Dragon's Lair CPO Update - Read and Comment

QuartrArcade

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Okay, I know this has taken a lot longer than everyone expected. I finally did receive a proof of the Dragon's Lair CPO.

Because of the original design this is not a project that can easily be vectorized and screen printed. The overlay was scanned, artwork touched up, colors matched and I received a sample that will look just like the final product. The overlay has the same texture and feel as the original and will hold up over time. It will have 3M adhesive as well.

Here's my concern/thoughts, the artwork recreation looks good, but because of the CMYK printing process it doesn't have the same "pop" or contrast as the original. The black isn't as dark and I've been told this is the best we'll be able to get. The color matching is close, but I can't say perfect, again due to the printing process.

So I just want to get people's thoughts. Are you guys are okay with this? I don't want to spend a bunch of money printing these and find that people don't want them. I am sure I can't do any better and that my printing company is doing their best given the project.

I've attached some pics, the original NOS piece is the one with the darker black color.

Thoughts?
 

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That's a bit of a disappointment, especially the richness of the blacks and the purple/pinks on the right side. On the plus side, things like the shape of the helmet seem to be fixed. What were you thinking for cost?
 
Every cabinets had different stories or fates... some faded... some were printed with less ink than the other or different qualities...times used them differently... there's no 'universal' or totally 'unique reference' CPO... Sure I would appreciate thiner/more precise lines and deeper black, but I'm totally fine with that one. Thanks for doing this and of course, I'm gonna buy some as soon as they will be available for sale. Oh and cherry on the cake... it's unpunched... European DL owners will say thank you Sir :)
 
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Unfortunate the black can't be blacker, but if that's the best a professional can do, I'd buy one - better than it having one at all or going with a shitty scan!
 
Of course I'd like a flawless reproduction that you can't tell the difference from the original part, but considering the one on my machine right now has a couple of extra holes drilled in it and cracks along the bends then I'll still take one of these when they're ready.

Having something close to original available is much better than having nothing to replace beat-up or missing CP artwork.


-JM
 
Kind of coincidental....i spent half the day digging this out as it is going to be restored. i pop onto KLOV and saw this as the first thread....
506668526c62d71961110eb1830cdba5.jpg
 
I can't quite believe the comment that because of CMYK, that's the best that can be done.

CMYK printing is capable of all variations of colors. Are the blacks actually black in the artwork file, or are they a specific CMYK value? If they are true black, and the raw material underneath is black, then there should be nothing printed in the true black areas.

The purple/ pink seems like it could also be printed better as well. I would push back on the printer, as that just seems like a bogus answer.

I'm sure you paid for that proof, and they'll want to charge you for changes and another proof, but I would fight it harder.
 
You likely know this already, but just in case...

A good deep 4 color black also has the other colors in it.

For instance if your black is:
C = 0
M = 0
Y = 0
K = 100

you will get the more gray black like what you have.

Try more like
C = 60
M = 40
Y= 40
K = 100
this will provide a more deep, rich 4C black.
 
l will pass if this is best they can do, since I have one I got from you a couple years back I will live with.
 
uh oh

The black is very much a problem

I would say find a different printer as I have seen
better done here in chicago and this old game , phoenix arcade
This piece is not up to snuf
 
Appreciate the comments and feedback, please keep them coming.

Just so you know, my printing knowledge is very limited, but the printer I'm using is the same one that does many of the other quality arcade screen printers projects out there. They have been printing arcade projects like this for many years. I can ask again about the black, but based on my conversations today that is the best they can do.

I don't think anyway is going to do much better unless someone has some original films...
 
Very strange like some others have said. I just got done restoring my Dragon's Lair and I found a nice cleaned up file of the CPO and had it printed (inkjet) with normal polycarbonate overlay, not textured like the original but better than nothing. The colors are VERY vibrant on mine, the blacks are black and everything looks amazing in my mind. You can see how it looks below, if I had this same print with the velvet texture overlay I feel it would be flawless:

IMG_0615.jpg


IMG_0616.jpg


IMG_0690.jpg


IMG_0691.jpg


IMG_0695.jpg


IMG_1128.jpg


IMG_1121.jpg
 
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It is disappointing.
I need a new overlay, and if that's the best you can get, then I'll still take one.

But quite honestly, if that's the best your print shop can do, then it may be time to find another printer. I'd happily wait another year, or two, if another print shop could do a better job.

Tell them your customers are not happy with it, and you're going to send out for other samples. I bet they find it possible to make improvements.

Either way, Thanks for making these!
 
I'm with swood and the others. I'd rather wait longer to have it done better by another printer, if it's possible. Or at least get a second opinion, to confirm what the first guy is saying. I too have a hard time believing it can't be done better, in this day and age.

Appreciate the effort on your part, nonetheless.
 
Well...depending on how well this original cleans up, I may need a replacement. If thats the case, then I will be in the market for one too. I'll also wait for a more accurate repro. Regardless...thank you for doing this!!!
 
Sounds similar to the problems that Phillippe had back in the early 2000's when he did the first run. When this new project was announced a few weeks ago, I was reminded of these issues and hoped that since 15 years or so had gone by that the technology advanced enough to get around this issue?
 
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