how to get a picture on a guitar body?

[blackofe]

i got a finished stratocaster body (black gloss). i'd like to have some pictures on it (and on the plastic pickguard, too). which is the best way to do it? hand painting? stickers? decals? i'm a newbie in such things. i'm waiting for some stuff from warmoth, and, you see, started to ask questions .

thank you.

 

[bagman67]

i got a finished stratocaster body (black gloss). i'd like to have some pictures on it (and on the plastic pickguard, too). which is the best way to do it? hand painting? stickers? decals? i'm a newbie in such things. i'm waiting for some stuff from warmoth, and, you see, started to ask questions .

thank you.

Lotsa ways to do this, but a frequently implemented one is waterslide decal paper, trimmed to fit and then covered in the clearcoat of your choice.  You can also engage an artist to paint something on your axe using airbrush, pen'n'ink, oils, what have you -- and again, clearcoat to taste.  If you could post a photo of something like what you're after, more specific suggestions would be forthcoming in droves, to be sure.


Peace, and welcome - 


Bagman

 

[Jusatele]

there are a lot of companies selling vinyl stickers, they tend to be the easiest but will come off with wear. I put a set under the top coat of a guitar, worked well but is a lot of work. Ask Mayfly to show some pics of his painted stuff, too cool.

these are under the top coat

 

[blackofe]

Bagman67, thanks for the explanation. i'll try to create an image - how i see it.

actually i've ordered a new warmoth neck for my '57 RI strat. whilst it's on its way, i'm thinking about the body. it's black finished and it has a black pickguard. i'd like just add some details to make it look mine . :cool01:

 

[blackofe]

btw, i was thinking about an artist - he might make it right. i'm a little bit scary to ruin something . i wanted to avoid any kind of clearcoating or the like..

however.. i got a couple other strats - i can use them to try.  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[blackofe]

Jusatele, i was thinking about vinyl stickers. but 2 things are confusing me: will i be able to find images as exact as i want? and second, you told, they come off easy.

probably there are companies, that create custom vinyl stickers - by a picture a customer provides?

and what about to clearcoat the sticker to make it longliving? or it's a bad idea?

uh.. lots of questions. i'd like to do it elegant, not getting worse. and i don't feel myself skilled enough in all this stuff..

 

[Jusatele]

tell you what
finish this project and do it how you want. Order a new body and create a drawing in of what you want, then do as we all have done, we asked a lot of questions and practiced on non project wood till we did it ourselves. Trust me, without this forum I could never have created what would become a Guitar of the Month I show off at the bottom of my post. Whatever you dream is possible. Look at some of the GotM photos and realize that they designed by regular guys just like you and me that just went a bit further to achieve a dream Axe.

 

[blackofe]

Jusatele, you're right. i've started a new topic in "A Work in Progress" and will post my questions and progress there. thank you anyways. ccasion14: