Custom Print Design - Straight on Plastic

g2 · Post by g2 » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:24 pm

Hey I have question for all you customizers (or anyone else who might know).

Is there a process, where you can print directly onto a Lego torso and/or head without using stickers or decals. I have been pondering this question for some time now, and I have conducted many searches using Google, but I have not found any adequate answers.

Today I came across this ebay listing which states that the custom torso is printed directly onto the plastic, and it does seem possible.

I would dearly like to know more about this process; like what equipment was used, and how much will it cost, and what the limitations are.

Also does anyone know who this person is? From the ebay listing, it appears he/she is located in South Africa.

Thanks

DARKspawn · Post by **DARKspawn** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:58 pm

Hiya, George

Check out this article over on MCN

I have a feeling this thread is going to migrate soon

wunztwice · Post by **wunztwice** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:52 am

Yeah, but the auction also says it wasn't a decal, it was printed directly to the torso. If this is true and the process isn't too expensive it might jsut partially convert me to a "print customizer."

DARKspawn · Post by **DARKspawn** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:06 am

oh, I see. Oops, sorry about that. That would be quite a feat!

wunztwice · Post by **wunztwice** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:07 am

DARKspawn wrote:oh, I see. Oops, sorry about that. That would be quite a feat!

No worries!!!

g2 · Post by g2 » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:19 am

wunztwice wrote:... convert me to a "print customizer."

That is fantastic terminology. – I love it.

Now, how do you print directly onto the ABS plastic? It should be a similar process to how businesses create those promotional pens and key chains and other useless trinkets. These must be done on the cheap end somehow!!!

Can you tell, that the frustration of not knowing how to do it, has set in.

Recluce · Post by **Recluce** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:21 am

Yeah, this person has access not only to machines to make ABS accessories but also to a printer that essentially screen prints the stuff like Lego does. His name is Christo and I have been told his stuff is high quality. However, I prefer not to buy fully finished figs, and certainly not for prices like that. If I'm going to pay that or more the fig had better be hand crafted. Also, many of his figs and accessories are available in a "DIY" form in the US (my helmets, Jared's decals, etc.).

Post by **JoshWedin** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:38 am

DARKspawn wrote:I have a feeling this thread is going to migrate soon

And you would be right.

Josh

kelderic · Post by **kelderic** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:33 am

Wow, more than twenty for on fig, you are right, Recluce, this is way to expensive to buy.

Kelderic

MaxiVisVires · Post by **MaxiVisVires** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:00 am

Whoa, this guy buys from me on BrickLink. Geeez! This looks great!

supernova · Post by **supernova** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:29 am

regarding this guy and his aution (ok.. maybe its a her

), I have seen some of his stuff in ebay and they really go for quite a bit. ki adi mundi usually go for nearly $40!! (but the minifig is really cool)

if what he claims is true (though) (ie no decal), then the quality of his custom must be like lego's minifigs and the added bonus of being able to "play" with the minifig results in the higher price. But I would just wait for lego to release these minifigs

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:26 pm

That would be cool. It would save all of the hassle for resizing your photos decals.

Kaminoan · Post by **Kaminoan** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:05 pm

Guys the process is called off-set printing. It is kind of like screen printing. Basically you need high volume to make it affordable. Christo is selling volume on eBay and that is why he can afford to do it, however if you look at the total number of different figures he is offering it is only like 8 or so from what I can tell. This is the limitation. You can't really economically create one or two. If you want more information on the process, do a on off set printing, or I will be nice and give you this link: http://science.howstuffworks.com/offset-printing.htm This one is for printing paper, but the process is essentially the same.

Kaminoan

Damien · Post by **Damien** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:11 pm

nd the added bonus of being able to "play" with the minifig results in the higher price.

You can get that from waterslide decals as well, however. I cover my decal applications with two coats of clear nail sealer and one coat of Testors Dullcote -- and nothing short of a steak knife can ruin the print after that. Indeed, I've sent custom minifigs to my nephew and all of his are still in perfect shape. If a . . 9? year old can't damage them, they must be pretty capable of holding up.

wunztwice · Post by **wunztwice** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:33 pm

Kaminoan wrote:Guys the process is called off-set printing. It is kind of like screen printing. ... This one is for printing paper, but the process is essentially the same.

Kaminoan

Thanks for the link Kaminoan! I might look into this, and if not, it's neat to know how it's done at least.