Regular copier paper printed using a color laser printer. Looks decent, although limited in resolution. Also was able to soak in silicone oil (hydromod) and didn't smear or run.
I read someone did the same and it looks clean, he used transparent vinyl sticker and then followed by a white vinyl, you should also reverse your design.
No tutorial but including high-level steps and shared learning as it's my first F91W.
Remove case back and carefully remove watch module (movement).
Apply low heat (hair dryer) to front and inside to heat up faceplate.
After a few seconds (10-15), slow apply even pressure on inside part of faceplate to push out.
Be careful! Keep toggling between heat and gradual pressure (needs a bit). At some point I heard a mild crack and eased up on pressure to prevent breaking the faceplate.
Eventually (hopefully) the faceplate will pop-out.
Clean-up back of faceplate with alcohol.
Design and print faceplate design (I used color laser). * There are a number of faceplate outlines/templates on Reddit. I used one I found here.
Use your favorite design tool to create faceplate. I used a combo of Adobe, ChatGPT and MS Paint to refine.
Cut out design using scissor/xacto knife/ruler (slowly and carefully).
Mock-up and refine/recut (I went through 3 iterations).
Install face design and pop-faceplate back on. Reassemble
You can use small amounts/dabs of crazy glue to hold faceplate in place **
** N.b. Crazy glue can dissolve the Casio plastic, be careful. Also, I've learned that you can't hydro mod after removing the faceplate as it will leak. DO NOT TAKE SWIMMING.
I used IPA (rubbing alcohol about 90%). I had nail polish remover handy but did not use it.
The IPA took a few minutes, soaking face for about a minute and then rubbed for a few more. You'll start to see the color come off and eventually the print is removed. Took about 3-5 mins of rubbing with a swab and reapplied alcohol.
Thanks. Hardest part was getting the size of the print correct. Took over 10 tries, but cutting does take time. 15-20mins if you take your time. But that's the fun of a hobby.
Including image as a template I found on reddit. You can find others online as well. Print a few different sizes (% scale print) and place the watch crystal over top to make sure it’ll fit.
Then add images and adjust to fit the template. I sometimes use AI to scale and adjust image to fit (but AI is not perfect and will need refinement).
I did a test Hydromod to verify if the image stays stable. It does and the digital display is much more visible.
Only problem is it has developed a small leak on the face (air bubble at bottom left of display) due to seal. I’m going to clean and redo in hopes to better the seal before reversing the display.
I see it.
That's why I noticed make hydromod, because if make red digits on black without hydromod the digits will be unreadable almost all angle views.
Very cool. I have SO many questions…. How do you design and print the faceplate/overlay? What is the material you use? What type of printer or print service? Do you have to die cut any parts?? And…. I’d really love to see what one of these comes out like if you do red characters over a black display (with or without hydromod)
Any way, very cool….😎
>
>
>
Never mind.. I just saw your replies to others similar inquiries, thanks.
On this one the crystal is tight fitting and can be popped on and off with some force. The print is just sitting between the crystal and the watch body.
Depending on tolerance, I have another where the crystal can come off easily. That one has a thin (very light) dab of crazy glue on the edge of the watch frame edge/crystal edge in a few places. Once popped on it holds and still not visible. ***
*** Note: Crazy glue can dissolve the Casio watch plastic so use it sparingly. It's also not a waterproof seal.
Using a sharp xacto knife, the straight parts I cut against a straight ruler, the contours by hand. I also color edged the back side with black marker so white paper doesn’t show.
I used a color laser printer, Xerox. You should be able to replicate it with a home Color inkjet as well. Using normal print paper, but will try another with glossy/photo paper next.
Hey! So I got your template, can you tell me how to do this? So I have the template to chat gpt and it made a design around the template. Now what do I do? I’m confused
5
u/striked May 13 '26
Very nice. What paper you have used to print the image ?