OK, Pinsiders…I want to run something by you. A little while ago, my friend, who has a printing factory, bought a $175,000 machine for a job. He asked me what else we could create using this machine.

When he told me what it could do, I immediately thought of Pinball. He can direct print on plexiglass (or just about anything) and cut to fit. Plexiglass up to 2 inches thick! So I said, lets try to make a plexi back glass…then plastics, speaker panels, or anything else for a Pinball Machine.

We decided to run a few tests. I took a bunch of Creature From the Black Lagoon foreign and domestic posters from the 50's and separated a bunch of elements. Then I put them together in a size that would fit a Pinball Backglass.

As I was doing this I realized…Hey, wouldn't it be neat to put myself and my wife in there. Then I said….whoa!…we can customize ANYTHING! Imagine T2 with your own disintegrating face in there…or Tron with your girlfriend. Anyway, you get the idea.

The inks used are UV protected and these plexiglass images can even be used outside or in direct sunlight and still last VERY long.

I tried the Creature test back glass in a machine to check for fit and density of inks. You need it to light up nice without the bulbs showing through. The first test we tried just the ink without a background of white. No good, you could still see faded bulbs. When we put white paper behind it, it looked just fine. We will be printing out another test this week.

My question is…..is this something you guys could use? What would be a good price point?
Don't forget…you could make up YOUR OWN custom files and they could be printed and cut for a back glass, plastics, speaker panel, etc.

AND, we can also make 3D art. One plexi panel with an image on the back and another bolted to the front to make a cool art piece to frame and put on the wall, or a light box!

You guys may have other ideas. Let me know and I'll see if it's possible.

PLEX CUSTOM ART may be coming soon! ….who needs breakable glass when we have plexiglass!

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Colors were fantastic. We just need to see how much white to use.
If you blow up one of the 2nd Creature pix you can get an idea of the quality. It's as good as the file.

That other Thread about needing a Mars God of War backglass…… should be no problem as long as we have the art files...

Thanks Vyzer. Yes, being able to make any custom back glass is neat. It's 1/8 inch thick and all you need is the one piece. You slip it into the "lifting thingy" on the bottom and slide it right in. (and no more broken glass)

YES! We can have you driving your own car on there!

[I have to run a few errands, but will check this when I get back] THANKS GUYS!

Yes, that could be done. We will be testing stuff all next week.

No problem!

Can you get me an art file?

Here's the Creature backglass with me in the bottom right picture. (with cigar!)
The TOP right picture we can put in whatever you want. Your company logo, or use your imagination...

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Yes…you digital gurus can create whatever you want and just give me the files.

rkahr ----do you mean print on the glass itself? I have to ask about that…

We can do that too!

Yes, that would look great!

Probably. Max 2 inches thick. hmmmmm

No problem!

There has been a lot of interest and we're trying to figure out a good price point as Plexi is not cheap. Do you think $149 is ok?

Excellent! Thanks!! This is gonna be fun!

Thanks for all the PM's guys!

A few questions I will try to answer.
If we can print on glass.
If we can fill in images on an existing backglass.
Stay tuned....
I'll also do a Podcast about all the stuff we're thinking about....

It can be made either from the original art or a custom job

Yes, a few people have written to me about this. The letters could always be moved. I just have to overlay mine with the original and line up the letters.

Ok...now we just gotta figure out plastics and speaker panels...

Pretty big...but let me find out...

Probably!

We can print up to 48”x 96” x2” thick.

This one is from the original Lobby Title Card. (I removed the credits on the bottom and had to adjust slightly to fit the backglass size) I can use any of the cards though. The only other good one is the Creature in the water...

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Yeah!

Yes....doing a test now with a layer of white.

ALSO: Just been confirmed...A Playfield CAN be printed on wood as long as it's smooth and not more than 2 inches thick!

I gotta tell the Forbidden Planet guys this!!

I will certainly ask the question. You can print on a mirror...

My friend is checking into whats available...

He also said there are some pretty cool acrylics that are very strong and some in colors, etc….

Absolutely! I'm working on a Creature 3D panel as we speak!

As long as it fits the size, it can be printed on. (sizes above)

Yes, he's ready. The response so far has been great....

Working on a "plastics" job now....let's see what happens...

How thick is a playfield?

Great! As long as it's 2 inches or less. Wanna re-theme your game? Sand, smooth and print. Then coat.

Now, come on...would this be a great backglass, or what?

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$150 is what we're starting at for the backglasses. Also good if you have a rare one and want a spare to use that won't break!
Working on 3 projects now. I'll report here how it goes.....

Is there a reason playfield glass is used instead of acrylic? Does it distort to look through?

I don't know. My buddy told me there are different strength acrylic. I'll ask him how durable it would be with a ball strike...thanks!

So you don't think it's worth looking into?

Want your own Pinball Toppers? You do the graphics, I'll print em...

Got ya! Thanks!

Thanks! It's really great that all you Graphic Design Genius Guys/Gals can make up your own custom stuff, send the files and get it made...

…and fun!

Yup. And also using a lot of combo items from foreign and domestic posters from the 50's.

Working on a plastics job today. Hopefully I'll have a few pix....

Playing around with 2 level acrylic art panels….

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Good idea! ANYTHING can be done. Got any ideas?

Cool ideas!! Thanks!
Here is another Creature Concept using the real Creature!

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Good idea! You have the art?

Thanks!

Thanks. We're working on a few things for people right now...and still doing some testing.
Found out it might be better to coat the backglasses (back) with a layer of white vinyl instead of just printing a layer of white.
stay tuned!

A few tests came in today. Some plastics, a speaker panel....and another project...
Have to work out a couple other things....

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It's a vinyl backing. He's going to print a layer of white before the vinyl. He also has another way of cutting....He'll get there...

Yes. He was trying to just use the vinyl backing the way they do it on pinball backglasses. Wasn't sure if the white ink would be thick enough. Still testing stuff...but it's exciting....

Delivered a few plastics and speaker panels. Still testing with backglasses, but should be ok soon.

Believe me...I'm trying. My printing guy has lots of other stuff to do, so I get in when I can....

Cool. Send the scan. I'll try it next printing.

Here are the speaker panels...

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Excellent! Glad it worked out.
Yeah, when I saw the still pic of the animation, I figured that would make a cool avatar!

A few people wanted backglasses, but didn't send the art. I can also make custom backglasses with whatever art you want. Or put you in the picture. I was hoping to have some for Allentown, but everything made was sent out.

Here is the pic, snake...

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My pleasure! The backglasses came out great too!

Been using vinyl backing.

I believe so. Already did a few plastics sets and speaker panels.

As long as they can supply the art, it can be printed on plexi.

Well, my friend took on a bunch of other jobs for the machine that will take him through July. There was simply not much interest here. (I think 4 orders, plastics, speaker cover and backglass) I thought there would be orders for a hundred custom plexi backglasses within a week. Shows what I know!

hah! We had the thought at the same time. You are probably correct....at the time it was just a concept...
I took the Creature backglass to the Chiller convention and people went nuts.

Well, my guy is busy until after July, so we'll see what happens. Thanks for the reminder.

It was $150 starting for the backglass and I don't remember the other stuff. I'll try to get some kind of price list together when he's done with the other job.

As soon as he finishes the other job (end of July) PM your request and email and I'll forward it to him.

Not sure what "coin tubes" are ....but if they are real tubes, I don't think so....just flat stuff...

He would need some kind of guide. Remember, these are not "pinball people." I will put people directly in contact with him after July.

I don't have files for anything except the custom back glasses I've made up myself.

Hi. Never got as far as getting a price list. Only did a few jobs.
The "chipping" wasn't on the plastic, it was the vinyl on the back that was flaking. Yes, been solved.

I think it can print on just about anything as long as it's flat and the size I quoted somewhere in this thread.
Not sure how they are cut. I'll ask everything when I meet with my buddy after July.
Pretty much any format as long as it's as high rez as you can get and actual size. I mean anything will work…it's just how good you want the resolution.

Let me find out. There was so little response to this that my guy took another big job for the machine. I think the plexi backglasses were $150.
I'll find out what his current status is.

For sure. When he first asked me, I told him probably hundreds of people would like a custom plexiglass backglass. In months we made 4 and 2 were my samples!

Hi. Yes...at first i was just looking for help, guidance, and I did make a few samples. Only heard from a few people.
I really thought people would like the custom stuff. Putting themselves, wives, girlfriends, kids, etc on the backglass.
And don't forget, this is really not a job for me. I was just trying to help when my friend got the machine.
Anyway, thanks for all the kind help. I'll see what happens.

Aurich, yes, let's chat and see what we can come up with.

I thought you all would like to see my new iPhone case!

You can get them here from Morgan...but they sell out QUICK!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MorgansMutations?ref=hdr_shop_menu

There was a bunch...only 3 left!

No problem. Yeah, his stuff usually sells out the same day no matter how many he puts up. I requested a custom order and bribed him.

You're probably right, vid!