Silkscreen "Les Paul SPECIAL"

For the serious repair job we offer a custom made SILKSCREEN for reproducing the vintage correct and embossed "Les Paul SPECIAL" imprint to the headstock after doing a refinish or similiar.
No decal-gimmicks, just the real stuff.

The (vintage slim) outline of the 1959 headstock can be principly used as a routing template, but we do not recommend this due to the sensitive silkscreen mesh that is glued to the bottom.

Use any rubber squeegee and (oil based) gold Charbonnel etching ink with a drop of Japan dryer for doing the "print", this ink you can find here.

Silkscreen-printing is easy, but you need to get a feeling for how to manage to get sharp outlines of the letters: if you are not satisfied with your printing-result just wipe off the wet ink with turpentine (what is NC lacquer-safe), let dry and do it again, you cannot do wrong.

For best results place the mesh/frame diretly to the lacquer, using no coins or folded business cards or similiar for lifting up the mesh (such info you can find in some forums, we have tested and we find this is inferior), then one quick stroke with medium pressure using the squeegeee and quickly remove the mesh by lifting it off the headstock. Moving direction for the removal is 90degree (= parallel) to the surface of the headstock (rolling movements or lifting just one end while the other is still on top of the headstock results in fuzzy outlines).

Clean screen instantly after usage, otherwise the mesh will clogg; for cleaning use turpentine (avoid acetone or nitro, it may interact with the mesh material or glue).

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We sometimes offer B-grade silkscreens at a discounted price, these are technically fully working, but leak of an issue and does not fullfil our standard. Send a PM or Email with your request.

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We can make custom silkscreens for you if you can supply a sharp-lined .pdf or .cdr file, feel free to ask.