You have a shiny new hockey puck, and you want to do something fun and unique with it? How about printing something on it? It’s easy to do, and with a few different techniques you can make the process as fun and interactive as possible. Whether you’ve got a large area on the back or simply want the front covered, this article will teach you how to print on a hockey puck.
Table of Contents
Print On The Back
The most basic method of printing on a hockey puck is to use a home printer. These printers are fairly easy to use, and with a bit of learning you can produce an excellent print. The catch is that the final product is limited to the size of the paper you use. If you have an old printer that can handle A4 sheets, you can use it to print a 5×7″ photo on your hockey puck, but if you want to print a full-sized photo you’ll need a bigger unit. If you don’t have one already, printing on an A3 paper sheet is recommended as it will give you the best quality.
An alternative to using a home printer is to go to a small-scale print shop and have them print the photo on a large sheet of paper for you. This way you can ensure that the print is the right size, and it will also add a layer of protection from getting wrinkled or damaged during transportation and playing with the puck. The downside to this option is that if you don’t have a scanner to scan the photo into your computer then you’ll have to do it by hand which can be both time-consuming and frustrating.
Print On The Front
If the back of your hockey puck is still free, you can print on it using the same method as the previous section. The main difference is that instead of using a printer to print the photo, you’ll use a laser to etch the image into the plastic. The best part about this option is that you don’t have to worry about the print being the right size because the laser will cut the shape of the image precisely.
The downside to this method is that if you don’t have a laser then you’ll have to search for a supplier who does, and it’s not easy to find one especially in North America. Aside from that, you’ll need to learn how to etch plastic which isn’t easy for everyone. In addition to that, the whole process can take several weeks which is a lot of time if you’re in a hurry to play with your new toy.
Photo Etching
This method is probably the most popular one because it’s the simplest. All you need is a computer, a printer, and something to print on (we’ll get to that part in a bit). Take your hockey puck, and using a photo editing program like Photoshop or GIMP, create a mask on a new layer. Make sure that the mask is the right size for your puck, and that there are no holes or overlaps in the mask. Once you have your mask created, print it on a piece of paper and cut out the shape. Now you can apply the mask to your hockey puck and viola, instant print!
The downside to this method is that it takes a lot of time to find the right-sized mask and experiment with different methods to get the right overlap. If you don’t have a lot of time to print and apply the mask to your puck manually then this is probably not the best option for you. In addition to that, the whole process can take several days, and even then it’s not guaranteed that the print will come out well because you’re printing on a thin piece of paper.
Laser Engraving
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to print on your puck, but don’t have the time to experiment with the photo etching method then you can always use laser engraving. This is where a laser is used to cut into a surface, leaving an indented or engraved pattern behind. It’s also a lot simpler than the photo etching method because all you need is a computer, a laser, and something to print on. The best part is that it’s quick, so you’ll be able to apply the print to your puck and have it done in minutes. The downside to this method is that you need to have something that can be engraved with a laser which most people don’t have. If you do have one, it’ll be expensive, and it’ll set you back a few hundred dollars at least. In addition to that, you need to learn how to use a laser which isn’t easy for everyone. Finally, the whole process can take a few days.
When choosing which method to use to print on your hockey puck, you need to take into consideration a few things. First of all, do you have something that can be engraved with a laser? If not, then the photo etching or laser engraving method is out, because you’ll need something to engrave on. If you do have something that can be engraved with a laser, then you have several options. You can either use a home printer to print the image directly onto the surface of the rink, or you can go to a small-scale print shop and have them laser engrave the image on the surface of your puck. If you’re on a tight budget then the best option is the first one because you won’t have to spend money on a laser engraving service. In addition to that, you don’t have to worry about finding a good-sized mask, and you can use an A4 sheet if you have one, so you won’t need an extra piece of paper to do the printing.
Whatever method you use to print on your hockey puck, make sure that it’s something that can be easily done by anyone. If you have a family member or friend who could use some help then have them try out the different methods and help you pick your favorite. It would be best if they had some experience with photoshop or similar photo editing software because it’s somewhat difficult to learn how to use a laser if you don’t have any previous experience with them. In addition to that, if you do go the DIY route and print on the surface of the rink yourself, make sure that you have a large enough space to accommodate the print size you choose. You should also experiment with different methods to see what works best for you. There are many different ways you can print on a hockey puck, and with a little bit of research you can find out what’s best for you.