TheKibbleHermit
New member
I already figured out what I want for an image to go on my first game’s cartridge, I’m just not sure where to get a sticker made for an nes cartridge. Any suggestions?
Cartridge Stickers?
- Thread starter TheKibbleHermit
- Start date
TurtleRescueNES
Active member
There's a few videos on how to make repro labels on YouTube. For example, this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2W10lSTPi8
I have not yet attempted to do this yet, and also willing to entertain opinions from others that have.
I have not yet attempted to do this yet, and also willing to entertain opinions from others that have.
Redherring32
Member
Could you use some of those Avery printout labels?
In my experience letter size is the way to go. Sticker paper sold for shipping labels are usually pre-cut near the middle (some diagonally, some a straight line). It's not a deep cut but just enough so you can easily peel off the removable side. This also leaves a mark on the sticker paper. Doesn't matter for shipping labels but may be undesirable for your cartridge sticker.
You can get matte or glossy depending on your preference. Personally I think glossy looks best but that's not to say matte also has its charm. For a professional look you can laminate the label using a thermal laminator and a 3mil laminating pouch. You don't need a puncture printer like John Riggs uses. A small office guillotine costs much less and achieves the same effect. A round corner cutter will give that final pro look. Usually a commercial NES label has corners with a 2mm radius. Problem is tools that do this size tend to be expensive. The most economical solution is to use 3mm which is easier to find and less expensive.
In terms of the label image It helps if you have a photo editor. Make sure the image's dots per inch is set around 300dpi. Resize or increase canvas size if you need to. Measure in mm (for those of us who use imperial units). A label printed from a 72dpi image won't look good.
In terms of printing it's different for everyone. You have to learn your printer's quirks. You will waste ink and paper on your first tries so be prepared. Print a label on normal paper with draft quality. Use grayscale to save color ink for the good label. Practice cutting the draft label and check how it fits on the cartridge. You will most likely make more small modifications. Better to waste a few sheets doing this than to waste color ink and sticker paper. When you finally insert the sticker paper on the feeding tray watch the orientation so the printer prints on the glossy side.
When applying the thermal laminating pouch it helps if you include a piece of normal letter sized paper on the removable side of the sticker. That way when you cut the label you'll be able to easily peel off the laminate on the removable side.
Once you apply the sticker on the cartridge a minor annoyance is the small fold you have to make where the game's title shows on top tends to unstick. You may have to apply some glue or contact cement (even though it is a sticker) to prevent the flap from peeling itself off. From what I've seen people have a variety of ways to deal with this. You'll see what I mean once you get to that bridge.
When using letter sized sticker paper you'll be tempted to either save the unused portion or print duplicates. Saving the unused portion for another sticker or something else is not a bad idea, but once you cut the paper it will be difficult to feed it through the printer again. Creating duplicates will deplete your printer cartridge more quickly but you will have a spare sticker in case you mess up the first application or make a cutting mistake.
You can get matte or glossy depending on your preference. Personally I think glossy looks best but that's not to say matte also has its charm. For a professional look you can laminate the label using a thermal laminator and a 3mil laminating pouch. You don't need a puncture printer like John Riggs uses. A small office guillotine costs much less and achieves the same effect. A round corner cutter will give that final pro look. Usually a commercial NES label has corners with a 2mm radius. Problem is tools that do this size tend to be expensive. The most economical solution is to use 3mm which is easier to find and less expensive.
In terms of the label image It helps if you have a photo editor. Make sure the image's dots per inch is set around 300dpi. Resize or increase canvas size if you need to. Measure in mm (for those of us who use imperial units). A label printed from a 72dpi image won't look good.
In terms of printing it's different for everyone. You have to learn your printer's quirks. You will waste ink and paper on your first tries so be prepared. Print a label on normal paper with draft quality. Use grayscale to save color ink for the good label. Practice cutting the draft label and check how it fits on the cartridge. You will most likely make more small modifications. Better to waste a few sheets doing this than to waste color ink and sticker paper. When you finally insert the sticker paper on the feeding tray watch the orientation so the printer prints on the glossy side.
When applying the thermal laminating pouch it helps if you include a piece of normal letter sized paper on the removable side of the sticker. That way when you cut the label you'll be able to easily peel off the laminate on the removable side.
Once you apply the sticker on the cartridge a minor annoyance is the small fold you have to make where the game's title shows on top tends to unstick. You may have to apply some glue or contact cement (even though it is a sticker) to prevent the flap from peeling itself off. From what I've seen people have a variety of ways to deal with this. You'll see what I mean once you get to that bridge.
When using letter sized sticker paper you'll be tempted to either save the unused portion or print duplicates. Saving the unused portion for another sticker or something else is not a bad idea, but once you cut the paper it will be difficult to feed it through the printer again. Creating duplicates will deplete your printer cartridge more quickly but you will have a spare sticker in case you mess up the first application or make a cutting mistake.