Artwork Installation for Non-TE2/TE2+ Fightsticks

Hey, everyone! How's it goin'?! As I type this, it's raining cats & dogs in Southern Louisiana right now. It's been raining all day SO much, that I think some guy named Noah is somewhere building a huge boat and 'bout ready to rally up two of every animal! lol Jokes aside, lots of people have water entering their homes and the rain just WON'T let up. We're all kinda locked in here, waiting it out. Law enforcement has asked everyone to stay off the roads unless it's an emergency. Please keep Louisiana in your prayers.

Anyway, this is an instructional post for just about every retail stick that is NOT the MadCatz TE2 or TE2+, so this should work with just about ANY stick (aside from the MadCatz Standard Edtion sticks; no one makes plexis for them). At this point, you should already have your files in the link that I gave you in the message/email or you have your own art. This post should help you with the actual modding of your stick.

CHOICE OF PRINTING

If you got your art from me, you'll find three files in your zipped folder. The PDF named "For DIY" is if you want to do things yourself, A PSD labeled "For GameOnGrafix" (more on that later) and a PSD named "For Art's Hobbies" is, of course, if you want a print and plexi from Arthur Hong of Art's Hobbies (tek-innovations.com). Let's cover that option first.

ART'S HOBBIES 

Arthur requires that you upload the art to him in a zipped folder in a PSD after you order. I HIGHLY recommend Art's Hobbies. His work is flawless and worth the price and the wait. You also need to buy a plexi cover. It costs extra, but I can't stress how PERFECT your art will come out if you order from him. Here's an example of a stick that was modded using his services:

If you believe that price may be an issue, go to this link on his site and add the appropriate items to your cart. ATTENTION: What you choose will depend on whether or not you have/want a bezel on your stick. Consult the image below for assistance. (NOTE: This only applies to the MadCatz Tournament Edition arcade sticks that have or can add a bezel.)

After adding the first appropriate item to your cart, the site will ask you for what state/country you're in and will calculate how much it will cost to ship to you. Add the other to see the exact amount art from Art's Hobbies will cost you.

Also (if you decide to go with Art), when selecting the “Artwork Print...”, be sure to select the appropriate hole cutouts depending on whether or not you're using Sanwa or Seimitsu clear buttons. With this you can get fancy with your designs and have the art come through the buttons like the Powerpuff Girls stick above.

If you aren't doing this, I don't believe it matters which you choose. You'll have 30mm holes which can be used for any button type (Sanwa, Seimitsu, Gamer Finger, etc.) as long as they're 30mm buttons.

THE DIY METHOD

An alternate route is the DIY method. If you want to print it yourself at a print shop, use the PDF file (labeled "For DIY"). Be sure to tell them print it at actual size without resizing it. 11 x 17 inch paper is what's needed for artwork this size. Have them print a lami label. Here is a link to a top-to-bottom mod of a SFIV Mad Catz Standard Edition FightStick. It's the same process for a TE/TE-S, HRAPs (and most retail sticks, actually), so don't worry.

Now the lami label works, but it has its draw backs. Number one, it'll most likely peel over time, meaning you'll have to go back to the print shop and do it all again eventually. You also have to be VERY CAREFUL when cutting (ESPECIALLY on that darn turbo section) or else a bad cutting job will take away from the design, no matter how good it is. Allow me to toot my own horn. *Toot!* lol

GAMEONGRAFIX

There's also GameOnGrafix. This is kinda a hybrid of using a third party and the diy method. You get a really durable, high quality print like you would using Arthur's services, but you don't have the luxury of someone cutting your artwork for you.

Anyway, GameOnGrafix's stuff is GREAT. It's the same material that's used on actual arcade control panels, so it's really durable. It's made to last. They're quicker than Arthur and the quality is on par. They're a bit pricier and like the lami label method, a bad cutting job can take away from a good design. Here's a link to EXACTLY where you need to go should you decide to order from them. Their site is kinda clunky admittedly. If you decide to go with them, send them the PSD labeled "For GameOnGrafix". Also, Be sure to tell them to ship it flat! They usually send it in a cylindrical tube and creases formed in my art the last time I chose them. You should buy the “adhesive backed option”. If your stick has a bezel, the size option you need to tell them is 14 x 8.5 inches. Without a bezel, 15 x 10 inches.

In my opinion, Art's Hobbies is the best option. It's high quality stuff and perhaps the most effortless.

PANEL PREP

Okay, now that you art's been ordered/taken care of, you gotta prepare you panel for modding. You need to remove and clean the metal panel that holds everything in place for art modding. No matter what method you choose, you'll need to do this. Here's a vid I found of a guy art modding his stick. He even used Art's Hobbies! It's not bad, though, he should have completely removed the glue from his panel. To do this, use acetone with cotton balls. My preferred method is getting the panel COMPLETELY by itself and scrubbing it with warm, soapy water, Goo Gone and steel wool. Goo Gone really gets that tough glue off. If you're having trouble peeling off the stock art, a flat-head screwdriver works really well to start it off.

That's about it! Let me know if you need any more help. If you got your art from me, thank you for your purchase! It was good to work with you.

Take care, happy gaming and God bless,
Big E

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