Creating a custom, clear-label printed soda can

[coldgooz]

Hi gang,

I'm a very amateurish prop creator trying to create some custom-printed soda cans for an upcoming short film project.
I'm willing to try a DIY approach. I'm also curious if anyone here knows of a service that will do custom clear label printing on aluminum cans for small orders (6-12 cans).

Ideally, I'd be able to get my custom design printed on cans full of a potable liquid to add to the realism.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Mike J.]

My advice to you would be use clear, adhesive inkjet or laser stock (or metallic silver paper) and have the labels printed yourself. Then, take a mild solvent like acetone and try to remove the printing from a real can of soda. Then apply your label to the blank can.


-MJ

 

[E Williams]

What Mike said. Try this stuff, it's great and looks just like the aluminum of soda cans:

http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-MEDIA-SVR-ADH-Printable-Silver-Foil/dp/B008RX1AYW

Just print your design out and wrap the cylindrical portion of the can.

 

[MGC]

What Mike said. Try this stuff, it's great and looks just like the aluminum of soda cans:

http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-MEDIA-SVR-ADH-Printable-Silver-Foil/dp/B008RX1AYW

Just print your design out and wrap the cylindrical portion of the can.

Can second this stuff - I bought tonnes and tonnes of it for Doctor Who. I did the black bands to help disguise the edges.

Just make sure you set your printer to maximum density/ink coverage and you're golden. A spray coating of gloss acrylic lacquer definitely helps too.

I haven't really found a good solution for full can coverage.

 

[Mike J.]

Wow, those look great!

 

[E Williams]

Can second this stuff - I bought tonnes and tonnes of it for Doctor Who. I did the black bands to help disguise the edges.

http://i.imgur.com/cBMhGCS.png

Just make sure you set your printer to maximum density/ink coverage and you're golden. A spray coating of gloss acrylic lacquer definitely helps too.

I haven't really found a good solution for full can coverage.

How cool is it that even the pros use it??

I'll try the gloss clear next time I use the stuff. Thank you for the tip!

 

[dropshipbob]

Would it be possible to print in color on this foil paper? I'd like to make myself some Weylan-Yutani Aspen beer cans and aside from making decals, this might be a better route to go.

 

[E Williams]

Would it be possible to print in color on this foil paper? I'd like to make myself some Weylan-Yutani Aspen beer cans and aside from making decals, this might be a better route to go.

Yeah, it's inkjet so you can print whatever you want on it. I used it for the circuit board decal on this PADD (I added a clear matte laminate on top, so what's pictured below is less shiny than it was right off of the printer):

 

[dropshipbob]

Awesome, thank for the info!

 

[MGC]

Would it be possible to print in color on
this foil paper? I'd like to make myself some Weylan-Yutani Aspen beer
cans and aside from making decals, this might be a better route to
go.

As E Williams said, yep - I've used it in full colour for Proton Pack labels but you have to sent ink desnsity/quality to the max or it'll look a bit washed out.

Yeah, it's inkjet so you can print whatever you want on it. I used it for the circuit board decal on this PADD (I added a clear matte laminate on top, so what's pictured below is less shiny than it was right off of the printer)

Blimey, that looks great! They also do a gold foil but I don't think it prints anywhere near as nicely colour-wise as the silver stuff. What's your method for the matte laminate? I had to clearcoat the stuff I did as actor's hands made it very sticky/runny!

 

[TheShinyOne]

Can second this stuff - I bought tonnes and tonnes of it for Doctor Who. I did the black bands to help disguise the edges.

http://i.imgur.com/cBMhGCS.png

Just make sure you set your printer to maximum density/ink coverage and you're golden. A spray coating of gloss acrylic lacquer definitely helps too.

I haven't really found a good solution for full can coverage.

Hi MGC,

Can (hahaha see what I did there) I ask what font you used on these cans (as used in "flavoured soft drink" i.e.)?
I needed this for a design on a truck a few eeks ago, and couldn't find it.
It's killing me...

 

[MGC]

Hi MGC,

Can (hahaha see what I did there) I ask what font you used on these cans (as used in "flavoured soft drink" i.e.)?
I needed this for a design on a truck a few eeks ago, and couldn't find it.
It's killing me...

Hi,

I'm pretty sure it was Arkitech bold with a stroke applied.

http://www.1001fonts.com/arkitech-font.html

 

[E Williams]

As E Williams said, yep - I've used it in full colour for Proton Pack labels but you have to sent ink desnsity/quality to the max or it'll look a bit washed out.

http://i.imgur.com/DOLa8sn.png



Blimey, that looks great! They also do a gold foil but I don't think it prints anywhere near as nicely colour-wise as the silver stuff. What's your method for the matte laminate? I had to clearcoat the stuff I did as actor's hands made it very sticky/runny!

Thank you! I have some of the gold as well but haven't tried it yet - that's good to know. The matte film I use is this stuff (I heard about it from board member ecl):
http://www.papilio.com/other poly focus matte over laminate.html
It does dull the metal shine a bit but maybe on camera it could still work?

 

[TheShinyOne]

Thanks a bunch!