panel template guide
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!
step 1: Three Template Options:
FEATURES
- Match Mounting Holes
- Match Gauge/Switch Holes
- Precision Guarantee
- Design Speed
- Lead Time
Step 2: Three levels of precision
We want your panel to fit… but we don’t want to inflate your costs with a bunch of unnecessary labor. The difference between a 1/8″ and 3/16″ duplication accuracy can mean several hours of labor, and often recutting the panel a few times.
Let us know how accurate it needs to be from our levels of precision above prior to quoting.
1/16
1/8
3/16
step 3: TRACING TIPS FOR AN ACCURATE AND TIMELY DESIGN
Line quality is essential for our design team to design your panel as close to the traced template as possible. We recommend using either a ballpoint pen (red is best, but any color works) or a FINE TIP Sharpie when tracing your panel. Thick lines, like from a Sharpie Marker, prevents our design team from getting a suitable design as it is hard to tell where the true edge of the panel is.
To avoid any unnecessary delay in the design and fabrication process we recommend using a 24-pound white paper stock (similar weight to printer paper), this type of paper works best for our scanners and avoids scanning errors.
However, we are not limited to this material and you can use other materials for tracing. Please see our acceptable materials tab for acceptable materials for your tracing.
The following are materials that we can accept. However, depending on the thickness of the following materials design time may take a bit longer than normal.
- Cardboard
- Poster Board
- Tracing Paper
- Any paper stock
- Foam Board
- Wood (linoleum, plywood, etc.)
The following are materials we cannot accept as we are unable to get a good scan or photo for the design of your template.
Tin foil and any metallic material.
Metallic materials we are unable to scan due to the thickness and the reflective properties of the material type makes it very difficult to capture a good photo to use for design.
We understand some situations make it hard to get a traced template without cutting the parameter and/or holes, but if you can avoid doing so we recommend not cutting the tracing as this can make it difficult for our design team to get a suitable design for you. To ensure the panel shape and size matches the provided template we conduct a quality check during the fabrication process where we cut a cardboard template of the designed panel and compare it to the provided panel template.
To ensure an accurate design we will need the most accurate tracing possible (unless a physical panel is being sent in). We request that you not send in multiple pieces of tracing paper for a single panel. We can work with a multi-piece tracing if necessary but it reduces the accuracy of the design. In cases like this, we recommend printing the proof out (our proofs are designed to full scale) and checking it to your dash or panel to ensure the accuracy.
Examples of Tracings
PROVIDING A PANEL TEMPLATE
You can mail us your current panel and we will take care of scanning and tracing your template panel. With this option, the risk is shifted off of your shoulders and onto ours. We guarantee the panel shape and size will match the provided template within your chosen level of precision. If the approved design does not match we will readjust the design to perfectly match the provided template.
Matching Mounting Holes:
With our Panel Template Option, we can match your mounting holes, drilling them in the exact location as your previous panel. No need to fill in previous holes or worry whether the new mounting hole locations will be affected by your previous holes.
Match Guage and Switch Holes:
If your components need to be in the same spot as your previous panel we can certainly make this happen. With a provided template we can guarantee exact location of your holes.
Precision Guarantee:
The precision of your panel is guaranteed within your chosen precision option. If your approved design does not match, we will redesign, re-cut and reship your panel at no additional cost to you.
Design Speed:
Though a template design does take a bit longer than our normal process, providing a physical panel for our design team to reference does speed up the design process. There is less chance of designing multiple revisions as you do not have to worry about checking the shape and size of your design.
Lake Time:
The only downfall to providing a physical panel is that your boat will be out of commission for a time. Unless you have a way of using your boat without your panel it is best to plan your project during a time you will not need to be on the water, the cooler months are definitely the most recommended time to begin these types of projects.
PROVIDING A TRACING
We understand if you need to keep your current panel or you don’t have a panel to send in. If you need to trace a template we can certainly work with what you give us. If choosing this option please read through our tracing tips for instructions on how to properly trace your template. Following these instructions will help us to get an accurate design and will avoid unnecessary delays during the design process.
A proper tracing (following our tracing tips) will shift the risk off your shoulders and onto ours. If the approved design does not work, we take full responsibility and will redesign and re-cut your panel at no extra charge.
Match Guage and Switch Holes:
If your components need to be in the same spot as your previous panel we can certainly make this happen. When tracing your template recommend you ensure your switch and gauge holes are as accurate as possible. Unless stated otherwise, our design team will design your holes as per the provided tracing.
Precision Guarantee:
The precision of your panel is guaranteed within the level of the precision option you chose. If your approved design does not match, we will redesign, re-cut and reship your panel at no additional cost to you.
Design Speed:
Though a template design does take a bit longer than our normal process, providing a good tracing of your panel for our design team to reference does speed up the design process a bit. To ensure a speedy process we recommend reading through our tracing tips to ensure an accurate trace.
With this option, there is less chance of designing multiple revisions as you do not have to worry about checking the shape and size of your design.
Lake Time:
Assuming you have a functional panel, providing a tracing and not your physical panel will allow you the opportunity to spend time on the water as we design and fabricate your new panel.
EMAILING A SCANNED TRACE OR PHOTO OF PANEL
If you are in a crunch and can’t wait for a template to arrive at us in the mail, then you can send us a scanned tracing or an overhead photo of your panel. If you choose this option please read through our tracing tips for instructions on how to properly trace or photograph your panel for sending over. Following these instructions will help us to get an accurate design and will avoid unnecessary delays during the design process.
Unlike the other options, the risk will stay on your shoulders. Without a physical panel or tracing, we are unable to compare the designed panel to a provided template. Therefore, please keep in mind if you approve your proof the panel will be cut as is and no extra steps will be taken for quality assurance. If there is an error (not caused by production or a material flaw) we will redesign, re-cut and ship your panel, but extra charges will apply.
Design Speed:
Choosing to email a scanned tracing or photo of your panel will take the longest in design time. Since we will not have a physical template we cannot guarantee the precision of the design and will need to rely on you to ensure the design is accurate to your current panel. When we send a proof we highly recommend printing the proof at a local Kinkos or print shop and using that print to compare it to your current panel.
It is not uncommon for multiple revisions to occur, which can drive up the overall price (anything over 3 revisions) at the end of the day.
Lake Time:
Design time may be long and cost can potentially get high with this option. However, since you are not sending in your physical panel your boat will not be out of commission (assuming you have a functioning boat and panel) and allowing you more time on the water as we design and fabricate your panel.