What equipment/process is used to make glasses?

[robertwinter]

I'm trying to find out what process is used to make belly glasses, etc.  It's basically an image that is printed on a piece of vinyl or similar material and then affixed with adhesive to a piece of glass or plexi.

Anyone know what material is used, how is it printed (an on what equipment), what adhesive, etc?  And how do they attach it to the glass so that there are NO air bubbles?

[cruisepl]

I'm trying to find out what process is used to make belly glasses, etc.  It's basically an image that is printed on a piece of vinyl or similar material and then affixed with adhesive to a piece of glass or plexi.

Anyone know what material is used, how is it printed (an on what equipment), what adhesive, etc?  And how do they attach it to the glass so that there are NO air bubbles?

All of the glass both in machines and on my wall is screen printed with inks or paint for glass. None of my glass has anything resembling vinyl and adhesive.

[robertwinter]

All of the glass both in machines and on my wall is screen printed with inks or paint for glass. None of my glass has anything resembling vinyl and adhesive.

I'm looking at my iGame glass and there's definitely a layer of something applied to the backs of all the glasses.  The artwork may have been screened directly on the glass, but there is still some type of film applied to the back.  These are all original glasses.

And most topper inserts I have seen are definitely NOT screened.  They are plexi with artwork that has been applied to the back.  These are what I'm really interested in how it's done.

[stayouttadabunker]

The pinball guys make large pieces somehow for their machines called "translites"

[MrBellMan]

Yeah Robert! Don't you know what a translite is?   

What I would do is see your local sign maker. I know they use a process of printing directly to a translucent vinyl. How they attach it to glass or plastic, I'm not sure, but I do know they use this process. Will it look as good as the original? No. Is it better than nothing? Yes!

 I was just about to use this process for my Alien game, but found actual IGT glass at the last minute. Good luck!

Rob

[StatFreak]

I think that many of us would like to know the process. They print the artwork on a tough translucent vinyl of some kind, and definitely not on the glass. The trick seems to me to be how they adhere it (on the artwork-side) to the glass without any bubbling or tearing. The adhesive would have to be completely clear and remain that way.

I wonder if car clear tinting material would be a place to start?  I've had high-end tinting done (unlike cheap jobs) that was so good one couldn't even see the edge of the vinyl tint where it met the top of the side window. It looked like it was actually part of the glass, and the tint material never bubbled or clouded in the ten years that I owned the car (back window too). That's why I think the material could work. I don't know if it can be printed on, though.

[stayouttadabunker]

One thing for sure...it's white vinyl-like stuff...printers don't print "white"

[StatFreak]

One thing for sure...it's white vinyl-like stuff...printers don't print "white"

Actually, dye sublimation printers do, but you're right, the substrate is white. But it takes color well without giving the colors a washed out appearance.


Someone around here must know what they use...


EI would know, but they probably wouldn't tell us. Or maybe they would, since the equipment they use is very expensive.

[robertwinter]

The trick seems to me to be how they adhere it (on the artwork-side) to the glass without any bubbling or tearing. The adhesive would have to be completely clear and remain that way.

This is the part I'm most curious about.  I'm aware of translites since I'm a pinball guy, but translite colors tend to be muddy and washed out.  The stuff I'm seeing is very sharp and vivid.

Who is EI and how would I contact them?  Maybe I could have them do what I need to have done...

[jay]

I am sure if you took a piece of slot glass to any printer they could print orginal art work and adhere it to a piece of glass.
They do this for backlit signs all the time which are usually adhered to plexy.
Most from what I have seen would prefer you to bring in your own glass so perhaps a stop at a local glass shop to get a couple of pieces cut to size.
The other thing about commerical printers is that they are picky about their grapics files and usually like Vector Images vs JPEG or other formats.
Infranview is a good program (free) to convert between graphic formats.

EI = Express Imaging and is located in Vegas.
EI will produce orginal artwork, for you.
You can count on it being about 60-70/sheet + shipping.
They won't do reproductions since they got their hands slapped about 2 years ago.

[knagl]

Who is EI and how would I contact them?

Express Imaging, Las Vegas.   

[StatFreak]

Here is their number if you're interested. As Jay said, they will only do original artwork; no copyrighted material.

However, they have several options ranging from selling you designs of their own, to taking your finished artwork and printing it, to helping you create your own design, or even designing something for you based on your idea.

Their glass is excellent. Their strips are good to very good, but not great. Just stay away from the sparkle strips; those are sub-standard. I have never bought backlit strips from them, so I can't comment on those.

702) 319-2777 office. Unless things have changed, you'll probably be dealing with Robyn.


<ADD>Hmm. I didn't see your post knagl. The sales position reads TBA, so maybe Robyn's gone.