Quoted from PinPatch:Sandwich the new playfield design between two pieces playfield protector. Totally reversible and would be hard wearing.
This approach really boils down to - apply decal to top of a playfield protector, install and add another playfield protector on top to protect that right? I am thinking the added thickness would require new screws and bolts for anything bolting to the pf.
A better alternative might be to reverse print the decal so you could add it on the bottom side of a protector facing upward, and then install the single protector. If someone were planning to install a playfield protector anyways, then adding one with a decal is only a negligible amount of additional work. Really an hour to prep and install the decal, right? If they hadn't planned to add a playfield protector but to have their machine shopped (or shop it themselves) then this should also only add a nominal amount of time.
How much do people spend on a new playfield, about $600? If there are multiple levels or if you miss out on pre-order list and have to buy on the secondary market it could run over $1,200. Now if there was a decal + protector available for $600 and I could order it whenever I wanted (such that my price would never again relate to the $1,200 possibility), then this option might be quite appealing. And if an installer was willing to add it into shop job for another 150, you could argue that recovering your playfield was not an overly expensive fix. What's more it is totally reversible.
Would half of the people currently ordering new playfields order this product instead? Would a new market of buyers develop also? This is shaping up to be a cool idea already.