overlay where the color bleeds off the edges, you should size your design to 2.125 inch x 1.125 inches as this ensures a 1/16 bleed (excess material) around the entire overlay.

It's also wise to leave at least 1/16 inch (0.0625) of clear space (i.e. no significant design elements or text) inside the die-line to allow for slight shifts during die-cutting.

Other Considerations about Your Graphics Panel

We use a commercial grade all-digital printer, so the image mode and resolution of your artwork are extremely important to ensure correct color and clarity. All jpg and tiff files need to have a resolution of at least 300 dpi (we print at upto 1440 dpi). at actual size. Our equipment is currently set to print CMYK modes only and all RGB images will be converted, which can cause extreme shifts in color.  If you are unsure of any these details and how it relates to your graphic overlay you don't need to worry since we will be sending your a proof of your label and will give you the opportunity to provide us with any feedback or changes. The proof is sent within a day or two of receiving your online order.