Digital Art on a bass?

[A_E_A]

Hey there
I have a friend who is great with computer based art. I was wanting to finish my bass with some of his artwork but im not sure how to transfer it from the computer to the body of my bass. Can i print it onto something that i can then put a clear finish over? Any special inks that won't be ruined once i put a clear coat on?? is it anything like doing a material finish??

If that seems too difficult or problematic would i be better off getting something airbrushed on?? Are there any things to be aware of when going to an airbrush artist eg type of paint etc...??

Any help or sites that have tutorials or anything would be great.
thanks

p.s. sorry if this as been covered before. my searches didn't turn up much anywhere

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I'm pretty sure that Your Yellow Pages list at least one van printing shop.

Car sized printers/sprayers began appearing in the early 2000 IIRC. They usually print large signs too and a bass is small in comparison. They usually will take any digital file as they have to convert it with their CAD/CAM anyway.

When You contact them, be sure to ask for the resolution as that's usually rather low for a small items where a high detail is required.

As for printing to film, paper etc. and attaching that to the bass, I'd suggest researching the paints available in Your location. Automotive paint shops are a good place to start.

There was a thread recently about attaching artwork under a transparent pickguard, You might want to look that up too.

Regards
Sam

[Mustafa Umut Sa]

AEA , I have to most excellent solution , silk screen printing or called autotype.
I am an old prepress man and newspapers printing machines service man and old men were telling us best ink in the world is silk screen ink.
You can print with acrylic ink also like andy warhol.
Silk screening is good because you print with a textile and textile adapt itself to many curves.
Other way is to inkjet printing.
And if you want the least expensive solution is printing paper and adhesive it to the surface.
There are laser printers and there are laser printers.
If you want to your art printed on the paper with best color and best resolution , I advise you to find a printer house for architectural business and a printer which uses laser light and powder ink.
Not traditional laser printer , it is for very big presentations and 6 digit dollar machine
This is the best of best.

Mustafa Umut Sarac

Istanbul

[A_E_A]

Thanks alot guys. Im gonna be looking into this as soon. I haven't got the body yet so when i do ill be able to get it started as soon as possible. Till then ill be working on doing a collage finish on a thunderbird i have been meaning to do.

Once i get the body done ill put up some pics