The following is just a translation of a post by one of Shaperoom.net’s members, Jaqou. Thought you might be interested.
Now, printing on fiberglass is nothing new, really. Bing did it in the early '70s, I think, and probably many others. The thing is, look what can be done not one roll of glass at a time, but one board at a time:
Choosing/designing some pattern on the computer:
OK, now let’s print two or three yards of glass:
Now, all we have to do is drape the glass on the blank and laminate:
Last one:
If you are interested and/or want to get in touch with Jaqou, let me know. Granted, the process is a bit expensive, but not so much if you’re looking for something really special.
That’s the hottest glassing trick I’ve seen in years, great idea.
How does the sun effect it, any fading?
sweet and the ink works with the resin? cool. yeah what about sunshine protection? I’m wondering if a printshop can do that … . print on fiberglass . . . just make it in photoshop, save it, and run it over there. BAM
Thanks for the idea.
Wonder if you could do a whole lam with regular fiberglass and have rice paper print out underneath it . . .
Jaqou says no problem yet. We’ll have to see what happens in years to come, but the ink manufacturer guarantees at least ten years without fading.
hey, that’s cheating…
In my workshop it’s not called cheating, it’s called technique.
It may not be traditional, but it sure is innovative, and probably cheaper than silk prints.
I think for corporate stuff it could be a winner.
DAMN!!! Thats freaking HOT!
How much did it cost and who can you go to for that type of printing?
Sorry, but it looks FAKE - FAKE - FAKE! Like a serious pop-out. As was said, may be good for the oriental market looking to do pseudo “quality” resin work.
The hardest part of swirl work, as anyone here will testify to, is mastering the technique - just like shaping. If you rely on computers for the majority of the process, you’re just fooling yourself into believing you might be some semblance of a craftsman…
Pete
Finally! I can have fractals on my board!
Wow! Best use for a printer I’ve ever seen.
forget the “purists” , that is brilliant !
…Finally , ‘two offs’ of a favourite pattern !
cheers for sharing that balsa .
ben
To say that it looks fake when only seeing the swirls in these photos is unfair. You would have to see the boards in person to make an accurate judgement. That being said, I think they look great, and so what if it isn’t exactly the same look as a true resin swirl? I can understand a craftsman who has spent years mastering traditional resin swirls not appreciating a new, modern method of creating a similar effect, but think of the possibilities using this method! Not only could precise patterns be produced and tweaked to perfection with graphics software, but this would also allow a resin swirl effect to be accomplished on vacuum formed boards. Besides, its got to look at least as good as an airbrush, right?
Chip and Satori,
A hand made product is a hand made product… I don’t want to get into semantics about creating one.
To me, it’s all about mastering the craft - or trying to. Not about multiple half-assed attempts and giving up and letting technology do what I can’t…
Chip. Two boards with the same swirl pattern? If that doesn’t scream pop-out - what would?
Path of least resistance - easy way out - cheating…?
“Hey, did you build that board?”
" Oh yeah, I did! Drove two hours to pick up the blank. Dropped it off to be computer shaped. Drove another three hours to pick up the laser printed glass at Kinkos. Dropped off the glass and blank at the glass shop. Spent four hours at the computer doing the logo. Got my name in there so you know I made this beaut…"
Where does it end?
If being a “purist” means doing it yourself - and not faking any aspect of it (oops, I do make logos on the computer. I think I have to spank myself.) - then I think the purists are in the majority here on Swaylock’s.
Sorry, again, I just can’t get around fake resin work.
Pete
Wow!!! I remembered seeing and ad for colored glass during the 60’s in Surfer mag. Great idea. I want some!
I wouldn’t look at this as just a “fake” swirling method. There are many other completely original applications (that people have yet to think of) that I’m sure could make for some sweet looking boards
jeff
wouldn’t they get like a slight grid to them because glass has little gaps?
I agree with you lasersailor, any sort of graphics could be imprinted on the fiberglass, maybe even a logo? I was thinking of maybe a camo print or something like that.
Now that’s what I call AWESOME!!!
Please don’t ever make 2 the same though…
Great use of technology, similar to what they do with vinyl advertising on cars.
Any idea what type of printer that one is?
Where’s that nudie picture that Chip sent me…
