The Seam

[angelo49]

I posted something like this a few years ago.
There are many labels, decals, and photos cast into
blanks and they turn out some excellent pens.
Most times only the back of the pen or the seamless side is shown.
How about showing us what the seam in the graphic looks like.

 

[Penpal]

And I say why not as well.I used to show up to several allround my pens to this end,then I felt I should conform to the normal one. Unfortunately there is no standard anything or more involved here only outright sharing in good faith or not.

I feel Angelo you have raised a valid question and for me as a non caster of pen blanks feel inadequate to comment on as this is part of the mystique in pen presentation.

Peter.

 

[angelo49]

I make this pen with a wrapped around decal.
The decal has a dark border (stripe) on each edge.
I print the decal a few thousandths over the size of the circumference
of the pen so that when I apply the decal it overlaps the edge.
You cannot see the joint/seam in hand but the camera picked up a slight line on the bottom.

 

[geordie0928]

I would like to make a pen with this decal on it



I think it would look cool.

 

[flexi]

Not a bad idea!!....I have done loads of image cast blanks and playing card blanks. I have to say some casters are better than others at how they joint the material. For me I always hide that area behind the clip, but I'll take a photo beforehand now!

 

[angelo49]

Geordie, I guess you can add a border around that image
and print a decal to fit over a painted tube, the lettering would then be
wrapped around to the back of the pen. Or adjust the size of the decal so that the lettering
shows mostly on the front of the pen. No need to wrap around the pen. Just a thought.

Mark, I tried lables, paper, and photos but I find they are too thick
to overlap and hide the seam. Trying to butt the seam is really challenging.
Waterslide decals are very thin and the overlap is hard to see.
Maybe the seam is ok under the clip but I've never seen what it looks like past the clip.
I know mine look like crap.

 

[fortress]

I print my images on self adhesive vinyl that end up with an overhang of 1mm once wrapped around the tube, before I wrap I colour the edge of the vinyl with an appropriate felt tip pen.

 

[fortress]

This is one I did recently.

 

[angelo49]

Looks good John!
Maybe it's me, but I would like to see the main graphic
while I'm writing, with the clip up.

 

[Penpal]

Thus we all examine these pens more carefully than before.

Peter.

 

[Bucks]

I usually try & show the seam Angelo as in this post. With the label cast blanks we sell on our website, we’ve now started showing a photo of the seam of the blank on latest blanks, unfortunately our earlier photos/blanks don’t show the seam.

 

[angelo49]

Paul, I remember that post.
Well hidden seams!
Very Nice Work.

 

[wm460]

I got some snake skin blanks from the US, the person that cast them cut around the scales so you couldn't see the join.

 

[flexi]

A blank I used today.....

 

[Penpal]

To show and tell reinforces our declaring with knowledge some of the problems and solutions in label casting. Thanks it is timely and informative.

Peter.

 

[angelo49]

Nice join Mark!!
Will that go under the clip or the 'back' of the pen?
Is that a 'plug' in your finger?

 

[flexi]

Hi Angelo, yes joint will go behind clip......
No plug in my finger just crap from tube ends when I have a final length ways polish.....
Also blank way cast by Sawes on here aka Mr Resin or Scott Walker.....now it's all together you can hardly see the joint!:pray:

 

[angelo49]

I saw the finished pen Mark.
Nicely done!