panel template guide
Templating Kit In Action
This video demonstrates what comes in our templating kit, and how to use it.
Need to Replicate the Shape of an Old Panel?
We can duplicate your old shape for a form-fit-function replacement switch panel, or make upgrades to your spec!
Here’s some tips and tricks to make sure your project is a successful one!
Make your own, or order our templating kit, along with a pre-paid return label to make your templating as easy as possible!
Templating Options:
FEATURES
- Match Mounting Holes
- Match Gauge/Switch Holes
- Precision Guarantee
- Design Speed
PANEL
- RECOMMENDED
TRACING
EMAIL/PHOTO
Tracing Tips For Accurate Design
Line quality is important for our design team to design your panel as close to the traced template as possible. We recommend using a ballpoint pen or a FINE TIP Sharpie when tracing your panel. Thick lines, like from a traditional Sharpie Marker make of a less accurate reproduction.
The best material, both for us and ease of use in tracing is sturdy clear plastic like we provide in our templating kit. It allows you to see through to your dash while making the template, and us to be able to retain the original to verify on the finished product.
If you don’t have clear paper and don’t want to order our templating kit, then we’re happy to work from other materials such as:
- Cardboard
- Poster Board
- Tracing Paper
- Any sturdy paper stock
- Foam Board
- Wood (linoleum, plywood, etc.)
We’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff, and here are some of the things that makes it very difficult to work with accurately:
- Tin Foil
- Newspaper (or any very thin paper like this)
- No name / Notes. Don’t need paragraphs, but notes written on template for critical items helps us meet your expectations
- Double lines. If you mess up, please scribble out the incorrect line
- Not identifying front and back. (Especially on clear plastic, please ID “Front”)
Sometimes it’s difficult to lay paper flat on a dash to get the outside with the components still in it. If the outline / panel shape is the most critical (usually us), then you can cutout a large hole in the center if you have rigid enough tracing material.
Also, please feel free to make simple notes for what is important… and also mark what is not. Anything you trace out will limit our panel designer’s freedom, so just mark: “approx” or similar for items that are not critical. Here’s an example of some good notes:
Examples of Tracings
Proofing and Printing
Remember that a template is only the first step to get a proof. Nothing will be cut yet, you’ll be able to make changes once you see the proof of your new panel. Our proofs are also designed to scale, so it’s possible to print them out to test fit, or ask your Project Manager to send a laser cut cardboard version to fit on the boat.
Have fun with it, it’s an exciting new upgrade that can chance the entire look of your boat for the better!
Get Started Today!
Today is always the best time to get started toward your new custom panel!