For the best results, we recommend having your art printed professionally at your local printer
or office supply store. This should cost less than $3.00. Tell them you want the image to be
approximately 8x11 on the 11x17 paper. Measure the acrylic top to make sure 8x11 is just a
little bigger than the acrylic so you can trim the art to fit.
We always suggest
customers wait to have their art printed until they have purchased and received their case as each case is slightly
different given their handmade-nature. Also, we advise customers to print a black and white test copy first to
ensure the art lines up with the acrylic top panel as desired before printing the art in color or having it printed
professionally. This step is especially important when using clear arcade buttons. Click
here for a jpeg download
of our button layout.
To Prepare Your Printed Art:
Now you are ready to cut out the art, holding the acrylic firmly in place cut out the
perimeter on the art using a razor blade. Carefully run the blade along the outside edge of
the acrylic top.
On a stable surface, put the art on top of a piece of cardboard and place the case’s acrylic
top over the art. Move the acrylic around on the art until you are satisfied with how your
art appears under the top panel layout. Remember that you will be cutting out the art in the joystick
and button holes.
Next, place the trimmed art inside the case and put the acrylic top over the art. Using a craft knife,
carefully cut out the joystick and button holes. Use the acrylic and top panel holes as support and a guide
for your blade. Exercise caution on the joystick hole as the acrylic will be the only thing supporting the
blade.
TROUBLESHOOTING: My art has dark spots around the buttons, what should I do?
This is most likely caused by pressure being applied to your printed art from an over-tightened
button squeezing down on the acrylic. First try loosening the offending button nut. If that does
not work, the culprit may be the use of glossy paper for your art; you may be able to
eliminate this problem by having your art printed on matte paper rather than glossy.
Using Clear Buttons?
If you are using clear buttons on your stick and are interested in installing art into the buttons there
is a great tutorial at the SRK Tech Talk forums here.
