Best material for homemade stickers?

[Notanza]

Hi! Not sure if this topic is appropriate for this subforun, but I'll ask anyway.

My 3x3s have really bad sticker problems. My cheap speedcube's print has washed off and my Rubik's brand's stickers have worn off. And those are the only 3x3s I have. I don't want to buy another one just because of that. I also can't buy stickers from the internet due to several reasons. My problem is the stickers, really. I've already tried printing stickers for my Rubik's with *inkjet friendly* sticker paper and additional clear tape on top, but they also wore out after a week. I was wondering on what the best and appropriate material would be. I heard vinyl sheets are what Cubesmith uses, but I can't find any in stores.

 

[CubezUBR]

draw colors on if its a white cube with a sharpie pen or paint on with plastic paint.

 

[Notanza]

draw colors on if its a white cube with a sharpie pen or paint on with plastic paint.

I'll check out the plastic paint. Don't Sharpies rub off easily? Haven't tried it. Only got a black one

 

[1LastSolve]

Don't use either of those. Sharpies rub off to easily, and paint doesn't wear out as easily but it will over time. Use printer paper and packaging tape. Its a decent temporary solution.

 

[larosh12]

I guess ! different coloured plastic folders would be good.

 

[TimMc]

Ask some local sign makers. They might have sheets of ORACAL 970 vinyl. Either that, or 651.

Tim.

 

[Lchu613]

Homemade stickers..........
Why can't you buy stickers?

 

[larosh12]

probably he might be living somewhere like me . where you get 3x3 stickers for 15$ and a Zhanchi for 25$ .
Importing Tax bro !

 

[cubernya]

Don't use either of those. Sharpies rub off to easily, and paint doesn't wear out as easily but it will over time. Use printer paper and packaging tape. Its a decent temporary solution.

I've done this before with logos. I have a small sticker maker (not vinyl, just normal paper), then just put packing tape over the top and it worked great.

 

[Notanza]

Don't use either of those. Sharpies rub off to easily, and paint doesn't wear out as easily but it will over time. Use printer paper and packaging tape. Its a decent temporary solution.

I've done this before with logos. I have a small sticker maker (not vinyl, just normal paper), then just put packing tape over the top and it worked great.

Ahh. No wonder. I only tried the regular ol' clear tape. Thought it would protect the stickers at first, lol. I'll try that one again but with different tape now

I guess ! different coloured plastic folders would be good.

I've never thought of that. It actually sounds like a good idea!

Ask some local sign makers. They might have sheets of ORACAL 970 vinyl. Either that, or 651.

I'll try looking around for those. Hope they're not that expensive.

Homemade stickers..........
Why can't you buy stickers?

probably he might be living somewhere like me . where you get 3x3 stickers for 15$ and a Zhanchi for 25$ .
Importing Tax bro !

That, and because my parents don't fully support my cubing hobby. They think I spend too much time on something I won't earn money for. My parents are basically my only way of buying through the internet until I'm 18.



did I use the quote function correctly

 

[elrog]

I have an old Rubik's brand cube that I painted with nail polish. It took a couple weeks for the smell to wear off, but so far its held up great. I've had it painted like that for about a year and a half. Also, if you have a cube that still has stickers on it, you can dab Modge Podge over it. Doing this, you can make it be the texture of whatever you dabbed it on with, and it works much better than those clear plastic stickers that are supposed to go over your stickers. I have not done this personally, but I have a friend who has done this to his two main cubes.

 

[cubernya]

Just to clarify: the machine puts adhesive on the back, which is what makes it a sticker. The packing tape is only to make it look pretty (and protect it a little)

 

[sneaklyfox]

Ahh. No wonder. I only tried the regular ol' clear tape. Thought it would protect the stickers at first, lol. I'll try that one again but with different tape now



I've never thought of that. It actually sounds like a good idea!



I'll try looking around for those. Hope they're not that expensive.





That, and because my parents don't fully support my cubing hobby. They think I spend too much time on something I won't earn money for. My parents are basically my only way of buying through the internet until I'm 18.



did I use the quote function correctly

Where do you live? US?

 

[Notanza]

I have an old Rubik's brand cube that I painted with nail polish. It took a couple weeks for the smell to wear off, but so far its held up great. I've had it painted like that for about a year and a half. Also, if you have a cube that still has stickers on it, you can dab Modge Podge over it. Doing this, you can make it be the texture of whatever you dabbed it on with, and it works much better than those clear plastic stickers that are supposed to go over your stickers. I have not done this personally, but I have a friend who has done this to his two main cubes.

I actually wanted to try nail polish but I found that slightly ridiculous.

Just to clarify: the machine puts adhesive on the back, which is what makes it a sticker. The packing tape is only to make it look pretty (and protect it a little)

Guess that's a bad idea then :/

Where do you live? US?

I live in the Philippines :] I found an actual cube shop in my country but apparently it's far from where I live. And then there's an online method but then again I can't do that. I'm getting a few stuff from there on Christmas though.



Also, I have tried larosh12's idea of different colored plastic folders. It works great, but it doesn't stick well with glue. I had to resort with super-glue, which did the trick. (I'll probably post a pic later) That's one cube done. One more to go.

 

[Tony Fisher]

Hardware stores sell rolls of sticky back plastic. Look out for names like Fablon, Alkor, DC-Fix. Been using this stuff since 1980.

 

[blade740]

If you can find some nail polish, that could work. Get 6 colors, plus a clear coat to put over the top. More coats = more durable.

Homemade stickers probably won't work too well, but you might also try cutting "tiles" out of some thin plastic (if you can find it in enough colors).