Mark this is AWESOME please do more. Do what you want, the transparent stuff but if you could do something like a picture of Spider-Man or like a Pirate Map or Lord Of The Rings that would be really cool
Skateboards are sublimated. They have a poly coating on the wood so sublimate will work. Would work with guitar too, but need a vacuum chamber to get around the corners
I could see cutting a channel around the body and binding the edge as a viable way to finish the transition from the transfer to the side. Time consuming, but would look super neat. Awesome vid man!
The bubbles appear because dtf prints are like thin foil and the heat needs a way to exit. There is uv-dtf specially for slick non breathing surfaces. They are similar to stickers but embossed.
I'm generally of the opinion AI is just another tool but it's pretty hard to not consider it a rip-off when you're giving it specific people to rip off.
i think in this case it’s kinda okay because it’s a study focused on the technique of this transfer print and not on the artwork. still there are so many people out there who are fantastic artists with fantastic styles and if i was gonna finish one of my guitars like this i would definitely pay an actual artist to design it.
Here's an idea to take this further in a wild direction: -Get a figured wood body like a burl top -Take a high quality photo of the body with smooth lighting -Get the photo into Stable diffusion, use Img2img or Controlnet to generate something from the original wood pattern, try to experiment a lot but maintain a good balance between the original image and the result -Play around with the result in Photoshop to get some transparency and blend it with the original wood photo in a cool way -Print out the generated result with the transparency, line it up really carefully with the guitar body and press it You could use something other than stable diffusion as long as it provides Img2img functionality, not sure if Midjourney has that.
This leads to so many possibilities. Thanks so much for sharing it. I'm Absolutely going to use this. I have a kit coming and have been spraying different colors on test pieces to decide on a color. i'm going to do this with a burst on the edges probably. That said, that edge was clean though. I would have just fixed or replaced that cord though.
Just installed a new commercial DTF printer at work. You've inspired me to do this as well but I'm curious about hitting film with a clear coat. I'll have to research to see what skateboard mfgrs use. Thanks for posting this.
The Negal BC Rich. Classic! CC Deville and the guys from Warrant. I always wanted that fiinish as well. CC also had a Jackson Negal and that was my favorite.
Awesome video! What would you apply over that to hold up to abuse and have a consistently smooth finish? Is there some kind of clear coat that would adhere to both the film and wood?
Great question. I assume any type of clear coat that has solvents in it would eat through transfer. So a water based clear would probably work, or a clear that doesn't have solvents.
Like a poly finish? I don't know. I can't say I understand the technology but I think it's using heat and steam to make the film stick. So materials like fabric and wood would work but non-porous materials may not.
They use the same process on glaxed ceramic plate and coffee mugs etc, which are a non-porous high gloss and it sticks great. I think yoou should be able to do it on a gloss poly guitar just fine as long as you dont overheat anything
So innovative . Opens up so many possibilities. Have you tested any finish over it? Just wondering can you use standard polyurethane or varnish or will that react with the colours and bleed somewhat… love the videos. Keep pushing the envelope. Cheers!
Most power cords can be replaced relatively easily if damaged (ask construction contractors how often an angle grinder will eat it's own cord lol), but if you're not comfortable doing that kind of repair it's definitely safer to buy another! With your general soldering/electronics experience displayed on other projects I'm surprised you didnt repair it though.
Yup, it seems probable there's only a small chance the short destroyed the actual working unit...if you just replace the cord, you should be good to go
Oh, I did try to splice that cable so I could get back to work on the project, but it didn't work. The internals must have destroyed. Plus, the short also destroyed my power strip.
You should do what Epiphone can't, and have 'good grain' carrying on along an SG's bevels! I wonder if you could print a semi transparent flame top, with colour-shifting elements. With the modern printing techniques, pretty much anything's possible, you could potentially even print layers that'll produce lenticular lensing, at better resolution than the changing picture rulers we had in school in the 80s.
When the cord melted and shorted out was it possible to just cut the cord solder each wire use heat shrink tubing and repair it? I like this idea. I have used iron on transfers on all kinds of stuff that the transfer was not meant for but it worked this method seems to be the way to go.. I wonder how well the transfer would survive if you clear coated over it?
Very cool. Ironically, when I saw the thumbnail I said to myself "cool, I can finally get my Nagel BC Rich Gungslinger without paying $5k." I would think you'd want a larger heat press so you can press the entire graphic altogether and avoid possible bubbling in certain parts you press separately.
Yes, I found a 15 inch press on Amazon that would cover the whole guitar. I think it would have accommodated the thickness too but it was $189 dollars. I went with the 12x10 portable $60 press.
DTF, stands for Direct to Film...hmmm. Where I'm form it stands for something much more fun! GO THE NAGEL!!! I've been a huge fan of Nagel since the Duran Duran Rio album came out when I was 10. He set up my "unrealistic" standard of a what woman should look like. And for that I thank him. I didn't settle, it took me 12 years to find my own Nagel girl, who also happened to be the kindest, funniest person in the world, and here we are 30 years later, still madly in love.
Looks great! Instead of a DTF medium, how about a vinyl film? Ya know, like the wraps they place on work trucks to advertise their business? I think the application would be easier - as opposed to finicky heat/pressure settings - and the result will be much more scratch resistant.
duuude these are awesome! makes me want to try some. did you test applying some clear coat over them? do you think it would be necessary? keep these alternative finishes coming bud!
How do the prices for the transfers compare to the vinyl skins that are out there? Custom skins can be expensive, this looks like a great alternative for one-offs.
Im too scared to google local DTF films... Do you think when its applied, you could then route the edges and bind it without chipping the picture away at the edge?
Yes. But...only if the top of the guitar is flat. Then the heat would adhere the ink all the way to the edge of the body. It would then be possible to route and bind. But...if there is any reason for the film to not adhere correctly, then the router will probably leave a mess.
I tried it and it looks great, the only thing is when I sprayed the clear coat the film reacted very badly and started lifting and bubbling. I recommend a layer of epoxy first, sand it flat, and then clear coat it. I don't know why it did that, maybe the film was of bad quality? Idk.
@@MarkGutierrez It was acrylic, I think it's water based. But maybe also my film was of bad quality who knows. The funny part is that the areas that bubbled up were the ones that looked the best after the ironing (the smooth areas etc), the ones that looked a little rough because of applying too much heat stayed as they were. So I assume it has to do with how well the adhesive of the film stuck to the wood or something.
No hablo inglés pero estaba buscando una guitarra con un diseño en especifico que luego de varias consultas me la presupuetaron en $700 (una locura para mí) y justo se me vino a la cabeza ¿Porqué no usar DTF si también funciona para madera? Y eres la única persona que encontré que pensó igual 😅
It could have been a cool video but I really don't appreciate that I gave views to a person that used AI instead of commissioning artist. Its a really big shame and sad to see how people are letting themself be part of an issue
The process & materials are facinating but, maybe it's just me, the AI art I find terrifying. If I saw a "girl" who looked like that, I'd run screaming to avoid being eaten....
@@lunatictumor yep. I don't mind AI for concepting and maybe getting a baseline/inspiration but using it like this is .... Well you know. Many artists would be willing to take that commission for a good price too
I'll admit, I had no idea how people felt about AI. I'm at the point where I try to post a cool video weekly. That's tough and I try to use all sorts of tools to expedite the content creation process. For example, I've come up with an interesting way to create generative background music, optimized workflows and template for video editing. And it just made sense to use AI to speed up the idea process. But good news. I will be using Fiverr soon to commission a job from an artist. A real human artist. Thanks for watching.
Love it. Black burst the edges and clear it. Please do more with this! We want to learn more
ooh yeah - a blackburst would be perfect :)
Mark this is AWESOME please do more.
Do what you want, the transparent stuff but if you could do something like a picture of Spider-Man or like a Pirate Map or Lord Of The Rings that would be really cool
Used to see a few in pawn shops mid 90's where people had done theirs in the 80's. I always noticed them and thought they were pretty cool.
Skateboards are sublimated. They have a poly coating on the wood so sublimate will work. Would work with guitar too, but need a vacuum chamber to get around the corners
I could see cutting a channel around the body and binding the edge as a viable way to finish the transition from the transfer to the side. Time consuming, but would look super neat.
Awesome vid man!
That would look killer.
I'd guess that full overhang press then round over the body or of course binding. Looks great, I've always wanted an HR Giger guitar.
The bubbles appear because dtf prints are like thin foil and the heat needs a way to exit. There is uv-dtf specially for slick non breathing surfaces. They are similar to stickers but embossed.
feeding the artist into the AI :(
yeah i kinda hate that part too.
I'm generally of the opinion AI is just another tool but it's pretty hard to not consider it a rip-off when you're giving it specific people to rip off.
He did say this was just for an experimentation...
i think in this case it’s kinda okay because it’s a study focused on the technique of this transfer print and not on the artwork. still there are so many people out there who are fantastic artists with fantastic styles and if i was gonna finish one of my guitars like this i would definitely pay an actual artist to design it.
@@marctestarossa definitely, he also could've just used copyright free art for experimenting
So much potential here, Mark! Seriously, you consistently share absolute gold, thank you!
Here's an idea to take this further in a wild direction:
-Get a figured wood body like a burl top
-Take a high quality photo of the body with smooth lighting
-Get the photo into Stable diffusion, use Img2img or Controlnet to generate something from the original wood pattern, try to experiment a lot but maintain a good balance between the original image and the result
-Play around with the result in Photoshop to get some transparency and blend it with the original wood photo in a cool way
-Print out the generated result with the transparency, line it up really carefully with the guitar body and press it
You could use something other than stable diffusion as long as it provides Img2img functionality, not sure if Midjourney has that.
I love how you took an unfortunate good up and turned it into a teaching opportunity (and an opportunity to pause for hot sauce :P) love the vibes!
This is amazing. Would love some ideas on protecting this without having to spray clear and then sand (potentially thru the clear and ruin the image)
The question is how does it take laquer over it?
I can test spraying some nitro over it. See if the solvents eat through the transfer.
This leads to so many possibilities. Thanks so much for sharing it. I'm Absolutely going to use this. I have a kit coming and have been spraying different colors on test pieces to decide on a color. i'm going to do this with a burst on the edges probably. That said, that edge was clean though. I would have just fixed or replaced that cord though.
Beautiful work. Please do more. Thank you!
Nice experiment, turned out really well. Wonderful to watch your processes, really innovative and informative. Cheers Dave
Wish I'd have had this when my step-dad and I did a guitar in a similar manner with a graphic BITD.
They look good.
Just installed a new commercial DTF printer at work. You've inspired me to do this as well but I'm curious about hitting film with a clear coat. I'll have to research to see what skateboard mfgrs use. Thanks for posting this.
Please share your findings after you've done the research. Thanks!
THAT IS FREAKING INCREDIBLE! I am definitely going to have to try this sometime!
The Negal BC Rich. Classic! CC Deville and the guys from Warrant. I always wanted that fiinish as well.
CC also had a Jackson Negal and that was my favorite.
Those guitars held their value. Pretty pricey when you can find one.
Awesome video! What would you apply over that to hold up to abuse and have a consistently smooth finish? Is there some kind of clear coat that would adhere to both the film and wood?
I'm pretty sure a poly finish would work just fine.
So rad!!! I cannot wait to try this idea... thanks for sharing Mark!
I had no idea I was such a big fan! This concept was awesome. I'm only upset I didn't think of it. The designs were sweet.
Can you spray clear over the transfer?
Great question. I assume any type of clear coat that has solvents in it would eat through transfer. So a water based clear would probably work, or a clear that doesn't have solvents.
Great shirt Mark! Also, brilliant work as always.
I like the 1st graphic :)
Wow Amazing Work!
I wonder if this could be done onto pre-existing finishes?
Like a poly finish? I don't know. I can't say I understand the technology but I think it's using heat and steam to make the film stick. So materials like fabric and wood would work but non-porous materials may not.
They use the same process on glaxed ceramic plate and coffee mugs etc, which are a non-porous high gloss and it sticks great.
I think yoou should be able to do it on a gloss poly guitar just fine as long as you dont overheat anything
-glazed-
Very cool! Thanks for sharing this.
So innovative . Opens up so many possibilities. Have you tested any finish over it? Just wondering can you use standard polyurethane or varnish or will that react with the colours and bleed somewhat… love the videos. Keep pushing the envelope. Cheers!
This looks amazing Mark! I would love something along this lines with a NASA theme on a Jazzmaster!
Thank you for sharing. Your projects are always inspiring.
Very cool idea and approach. I'm curious what kind of clear coat might work on top of it?
Most power cords can be replaced relatively easily if damaged (ask construction contractors how often an angle grinder will eat it's own cord lol), but if you're not comfortable doing that kind of repair it's definitely safer to buy another!
With your general soldering/electronics experience displayed on other projects I'm surprised you didnt repair it though.
Yup, it seems probable there's only a small chance the short destroyed the actual working unit...if you just replace the cord, you should be good to go
Oh, I did try to splice that cable so I could get back to work on the project, but it didn't work. The internals must have destroyed. Plus, the short also destroyed my power strip.
@@MarkGutierrez Right on, well it's good then, that you didn't get the most expensive one! :D
.Great idea and presentation. Thanks and blessings
Maybe try cutting the film on the laser cutter. Not sure if the film will withstand the heat from the laser
You should do what Epiphone can't, and have 'good grain' carrying on along an SG's bevels!
I wonder if you could print a semi transparent flame top, with colour-shifting elements.
With the modern printing techniques, pretty much anything's possible, you could potentially even print layers that'll produce lenticular lensing, at better resolution than the changing picture rulers we had in school in the 80s.
Fender did something similar in the 90s! I think it was called the Foto Flame?
When the cord melted and shorted out was it possible to just cut the cord solder each wire use heat shrink tubing and repair it? I like this idea. I have used iron on transfers on all kinds of stuff that the transfer was not meant for but it worked this method seems to be the way to go.. I wonder how well the transfer would survive if you clear coated over it?
I did try to splice the cord. It didn't work. It shorted out the machine internally and also ruined my power strip it was plugged into.
Would a thin clear coat add a little protection or is it totally unnecessary?
Yes, curious about the possibilities for sealing the art!
They are really nice 🤩 ! Great job 🙂👌
I’ve been doing this for decades in some form for guitar and snowboards
Everyone is wondering if a clear coat would work over them. Did you ever clear coat?
I love this. I'm definitely going to try it out.
Very cool. Ironically, when I saw the thumbnail I said to myself "cool, I can finally get my Nagel BC Rich Gungslinger without paying $5k." I would think you'd want a larger heat press so you can press the entire graphic altogether and avoid possible bubbling in certain parts you press separately.
Yes, I found a 15 inch press on Amazon that would cover the whole guitar. I think it would have accommodated the thickness too but it was $189 dollars. I went with the 12x10 portable $60 press.
That was brilliant, many thanks
Love this.
You are a wealth of knowledge. Sucks about the heat press, but man, this turned out sick! Oh, the possibilities.
This is Epic
Will it work on a painted guitar?
Thats awesome i dig it
One more idea if you want to do a follow-up - you could show how nitro or poly spray over it works (or doesn't)
Great idea. I will.
Nice, would you try photo next time? 👍
Would you like to sell them? I would love to build them for myself. Love them. Please let me know.
DTF, stands for Direct to Film...hmmm. Where I'm form it stands for something much more fun! GO THE NAGEL!!! I've been a huge fan of Nagel since the Duran Duran Rio album came out when I was 10. He set up my "unrealistic" standard of a what woman should look like. And for that I thank him. I didn't settle, it took me 12 years to find my own Nagel girl, who also happened to be the kindest, funniest person in the world, and here we are 30 years later, still madly in love.
I know, I know, I was just told what DTF means in slang. I'd never heard that before, I guess I'm just not hip to what the kids are saying these days.
Man that sucks what happened with the heat press. I jumped when I saw the sparks. Were you able to return it or do you still have it laying around?
I returned it. Got a new one the next day.
Wonder how difficult this would be on a less flat, more rounded guitar body?
Looks great! Instead of a DTF medium, how about a vinyl film? Ya know, like the wraps they place on work trucks to advertise their business? I think the application would be easier - as opposed to finicky heat/pressure settings - and the result will be much more scratch resistant.
I believe vinyl would be too thick.
Very Cool!!!
inspiring stuff!
duuude these are awesome! makes me want to try some. did you test applying some clear coat over them? do you think it would be necessary? keep these alternative finishes coming bud!
Will you try it with a heat gum?? Is that possible???
I believe pressure is a variable. Heat and pressure.
How do the prices for the transfers compare to the vinyl skins that are out there? Custom skins can be expensive, this looks like a great alternative for one-offs.
Im too scared to google local DTF films...
Do you think when its applied, you could then route the edges and bind it without chipping the picture away at the edge?
Yes. But...only if the top of the guitar is flat. Then the heat would adhere the ink all the way to the edge of the body. It would then be possible to route and bind. But...if there is any reason for the film to not adhere correctly, then the router will probably leave a mess.
I wonder if these prints could be cut with the diode laser🤔. I’ve had success with paper.
I tried it and it looks great, the only thing is when I sprayed the clear coat the film reacted very badly and started lifting and bubbling. I recommend a layer of epoxy first, sand it flat, and then clear coat it. I don't know why it did that, maybe the film was of bad quality? Idk.
Thanks for sharing. Was your clear coat water based? I think water based clears would react less.
@@MarkGutierrez It was acrylic, I think it's water based. But maybe also my film was of bad quality who knows. The funny part is that the areas that bubbled up were the ones that looked the best after the ironing (the smooth areas etc), the ones that looked a little rough because of applying too much heat stayed as they were. So I assume it has to do with how well the adhesive of the film stuck to the wood or something.
That's great🔥👍
No hablo inglés pero estaba buscando una guitarra con un diseño en especifico que luego de varias consultas me la presupuetaron en $700 (una locura para mí) y justo se me vino a la cabeza ¿Porqué no usar DTF si también funciona para madera? Y eres la única persona que encontré que pensó igual 😅
What AI do you use for the image design?
MidJourney
@@MarkGutierrez Thank you
Too much potential, spraying clear coat over that would be amazing.
Can I buy the girl with black hair telecaster body?
Man, I love this. Love the way you embrace AI. It's still YOUR creativity but just with the help of AI. Nice vid...again!
Would look amazing on a white body
I'm dtf 😘
Dude, it's just a burned power cable. You can fix it on your own in no time.
It could have been a cool video but I really don't appreciate that I gave views to a person that used AI instead of commissioning artist. Its a really big shame and sad to see how people are letting themself be part of an issue
The process & materials are facinating but, maybe it's just me, the AI art I find terrifying. If I saw a "girl" who looked like that, I'd run screaming to avoid being eaten....
Interesting idea. Very cool. Shame you used a garbage company like Ninja Transfers to do your DTF.
...as opposed to who?
@@TheChipMcDonald Jiffy, or nearly every other DTF company.
I went with Ninja, cause I got a coupon via email. LOL. I'll try Jiffy next time. Their website looks slick. I think they are in Dallas too.
Love the concept dont like the AI.... YOu could've just hhred an artist to do it
For real. "my first stop for art is to use AI"...and Ive immediately lost all respect for him.
@@lunatictumor yep. I don't mind AI for concepting and maybe getting a baseline/inspiration but using it like this is .... Well you know. Many artists would be willing to take that commission for a good price too
I'll admit, I had no idea how people felt about AI. I'm at the point where I try to post a cool video weekly. That's tough and I try to use all sorts of tools to expedite the content creation process. For example, I've come up with an interesting way to create generative background music, optimized workflows and template for video editing. And it just made sense to use AI to speed up the idea process. But good news. I will be using Fiverr soon to commission a job from an artist. A real human artist. Thanks for watching.
i hate the use of ai. pay a real artist.