After recently completing a few repro carts for my own personal enjoyment and challenge I now would like to print some custom labels using my own artwork. I've tried printing a few test labels with a fairly decent Canon photo quality ink jet printer using adhesive/sticker paper and have been disappointed in the results. I'm pretty anal when it comes to quality. I already know its a reproduction, but that doesn't mean it has to look like someone just printed it on some generic home materials... I've seen a few members offering professional label printing services and even the high quality labels provided on RetroUsb and Timewalk games's products.

I'm of the mindset that says "I can do that too!", Thus why I started to make my own repro carts instead of paying someone else. So the same attitude drives me towards thermal printing options. It's clearly the way to go for that professional look and feel, but like most genres of products, there's a whole world of possibility out there and I don't know of any print specaility stores with an arsenal of thermal label printers waiting for me to play with and find the one that works best for me.

So, with all that said, I'm hoping there are similar minded NA members out there that wouldn't mind suggesting a few different thermal full color label printers that they perhaps have experience with? Any suggestion would be welcomed as I've looked at Zebra, Primera, Epson, and Brother. All have a wide varity of products that "may" do the job, but honestly feedback from NA members who have already gone down the same road for their personal projects is worth more to me than any unrelated user experience review.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Perhaps I posted this in the wrong section ?

Honestly you can get pretty good results from a simple inkjet and good, quality, thick, mid-gloss paper from Staples. Print it out using the correct settings for your printer (best, etc), throw a piece of tape on top and super glue it to the cart and you are done.

You're better off using a white gloss label paper but make sure the type you get matches the printer you end up using for the best results. If you have a laser or inkjet printer use that style of label paper for best results.

Thanks for all your replies. I'll give it another shot this weekend on my Canon MP Inkjet using a different type of inkjet label. I previously tried "Avery sticker paper" and "LD Glossy Inkjet Photo Sticker Paper", both bled horribly... So words of advise to anyone else looking for perfection, those products aren't it. I'll share my results in this thread as I test various sticker paper, lament, and printer devices out... Hopefully I'll help put an end to the secrets that surrounds this topic and show others there's no reason to *PAY* someone else $5-$10 to print out a retail quality, long lasting label for you...

Cricut printable vinyl rocks. Then I slap on the packing tape to laminate it. I also have laminate if I feel like using it but the tape works so well...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cricut-Im...

I personally print with a Canon MG5320 and the quality looks damn good.

@SinNombre - Thanks for your suggestion, I sincerely appreciate it! I'm going to order this now and will post my results.

In all honestly, ya we need to create a sub forum for "reproduction" lol.

I use sticky photo paper with high gloss

I've achieved success! I'll post pics of the finished products, and a complete parts list so others can follow over the weekend when work and family aren't demanding my time Thanks again everyone.

Really curious to see your process! I'm actually curious about the many methods to make a label.

Do you have a fie cutter?

I assume you mean a "die cutter" ? Sadly I do not, I cut them by hand, if you our anyone would be able to recommend a decent die cutter that could support multiple sizes, i.e. NES, SNES, Genesis I'd personally buy one because cutting IS a tedious job!

Ups yeah die cutter. Yes im looking for one myself.

1. Load up .psd template in Photoshop and add  create your images in their pre-defined (locked) locations/dimensions.
2. Print the images on a single 8.5x11" sheet.
3. Laminate the 8.5x11" sheet
4. Place the already printed and laminated 8.5x11" sheet into a Circuit or Sihouette cutter and load up the associated cut template that knows the same locations and dimensions as the .psd file.
5. Cut em!

Someone used the classic king label I posted, that makes me happy.

Seeing as I don't really do repros anymore I should probably post all of my labels up here.

@PiM-Games , Thank you for your label, the attention to quality is top notch! I'd love to see more of your work

This is some magnificent work, good job. Your process is basically the one I was made aware of when I've said 'I know a way' on such stuff but just never got to doing it myself. I probably should as I have a solid need for it, but I don't want to buy a bulk order of label paper I won't put to use.

If I could just order like 5 pages or so to learn the process and do it right that would be great.

There's better options than the white gloss from onlinelabels (I know, I've suggested those in the past).

Also, if you're gonna laminate, don't do it with tape, do it with actual laminating sheets. You'll get a much better result.

I don't really notice much difference between quality tape and laminating sheets. Cheaper dollar store tape looks bad but the scotch moving and storage tape is pretty damn clear.

Has anyone seen this happen to a label after about 2 weeks? It almost has a sun faded look now and isn't as vibrant as it was originally. The label did match the colors on the image the cart is on. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/87an0sw...

I can't find the button to delete my post...sorry!