Toner transfer as pseudo screen print?

Mr. G. · Post by **Mr. G.** » 30 Mar 2009, 21:10

Would there be any problems with using the toner transfer method on a painted enclosure as sort of a pseudo screen print job? Would you need to use a high-temperature type of paint? Would the toner even stick to the paint? Would the clear coat stick to the toner?

I'm sure it would just be easier to get some clear decal type of label, but it's something that popped in my head. So, I thought I'd ask if it can be done. Anybody ever try it?

JiM · Post by **JiM** » 30 Mar 2009, 21:56

I've seen that toner transfer is sometimes used as a "silkscreen" on component side of PCB. It's just black instead of white.
I can't see a reason for it not to work on enclosures also ... like these etched ones: https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic ... 442#p39442

Mr. G. · Post by **Mr. G.** » 31 Mar 2009, 00:23

I'll probably give it a try on one of my "temporary/test" enclosures first. I was mainly just worried about messing up the paint from the heat of the iron.

HydrozeenElectronics · Post by **HydrozeenElectronics** » 31 Mar 2009, 00:36

That's a good idea, I hope some one tries it and lets us know.

JudgeMingus · Post by **JudgeMingus** » 17 Feb 2011, 06:46

I have done this once on a PedalPartsPlus prepainted enclosure.

The surface of the enclosure needs to be very flat to iron onto well.

Also - the press+peel blue layer came off on the enclosure too!
It did clean off with methylated spirits (toner was fine), leaving the finish dulled where it had adhered.

The clear coat hid the dullness perfectly, though. It also crazed, but I think it was a poor choice of clear coat.

arcaarca · Post by **arcaarca** » 24 Mar 2011, 17:23

Hi,
I've made tone transfer using a gloss sheet of paper from a magazine. I use it like press'n'peel paper and I iron it on my enclosure for 4-5 minutes.
Here's the results:
https://img194.imageshack.us/f/zcout2.jpg/
http://www.fennecelectronics.it/smf/ind ... 7783;image

I protect the transfer with a transparent adhesive.

monkeyxx · Post by **monkeyxx** » 07 Jul 2011, 05:20

I have tried this a couple times on PAINTED enclosures with bad results. the hot iron screws up spray paint or powdercoat very quickly. I would recommend keeping this method to bare metal enclosures, like the one pictured above, or a really distressed paint job that's already screwed up looking anyway. This has been my experience, anyway.

I also have a hard time getting the glossy clear layer of photo paper to come off of the surface...I will have to try the methylated spirits trick next time to see if that helps, thanks for the tip

SpeckStudio · Post by **SpeckStudio** » 11 Nov 2011, 01:05

I'm actually about to try this tonight. I'll let you know how it goes... Or fails, haha.

SpeckStudio · Post by **SpeckStudio** » 11 Nov 2011, 01:17

Yeah. Total fail, no go on a painted box. The paint preferred to adhere to the paper before the toner transferred.

JudgeMingus · Post by **JudgeMingus** » 11 Nov 2011, 06:06

I have had a few more tries with this on powdercoated Pedal Parts Plus boxes.

The results have been mixed - it always leaves the paint matt in places, but some finishes come up pretty well if a clear coat is added over the top.

The worst problem is using press+peel blue leaves blue traces in the finish which cannot be hidden.

I am going to try removing the excess blue with methylated spirits before ironing next time...