A regular sign-maker (look them up in a phone book) can print graphics for you 
on adhesive-backed vinyl.  You supply a graphics file.  Single-color 
printing, for approx 8 sq in. has cost me a few dollars each in qty. 50.  
Then can definitely do color, but I'm not sure of prices in that case.  The 
printing process is pretty robust, but you can stick a layer of clear vinyl 
over this for extra protection.

Alternatively, Avery makes clear adhesive-backed printer sheets, which I use 
on an inkjet printer for home-made PCB's.  IIRC they also have some white 
sheets for bumper stickers, but I've not used those.

Cheers,
-Neil.




On Monday 08 May 2006 07:29, Spehro Pefhany wrote:
> At 03:26 AM 5/8/2006 -0700, you wrote:
> > >> "Kev Pearce (kevp.com)" <lists@kevp.com> wrote:  Hi,
> > >>
> > >> I'm very close to having finished my first semi commericial poject [
> > >> amatuer
> > >> but to sell on ebay ;-) ].
> > >>
> > >> It all fits in a small plastic box/housing 120mm x 50mm.
> > >> User input/output is via a 2x16 LCD a couple of LEDs and some small
> > >> panel mounted toggle/push switches.
> > >>
> > >> My problem is how do I present this in the box and make it look worth
> > >> the money?
> > >
> > > Don't know any specifics but I keep getting mail from them at work
> > > with examples of what they can do.
> >
> >Full-color (CMYK) overlays from NFI are quite expensive in small
> > quantities: approximately $22/each for an overlay approximately 2"x1.5"
> > in size, for a quantity of 50. However, it quickly drops: $6 for 100, $1
> > for 1000. There is a one-time charge for the tooling that they use to cut
> > out the overlay.
>
> Hmm.. $1100 for 50, $600 for 100, $1000 for 1000? Strange pricing. Maybe
> the tooling cost is less for 50 pieces because they use a different process
> such as laser cutting?
>
> >If the OP doesn't need full color, the overlay may be produced much
> > cheaper. What the printer does, is actually quite simple. They take a
> > piece of polycarbonate, apply the silkscreen, and slap on the adhesive
> > backing. Which makes me think that inkjet transparencies may work, too --
> > you just need to find the right kind of adhesive backing (try 3M).
> >
> >Vitaliy
>
> Simple but messy (the printing part). As with any surface treatment, there
> can be various unpleasant problems depending on the materials and their
> condition. The inks we use are not nice to print with, but I've not seen
> separation occur yet.
>
> >Best regards,
>
> Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..."            "The Journey is the
> reward" speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers:
> http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for
> designers:  http://www.speff.com
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