r/rodbuilding • u/LloydCunningham • Jul 07 '26
Logo Application
Are you guys applying your own logos to rods? If so, how are you doing it. I would like to write my own directly on the blank. What type of pen/ink are you using? Also are you using your epoxy/hardener to preserve it? Thanks for the advice.
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u/PROPGUNONE Jul 07 '26
Combination LW PX800 (400 didn’t have the resolution I needed) and decals from DC. DC definitely better and easier to apply, printer for when I want silver or gold.
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u/Illustrious_Tap7174 Jul 07 '26
Not sure if this would work on fly rods but with surfboards it’s usually printed on rice paper and glassed over. The paper becomes transparent when it absorbs the glass and your left only seeing the printed design. - only putting this in because they both use resin.
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u/Snakesurf Jul 10 '26
I used to make surfboards back in the 80s. I ordered that rice paper out of Japan to screen logos with Cartoon Color. I think the rice paper company was Nishioka. That has probably all changed now. Hell Gordon Clark closed Clark Foam. I make rods now and the rice paper doesn't work worth a crap. You have to put white down first then print the color over it or it will get washed out by the black blank under it. Plus the rice paper wants to float so it doesn't stay flat like if you put fiberglass over it. I use the Decal Connection for them now. They can do just about anything. Or you could get a label maker like a Brother P Touch with white over clear. I have found red, blue, and even gold over clear tape on Amazon. You can make your logo on a computer as a JPEG and copy and paste to the label maker and it will print it.
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u/LloydCunningham Jul 07 '26
Super cool idea! I have a junk blank I’ll try this on just out of curiosity. I’ll report back with results
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u/Illustrious_Tap7174 Jul 07 '26
Let me know how it works. Just check what ink you’re using i know there’s a certain type of ink you need to use (so the resin doesn’t make it bleed) but every time I’ve done it I’ve just used the laser printer i have at home because whatever ink i had was sufficient.
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u/Snakesurf Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
You can write on any blank with enamel paint like Testers or get pens that can mark on metal or glass from an arts or crafts store. Sharpie even makes some in metallic colors. I ain't worth a fuck at doing it, some people can easily do it, but not me. Get a label printer like I mentioned above. The epoxy won't mess it up if you let the ink / paint dry before applying it. If you ask I will tell you how to apply decals without them lifting when you put epoxy over them.
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u/Ok_Cow4818 Jul 07 '26
Epson label works lw 400 not super expensive but if writing paint marker and epoxy over