Quote Originally Posted by Paul Alciatore View Post
I think your first photo is not the correct one.

As I understand your post, you are showing two ways of creating a labeled front panel. One using a black solder mask with a white silk screen. So, is the white silk screen applied first and the black solder mask on top of it? Or is the black solder mask applied first with the white silk screen on top of it? And how do you insure that the board maker applies these layers in the correct sequence.

And the second method is laser print on transparent(?) polyester laser printable labels. Or are they white? And does this method allow color images to be used? Apparently you do not use any protective coating on top of them.

Paul A.
Standard PC board production, solder mask goes down and then white silk screen on top. You can't see the board in the first picture and everything is packed to be shipped shortly to the new place.

The laser print is onto white polyester film labels with gummed back. They're sold as waterproof laser labels. It's thin enough that LEDs shine through with no problem but you wouldn't be able to read an LCD.

Something else I've done is get some 2 layer sign-making plastic. Laminated black/white is what I used. Tape down to a backing in your CNC router/mill and engrave your panel and cut holes as needed.