Currently available PM for more info

I've seen some machines with custom sideboard decals and if done right I think it really adds to the art so I decided to have a go with my TSPP.

Here's my Simpsons Pinball Party with custom sideboard decals. Took over 40 hours to complete the artwork for left and right side. Artwork was produced from scratch at 300 dpi and then printed out and fully laminated for scratch resistance. Was easy to fit without having to remove the playfield - just lifted up and carefully stuck in.

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Thanks for kind words. So much work went into them as I didn't just want a copy and paste job so all artwork had to be done from scratch.

The printer advised me to have them coated with their laminate coating but it still won't stop tears if you catch them with something sharp while lifting your playfield. They do seem to be a lot stronger than others I have tried so I think it's worth the extra cost. I haven't had any problems so far and they stick down really well so I imagine they will last for ages. I also lightly sanded the sides of my playfield just to make sure they are extra smooth with nothing to catch them while lifting.

They are very easy to install - my wife did them while I held up the playfield. Basically you can balance the playfield on the front of the machine lifting it right up and forward. Then you can stick them in with a clear view. You have to cut them a little at the back because stern have fitted blocks of wood at back edges that stick out. So she just got a sharp knife and put a little cut in the decals and wrapped them around the wood. The trick is to get them all lined up from the back to the front before giving them a good press down to stick - if you lightly press down to start with you can peel them back and re-adjust if necessary. To be honest she's fitted a few now and makes it look easy. I would say it took about 5 mins tops to fit.

I can ship anywhere so long as you have a registered paypal address.

if anybody would like a set PM me with your email details etc and I'll try and make a list and see what I can do printing cost wise if there's enough people wanting them. If you could let me know where you are in the world so I can work out shipping costs too cause that might be a factor. I guess they would have to ship in some sort of cardboard tube rolled up for safety.

I don't want to sell these commercially so it would be on a donation basis not for resale.

Hi Nepi23

I tried putting felt and things like that on the playfield edges but actually found it made it worse as the gap was too small and it would catch on the decals. Just sanding seemed the best or you could try insulating tape I guess on the playfield edges. I'll try and take a picture of how I positioned the playfield for installation if I can persuade the wife again

Hi Nepi23

No you don't need wet method with these. The adhesive allows them to be adjusted before a final press down - just apply edges lightly and line it all up and then give it a good rub down. My wife lines up decals to top and of sides starting at back and then works her way down. She does the final bit at the back last cutting them to fit round the blocks of wood that are sticking out - sort of wrap around effect - you just have to cut them a little so they can wrap around bottom and fit around top. Why stern put them there I've know idea. You can peel them off again if need be without any sticky residue so it's not permanent or going to ruin your machine. It's good stuff.

Thanks guys for the feedback. The moes tavern decal for the back of the machine does look a good idea as I don't like what stern have done there anyway.

Would you be thinking a direct copy of the scene based on that mod that would replace the original stern sticker?

Hopefully everybody who is interested in them has heard from me, so if you haven't please message again.

I'm not taking anymore requests at the moment, so if you haven't already expressed interest, I'll let you know in this thread if I plan on doing anymore.

My long suffering partner helped me make some tutorials for fitting the decals. She says if anybody wants to pay for a 1st class ticket over to the states and a couple of weeks in a hotel, she'll gladly come out and fit them.

Seriously, they are quite easy to do, even though Stern added some blocks of wood at the back to make life fun.

Before installation of decals, I like to check the playfield raises and lowers easily without catching or scraping along the sides. I rubbed the side edges of the playfield down with some light sandpaper to make sure they were smooth and checked no metal or wires were sticking out - there shouldn't be anyway. You have a few mills clearance each side so as long as you don't try to put the playfield back in at an angle, there is no problem with decals.

First raise the playfield right out by balancing on the front - don't forget to remove your balls!

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Next start at the back of the machine and line up the decal - remember it is going to bend round the wood and be cut in place. You don't have to stick the whole sticker down yet, so leave some of the sticker backing on and just press down lightly halfway to the front until you have the back sorted.

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Now take a very sharp knife and using the bottom of the block of wood as a guide, cut a line to allow the decal to wrap round. Once that's all lined up, you can work back down the machine to the front. When everything looks good, give it a rub down with a soft cloth. As they are laminated, you can always wipe them down if need be with a dry cloth - shouldn't need any cleaner.

Remember to carefully lower the playfield down straight when you've fitted the decals as anything sharp - like a splinter of wood or something sharp will cut them.

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Maybe i should explain better. You slide it up to first position - so it clicks ready to be tipped back and the metal is balance on the lockbar. Instead of tipping back to rest on the backbox. Just grab the playfield underneath at the rear - just use fingers and avoid any wiring etc. Then you can lift it up and right up carefully balancing on the front lockbar. It's not too bad weight wise once you have it just above level as it balances itself.

We tried sliding forwards, installing part of the decals, then tipping back to rest on backbox and installing the rest but it is so much easier this way if you can get someone to hold it while you install. I think it is only way to do it actually because you don't want to be lifting and lowering playfield until they are fully stuck down.

I guess you could remove them but then there would be a big hole between back and sides I think. I presume Stern put them on to close the gap in the corners. They looked to be glued and screwed also so it might cause more damage taking them off.

No need to sand cabinet. They stick well. In fact the glue is perfect as it allows some repositioning/peel back before a good firm press down. Even then they come off again without too much trouble and don't seem to leave any residue. I've stuck about 8 sets on my TSPP with all the alignment checks and messing about without issue.

I guess you could sand the cabinet sides lightly before as there are little imperfections that come from factory or maybe your machine has suffered some cabinet damage during its life. It is worth checking because my machine was virtually nib when I got it and hadn't been out on site so cabinet was perfect.

These are not the same although the images do look very similar in places as elements are based on stock web art you can find on google. Instead of trying to use low resolution stock art and patch it all together, blow it up in photoshop and print out, I decided everything had to be drawn and coloured by hand from scratch at the correct resolution for printing. It was a huge task to get them right so they look like part of the game and actually match the quality of the art already there. Stern did a fabulous job in my opinion on the playfield and layout.

I don't want to step on anyones toes, especially Pinball Decals because they do some good stuff and the service is excellent, but I think folks will appreciate the quality, detail and effort that went into these.

Coming back from printers mid week - just doing labels now. So will start sending out end of next all being well.
There are going to be a couple of sets spare if anybody missed out and wants some.

On a side note, I just beat my highscore after a lousy week of scores. Was on ball 3 and thought it was gonna be another disappoint and then it all just fell together. I'm determined to lock 5 balls one day and vanquish those pesky aliens. Run, he's got a board with a nail in it..... That line never gets old. Might have to make a decal just for that somewhere.

Just completed some backboard decals thanks to ideas and suggestions pinsiders made. Pretty pleased how they turned out and the difference it has made to the machine. That's what great about pinside - all the fabulous ideas pinballers come up with.

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/tspp-simpsons-pinball-party-backboard-decals#post-1256967

Some have gone but I can check or work something out. I know some people are just happy with the sides and not bothered about the back but I'll see what I can do if anyone wants to do the same as me.

Love to see some pics when you do install.

Have sent pm - sorry I missed you.

I'm glad some have already received theirs and if you haven't don't panic. I had a slight issue waiting for postal tubes from a company on ebay that forgot to send them out which has caused a delay but it's all been sorted now.

They are designed to go around the wood so I wouldn't remove them. In this thread there are some installation pics that should help.

You shouldn't need to remove the blocks at all and they will look better if you fit them around as it will prevent gaps. If you get them installed around blocks of wood first and then work down.

Get in touch jimb if you need a replacement and I'll sort something out - I have a set of seconds that's out at the bottom but it shouldn't matter because the area will be below play field. I'll sort something out anyway as hate to think of your machine without now.

That's a great idea using wood elf man. Better not let the wife see that or she'll make me fit them myself

It won't go right down to the front because of the flipper electronics, buttons etc and it was proving difficult trying to cut it out around them and align everything. While there shouldn't be any variances between machines I decided it was not worth the risk. So You have to install from the back to the front and they should finish about an inch from where the bolts are at the front

Thanks for all the great photos guys. Love the aliens and car mod - what a great idea.

There should have been a white plastic cap on that! Fancy them opening them and not putting it back up. Customs for you.

Cheers Jim.

Anybody wanting some Just pm me and I'll do my best. I currently have 1 set left.

Those are pretty amazing joe. What a great idea for the mini play field. Now I want a family guy just to put those decals on! That's how it should have come from the factory.

Some great install pics. Well done to all and thanks for sharing them.

Hasn't family guy been done? I would like to own that machine so if I get one I will do decals for it. Seems to be quite a rare machine around these parts.

Currently doing them for my MB, so that will be the next to show.

PM me and I'll do my best if you missed out on TSPP.

Once they are stuck heat shouldn't be a problem but dang that is hot! I would think humidity would be more of a problem. They adhesive is commercial quality used in signs so it should withstand a good deal of abuse. I would try to install in a cool spot - maybe at night when it is cooler and less humid? Once they are stuck they should be sealed though so I can't see this being a problem.

MB will be ready this week - just fitted first prototype and adjusting colours to get the max now. Had to stop to play a few games though

Yeah for sure. Acutally it seems easier as there is a bit of play between sides of playfield - well on mine at least. So you can angle it up and push to one side while you fit. Just gives you enough to slide them in and adjust. Would be interesting to see if others are like this.

Looking good with those mods. I like the bus and the duff flasher. Really sets it all off.

I haven't had that happen on mine but we don't experience the extremes of temps over here. You could always use a bit of spot glue on any points should this happen. It also worth checking the cabinet sides are very clean and dust free when installing. Maybe a wipe down with a damp cloth, let it dry and then fit. It's amazing what dust accumulates in a cabinet even though it looks clean.

I think Cheesewhisper is the best advice. That should be enough prep work to get a good install. Main thing is to make sure sides are clean and dry.

Yeah I think Addams family would be good. I'd have to rewatch the films - hes quite the lady killer - Gomez replies "acquitted". Some good humour in them from memory.

Had a few spare run off with mb due to interest if anybody wants them.

Yes the installation example on page 2 should give help to those wondering what to do with the blocks of wood stern put in. I didn't want to remove them otherwise it would have left a bit of a gap at back. So the decals are designed to be stuck around and then cut along bottom.

Sorry for not spotting your question earlier but thanks to domijr for coming to the rescue

If stuck correctly they should be quite tough to pull off but I wonder if there was some dust or maybe something on the cabinet sides that prevented them getting a good grip. Mine have been on for months without any signs of peeling so I'm guessing something's prevented proper grip. You should be able to use some semi permanent glue to stick the corner back on - just done use super glue or anything too tough.

Thanks guys. Rubbing alcohol is a good idea. Dust is the enemy so it s important to get them clean and smooth for the ultimate finish.

Got the final proof back for the speaker panel and really pleased with it so will be updating that thread soon and emailing folks who said they were interested.

Finished. Got them back yesterday and updated thread. I will be emailing folks soon who expressed interest. Also have some side decals due to over ordering on my part if anybody still wants them.

Thanks Reg. That's very kind of you to take time to post.

Yes guys - all gone out now. Apologies for the delay but the printers had an issue with their laminator so it took longer than usual. They've all gone out on express service anyway - the quickest one we have over here so it's just down to customs now - hopefully they will sail through!

Click on my pinside and then look for pinsidemail. If you also hove your mouse over anyones pic/avatar it brings up a PM link - private message

It is odd as mine has plenty of room for the decal. Is it possible to adjust ramp - just thinking it might be like on star trek were you can loosen screws and move it slightly?

It's great to see folks getting lots of enjoyment out of them and thanks for the awesome vid domijr. That really shows them off well and what a beauty of a machine.

Let me know if you need a replacement - I have some spares just for this. I don't know why they don't fix playfields so they can't move about from side to side when lifting as even without decals it is possible to scratch the black sides of the cabinet if you are not careful.

Yeah VUKs are a problem - had to replace both of mine even though it probably had only a 100 plays or so on it from when I got it. Not had any trouble since though.

Yes I have some spare if anybody still wants some.

Spray adhesive is a good idea. The key I have found is to make sure sides are clean and dust free as the adhesive should stick well on it's own but like anything it needs a good surface to stick too. I would only use the adhesive on the corners if needed and make sure it does allow you to peel back off - don't want anything too permanent glue wise.

Lovely to meet you guys. I got a fantastic Tiny Pin model of TSPP with working sounds and lights in exchange

Thanks for the feedback Jeffs. I didn't extend them past the apron because of the flipper, screws, wires etc around that location. There is so little room there when I tried it, it made them fiddly to cut/stick and instead of machine cutting they would have had to be done by hand which would have increased the cost. For the artwork space there and the details that could be fitted, I decided it was best to just take it up as far as possible to the apron so they could be precisely machine cut (hand cutting never looks as good).

I'm not sure what the gap is in pink colour. Could you post a pic up?

I can see from the vid you are very adept at modding so a couple of solutions come to mind. I guess you could print some solid colours on photo paper - maybe semi matt and stick them on so they butt up to the others if you do not like the finish as they are. Or maybe cutt the decals back a bit so the line up with the start of the apron so that the area around the apron is all black. This would leave the artwork just matching up with the playfield.

I will try to revisit this in the future when I have finished current projects to see if I can offer a better solution for you if these are no good.

Regards the gap - I think you are referring to the gap between the backboard and cabinet sides - were the two sides of wood meet. I might be wrong but this is the natural space Stern provided so that the playfield slides in and out and there isn't anything to actually stick on this. If you curved the stickers around so they stuck on the backboard and bridged the gap, you would not be able to take out the playfield without ruining the stickers? On some machines this is quite tight so the gap is fairly flush but on the Simpsons it seems it is more pronounced due to how they designed it.

It's a beautiful looking Simpsons Jeffs - love the mods you have put on it. I haven't seen the school bus mod before and it looks fantastic with the lights. Did you make this?

Thanks Domijr for the pics - they clear it up beautifully for me. Apologies for the mistake on the video but you have a beautiful TSPP machine

Getting the TSPP decals to fit reasonably with the artwork and oddities on the backboard area was a bit of a pain - why does it have blocks of wood sticking out? You don't want to know how many decals I burned up fiddling with the positioning of artwork and cuts I tried to keep them as peel and stick as much as possible as I imagined not everyone would want to start fiddling with lots of cutting. So yes it is not perfect but hopefully the overall effect is still pleasing.

Some sets finally arrived from the printers today after a long wait while they had their machines fixed. So speaker panels and sides will be going out tomorrow for those that pre-ordered. There are a couple outstanding full sets but I have ordered plenty of spares now which should be ready towards the end of next week.

Apologies for the delays and thanks for everybody who has waited patiently to get them.

No mods to size - the decals finish just past apron so no cutting required as before. I'm going to try this on LOTR with a new template (either mirror blade style or cutting required to fit ). Don't worry Jeff, as soon as I have something new, I will let you know

I sent out another pink background sticker, so hopefully it has arrived.

Ah it's my pleasure and thanks for all the ideas. I'm still fairly new to the pinball hobby but I'm amazed at the passion, knowledge, ideas and great mods out there, so I'm just glad I can contribute in a small way and give something back.

Thanks for pics guys. Look great

I have had a few requests for some more which I don't plan to do at this time but I have a few left - 8 full sets with speaker panel if anybody still wants them.
PM and I'll do my best to get some out to you.

Thanks guys. Some sets should be arriving soon so please be patient and I'll contact everyone who left me an email address via pm.

Yep I have a few spare now so feel free to pm me if you missed out before.

Sorry guys mother mother was recently diagnosed with cancer and I have not been able to get on pinside lately.

Someone kindly sent me a message saying folks would like some more sets, so please pm me and I will get some to you asap.
I do have some spare sets available.

The decals should be with you according to tracking weasel. Did they arrive safely?

Glad to hear the decal arrived safely. Love the custom cover. I want one!
Going to have to ask the better half nicely

Yeah sure shoot me a pm

Sorry pinballer73 i must have missed it. Pm your details again and I'll sort it.

Next week Ric, I'll get a set on the way. Thanks

You are most welcome. Enjoy.

No problem. I have some sets available at the moment.

I love that yellow apron. Is that powdered coated or a custom plastic one?

Wow that is awesome. Thanks

Yeah looks like a must have
Powdered coated my machine yellow and was thinking about getting a metal apron done but this looks so much nicer.

Cool. Give the speaker panel a go - you can always remove if it doesn't grow on you

Hey thanks for your order PinballBJB - they have been dispatched.

Regards your question Matt. Some people put them over the bolts, others cut round them (take out bolts, fit decals, cut hole for bolts in decal and refit).

I actually drilled my cabinet out a little with a wood spade bit so they the bolts sit flush and then the decals go over without trouble. It works really well.

Nice. Glad to see they finally got installed Enjoy it's a great game.

What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Looks like a must have with or without decals

When I have stock you can but them on pinside

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1073-sillyoldelf-mods/01072-the-simpson-pinball-party-cabinet-5x-decals-super-package