I looked at a number of different alternatives for labeling the instrument panel and other placarding requirements in the cockpit. I finally decided on a vendor located in Colorado that produces rub-on lettering and graphics. Color Vu, Inc, the vendor chosen, produces whatever lettering and/or graphics you need and provides them on transparent sheets. You simply cut the words or graphics from the sheet and apply them to the substrate by positioning and rubbing the transparency with a burnishing tool. Once the graphic is transfered, you clear coat the panel to stabilize and protect the labeling.
Color Vu can produce about whatever you can dream up as long as you can provide the image(s) in digital form. In my case, I produced labels in a Microsoft Word (.doc) document for submission. They were able to convert the document for production. I was able to get all my required labels on one 11x17" sheet. I created three interations of each label in case any were damaged during application (only two labels had to be re-applied). I requested all my labels in a single color, white, to keep the costs down. Multiple colors and multple transparencies increase the cost.
I have included some pictures of the labels applied to the fuel panel, switch console, and instrument panel below. They haven't been clear coated yet but I am happy with the results so far. I will be applying a few more labels to some other cockpit panels once they are painted.
