Hi Guys, I am working on making a custom apron for my STTNG, and have 2 designs that I am going between. Just like the one you can buy from Europe I would put in some colored inserts and back-light it with LEDs. Please let me know which you think looks better, or what you would change.

I was trying to incorporate the stars that you find though-out the playfield instead of using 2 star trek symbols. Thought it would be cool to have the enterprise over the ball launch instead of a sticker. Also couldn't decide between centering the text on the main body of the apron, or under the flipper opening...

Apron 2:STTNG-APRON-2 (resized).jpg I would try to put the sticker back on the upper left.

Apron 3:STTNG-APRON-3 (resized).jpg

Was planning on using colored acrylic and LED strips, didn't realize the other one had EL paper. Is it just 2-sided taped under there?

Thanks for the comments and votes so far.

The other thing I didn't mention in the first post is that this apron is going to sit higher than the original in the machine, and match the angle the glass sits at. That will allow the chromed ball defector to be removed, more like the the apron in Sega and Stern games, I personally just think it looks cleaner.

Here is what I ended up with, after staring at it I decided I didn't like the Star trek symbol, and since the apron itself isn't symmetrical anything symmetrical in the upper 'triangles' didn't look right to me. So I did another starfield, and then strategically placed 4 of the small stars on the left side so an instruction card could be placed there if desired. I also had to move the Enterprise to the left to get it over the ball. On to finding some EL panels to light this thing!!
STTNG-APRON-3-STARS (resized).jpg

A few test fit pictures with the prototype piece (before powder-coat). White EL panel hasn't arrived yet for the lower lettering, but the blue looks great!

I have to move a few of the mounting holes and the left star pattern for my final piece.

Once complete the apron will sit at the same angle as the glass instead of the angle of the original apron.
20170308_194336 (resized).jpg
20170308_194516 (resized).jpg
20170308_194656 (resized).jpg

Final design laser cut and waiting for paint: 20170324_063435 (resized).jpg

Still waiting for powder-coat & the second EL panel to arrive, but put color change lighting into the stars on the prototype while I'm waiting.

Since it would be very difficult to get most people to agree on a color I plan on offering 2 options:

1-Black licorice wrinkle powder coating
2-Raw steel - paint/plate/powdercoat it to your own liking

With such a dark playfield, I don't know if many people would want super shinny, but it could be made chromed as you mentioned.

Here it is, back from powder-coat and with both EL panels installed. Just waiting on 1 more part and these will be ready!!!
Unlit:20170404_203108 (resized).jpg
Lit:20170404_203057 (resized).jpg
Close up of the powder-coat:20170404_203125 (resized).jpg

rubberducks - please take a look at the videos on post #25. The stars are going to be back-lit with Comet color change LEDs to give a nebula effect. Plus EL paper isn't the cheapest stuff.

I will have a few of these aprons ready to sell next week. PM me if interested.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/sttng-illuminated-apron

Yes, the transformer for the EL panels can handled 110-240 VAC - this would work no problem at that voltage.

A second run of STTNG is unlikely, but I may do an Addams if I have time this year.