Instrument Panel Signage

[BillLipson]

The small instrument/instructional signs on my instrument panel seem to be made of something resembling paper and stuck to the panel. I would like to replace them with clearer lettering and a more professional finish. Any idea where I could get these done or do them myself?

[gareth lacey]

Plastic tags at tingalpa qld did all my signage at reasonable price and they look good

Edited Wednesday at 04:45 AM by gareth lacey

[Blueadventures]

I used a brother label printer black background and white letters and numbers.  Looks nice for my requirements.

 

There is a topic show us your panels and you will see a variety of print work to get ideas.

[onetrack]

Any signwriting or graphics crowd with the right computerised equipment and materials should be able to offer you a range of etched or engraved instrumentation signage at modest cost.

Laser engraving done on two-colour plastic is probably quite adequate, but you need to ensure the materials are UV-proof and durable.

 

https://www.qlddecal.com/engraving-and-etching/

 

You can buy basic aircraft instrumentation labelling kits made from vinyl, I have no idea how durable they are, but they're much cheaper than getting some made by a graphics or signwriting crowd.

 

https://www.aircraftspruce.com.au/catalog/cspages/09-35000.php

 

Anything made from 3M or Arlon materials, I have found to be quite durable.

 

https://www.mach5.com.au/products/aircraft-checklist-labels-decals?srsltid=AfmBOoo6YLcAZ7EwkguuUbYDV6lNlgz_u7PtjNqbEMNSFLZo1uXrsCuP

 

The last option is acquiring an electronic labeller such as Dymo or Brother brands, and making your own desired wordings for the signage.

 

But I've found the materials used in these labellers are generally not durable for the long term, or in strong sunlight.

 

Edited Wednesday at 05:27 AM by onetrack

[Reynard]

Google traffolyte labels for another option - there are a bunch of online businesses that will produce customised labels pretty cheaply.

 

https://www.makeyourmarkengraving.com.au/product-category/traffolyte-label/

[Blueadventures]

These are made with brother label printer.  Been over 10 years now.  Allows your personal requirements.  

Edited Wednesday at 06:11 AM by Blueadventures

[skippydiesel]

If you can find someone with a laser printer, they can make you amazing labels - almost any shape, colour, font, size, you might imagine.😈

[BillLipson]

Thanks so much for all your replys. Aren't forums great!

[BrendAn]

On 04/03/2026 at 5:10 PM, Blueadventures said:

These are made with brother label printer.  Been over 10 years now.  Allows your personal requirements.  

whats the red readout beside your landing light switch

[KRviator]

23 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

If you can find someone with a laser printer, they can make you amazing labels - almost any shape, colour, font, size, you might imagine.😈

Another option is to put the call out on your local FB community group or ask around for someone who has a Cricut. The KRviatrix has one and it's a good bit of kit for stuff like that, it'll cut out pretty much anything you can imagine, so all you have to do is select what kind of 'sticker' you want, load your file, and press go. 30 seconds later, it's ready.

[FlyBoy1960]

14 hours ago, BrendAn said:

whats the red readout beside your landing light switch

Maybe Amp Meter ?     How much power he is pulling from the system.  Just a guess.

[Blueadventures]

14 hours ago, BrendAn said:

whats the red readout beside your landing light switch

It's an amp meter.  As Flyboy says.

[facthunter]

The usual term is Ammeter and it measures amperes. CURRENT flow There's no significant resistance through an ammeter and excess current will kill it. so starter circuits etc aren't routed through them..  Nev

[onetrack]

The Cricut decal cutting idea is sound, but the major thing required with decals and signage is good adhesive. A lot of adhesive-backed vinyl has poor performance over a lengthy period and in the hot sun.

 

The last thing you want is decals and signage peeling off. So, make the adhesive quality a primary factor in your choices, as well as the quality of the material you're using.

 

That's why the two-colour plastic engraved signage is used in important areas such as switchboards and control panels, it is simply durable.

[facthunter]

Engrave or carefully stamp sheet AL about 1 MM thick. Cut it  to exterior size and screw,  Rivet or Glue Silastic it to Panel. Hilight it with dark enamel if you need  extra definition.