Custom Inside Artwork For Steelbooks Thread

[Orton31291]

Won't a thin layer of PVA glue be strong enough and dry transparent

[PS3_Kiwi]

^ Possibly. I don't know for sure, I have only tried the Bic glue stick so far.

[Billz]

You could try clear Araldite.

[FastFish]

Originally Posted by steelbook86

Can anyone link me to how to remove the spine and do inside artwork all the way across ?

Tried reading the entire thread but couldn't find anything ... although I was skimming it...

Thanks!

Look at Post#269 & Post#300 for walk through & further details.

You can easily make a template of your own using various programs. I use Gimp which is free image manipulation software.

[PS3_Kiwi]

I downloaded Gimp, but not being used to using graphics programs I haven't got a clue how to make a template. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

[FastFish]

Well, don't let it overwhelm you. The first thing you must do is read the user manual. (under Help on the gimp interface). There's a tutorial that will be useful for beginners.

But, let's get you started quickly so you can see what it can do.
- save my img template from couple posts above & then open it with gimp (make sure you saved as .png because .jpg doesn't support transparency)
- now find an img you want to work with, save it, then open with gimp in a new window
- crop & scale the img (these are under the "image" tab) so it matches the template size or as desired.
- go to template & select "by color" the black
- now copy img #2 & "paste into" (under edit) the template.

Notice only the template has the desired image now because you selected the region that you wanted it pasted "into" rather than a normal paste.

Now this is just basic stuff. Of course you can use transparency with layers, invert colors & direction of image, add lighting effects & patterns....just experiment & have fun.

[Show spoiler]

[PS3_Kiwi]

I have had success up to a point. I have scaled the picture to match the template, select by color then clicked on template to select black and copied and pasted the picture into the template, but the pic fills it and doesn't show the spine like yours do. What am I doing wrong?

[FastFish]

As long as you "select by color" the black (makes a dotted line around selection) on the template & "paste into" (not normal paste) then it will work. Anchor the layer if needed, but it should leave the transparency around the spine.

[FastFish]

Originally Posted by steelbook86

.... what is a good glue to use that leaves a nice professional look and no residue but also holds well so that the spine doesn't actually come off ever, lol.

Thanks!

Some use a glue stick or double sided tape. I prefer rubber cement (clear drying) for better adhesion. Most crucial part is to clean the spine & Steelbook plastic thoroughly, let dry, & not use too much new glue, a little goes a long way.

Good luck on the mods!

[riiiche]

Here is the artwork I designed. Pretty pleased with it. Love the tagline!
Plus the car on the disc looks like its parked in the photo :P

[nekelstal]

Originally Posted by riiiche

Here is the artwork I designed. Pretty pleased with it. Love the tagline!
Plus the car on the disc looks like its parked in the photo :P

[Show spoiler]

Great job, riiiche!
It really looks like

[Orton31291]

Great job riiiche.

OMG glossy paper FTW!

Huge difference in quality.

[riiiche]

I saw your awesome artwork.
Great job too.
Im gonna keep checkin this forum for other Drive fan's attempts

[Orton31291]

Just finished my first spine job with Green Zone. Glossy paper does make a big difference. Doing Minority Report tonight and maybe Drive. Will post photos tomorrow.

[blubook]

Originally Posted by FastFish

But, let's get you started quickly so you can see what it can do.

Thanks for the help! So the template you created has just enough space between the spine and both sides so that the image seems to be in one piece? (because here I can clearly see the roof 'jumps' a few mm instead of going into one straight line.

Also what is the max height the pics that fit inside both sides? Can't find it anywhere.

[lewisbcfc]

I'm glad i found this forum because its awesome, so i had a go at my first steelbook, Drive. I used the same artwork as Orton31291 but didn't change the colours. Did the spine as well but it was a right pain in the arse, i used the template FastFish posted but the spine was printing a bit too small so i did some editing. Got there in the end and im quite happy with the results.

[Orton31291]

Looks awesome. Just finished re-printing mine. Good quality paper is definitely a difference maker.

My Minority report didn't come out as well as I wanted, with the double disc tray on the right hand side it covered Cruises face but meh.

I keep the glue on the metal spine. But take everything off the plastic shell. Apply a small amount of strong pritt stick. And then small dabs of PVA glue on top of the paper for the metal spine.

[lewisbcfc]

Ye, good quality paper/card is definitely needed, i used glossy photo paper which was 255 g/m. I printed it off first with normal paper and it looked crap.

[PS3_Kiwi]

Originally Posted by FastFish

As long as you "select by color" the black (makes a dotted line around selection) on the template & "paste into" (not normal paste) then it will work. Anchor the layer if needed, but it should leave the transparency around the spine.

Just got back online. Thanks so much for your tips etc.

[PS3_Kiwi]

[QUOTE=lewisbcfc;5736283]I'm glad i found this forum because its awesome, so i had a go at my first steelbook, Drive. I used the same artwork as Orton31291 but didn't change the colours. Did the spine as well but it was a right pain in the arse, i used the template FastFish posted but the spine was printing a bit too small so i did some editing. Got there in the end and im quite happy with the results.
QUOTE]

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