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Below is important information to know before placing a custom order with us:
Control panel artwork represents one of the most convenient means to personalize your fightstick, giving it a new look almost immediately.
Artwork prints are developed using a top-of-the-line commercial printer, offering vivid, professional-quality artwork replication. The printer is capable of resolution of 1200dpi (dots per inch), and 8 color ink system (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, K(Black) + Light Cyan, Light Magenta and White) reproduces artwork over a wide color range.
Artwork is printed on 10 mil cardstock sheet. It carries 95% brightness and tensile strength of 100 pounds per inch.
Each print is laser cut to your specifications, as presented by available options. You will receive the print with perforated button inserts designed to fit your chosen button brand. In some cases, such as the Mayflash series, the control panel elements may also have perforated cuts. Gently press downward to remove the cutouts.
Example animated photo displayed for illustrative purposes only. Pattern "Space Dots" shown.
In addition to white cardstock sheets, we now offer holographic paper sheets in several captivating patterns. Holographic sheets are created from paper that is imprinted or embossed with a design or image and then covered in a thin, transparent film of metal. The finished sheet has a characteristic luster — a kind of rainbow iridescence — when the imprinted pattern is viewed from particular perspectives.
Holographic cardstock has a similar tensile strength to our existing cardstock, about 110-115 pounds per inch
Both materials have their strengths. White cardstock is our tried and true paper material, producing vibrant colors with a textured semigloss. It's 95% brightness brings out the best color fidelity because it has a white backing.
Holographic paper has a striking metallic finish. By itself, its color changing properties are quite eye-catching. This is even more evident when a pattern is used. However, because the material does not have a white backing, the illustration's areas of white will instead show the metallic sheen. This can lead to a slightly duller appearance compared to cardstock. These comparison photos may help to illustrate. Please note that while the colors can appear more muted on holograph paper, the reflective nature of the material as well as its color properties will vary depending on the angle the illustration is seen and the material's pattern. Not every print will exactly resemble the below example.
To review the list of current patterns we offer, please click the "Option Guide" Tab, then click "Holographic Patterns" link. On a mobile device? Scroll down to "Options Guide", then click "Holographic Patterns" link.
HitBox Cross|Up Template (2021 Retail Release. Not Kickstarter Alpha Layout. PS3/PS4/Nintendo Switch/PC, 2.1 Mb zip) |
The HitBox™ Cross|Up is a unique take on what is the company's flagship controller - the all-button HitBox. This model includes a joystick to replicate analog controls, while face buttons continue to represent directions. Legal: HitBox™ Arcade is not affiliated with this third-party customization in any way shape or form. It is not officially endorsed by HitBox™ Arcade.
We start with information on the Cross|Up top panel. Cross|Up, utilizes 30 millimeter buttons for all of its the buttons on the panel. If you are unsure about this size, we offer a helpful guide explaining 24mm vs 30mm. Please note that the spacing of these buttons on the panel will make using screwbuttons quite difficult and in some cases impossible as the button screw ring will not have enough room to turn. | The underside of Cross|Up is a foam padding. Remove six screws, then lift the bottom panel. Of note for those curious, the four white buttons towards the back are 24mm, and non-Sanwa. |
The Cross|Up internal wiring consists of ground and signal wires. Ground is Black in color; signal consists of Red, Blue, Brown and White. The wire colors repeat on each button section. When re-wiring, please use this helpful guide, which shows the ground and signal wiring by color and connector. | |
To remove the ball top, insert a flat head screwdriver into the base of the Sanwa JLF joystick lever shaft. Turn the ball counter clockwise to loosen it from the shaft threading. The screwdriver keeps the rotating shaft in place while turning the ball top. | There are ten rivet snaps that hold the existing panel. You'll find each of these plastic rivets poking out of a hole on the underside of the unit. To remove them, you can use your thumb to push forward, a thumbnail, or flathead screw. Note that some of the rivets are in tight corners of the case. |
With the buttons, joystick lever ball top and original panel removed, the HitBox Cross|Up metal panel underside is exposed. | |
Lay the printed and cut artwork atop the metal panel. You will then place a clear plexi panel atop the artwork and reinstall the rivets. | Often we find that some customers find the artwork or plexi is offset when they try to install buttons. The reason why this occurs is that the screw holes on both original and our plexi are slightly larger than the original metal panel. This allows for a bit of space when positioning. Before installing the rivets, use your fingers to pinch the artwork and plexi between the button holes to align them with the button holes in the metal panel. |
It's time to install the clear panel. The rivet snaps displace the small stands in the bottom once the top cap is inserted. This expands the area around the rivet, locking it in place. Rather than attempting to insert both top cap and rivet button at the same time, try installing the rivet bottom first, then the top cap. This allows the bottom to remain compressed when inserting into the screw hole. Follow up by inserting the top cap, pushing downwards until it seats directly on top of the panel. | |
With the rivets installed, begin re-installing your buttons, and screwing the ball top back in place. Given the amount of wires and buttons, it is a good idea to properly test your controls to confirm that the wiring is reinstalled correctly before closing up the bottom. Use the screws taken from Step 2 to fit the foam padded bottom panel back into place. Congrats! |
Option Guide |
Often, you will have several options to personalize your control panel. Note: Not every option will apply to your Fightstick model. CUT BUTTON INSERTS | HOLOGRAPHIC PATTERNS Layout ConfigurationEach Fightstick has its own characteristics, with some sharing similar elements, such as the popular Vewlix button layout. We will specify what options are available for each Fightstick. Below are the most common button layout configurations: 8 Button Vewlix
First 6 Buttons
Last 6 Buttons
7 Button Vewlix
Removing Default ElementsSome Fightsticks, such as the popular MadCatz TE, offer additional personalization options by removing default elements such as control panel, start button, or screws. Cut options are defaulted to their authentic counterpart, displayed as [YES (default)] in the options list. For example, a MadCatz TE, the default configuration is to have the turbo/guide portion of the control panel cut, so that the control panel can fit properly. You have the option to select [NO] to prevent cutting these areas. Cut Control Panel? [NO]
Cut Start Button? [NO]
Cut Middle and/or Bottom Screws? [NO]
Cut Control Panel? [NO] - If you own a MadCatz TE, and installed a PS360+, you may no longer need the Turbo/Guide area of the control panel, located at top left. This option allows you to remove the Turbo/Guide portion. Please note that you MUST remove the actual control panel on the TE by unscrewing it before applying the plexi, or you risk damaging the plexi. Also, please make certain to select this option if you are also choosing to have artwork printed, or the plexi and artwork won't match. Cut Start Button? [NO] - On some joysticks - such as the Qanba Q4 - the start button is directly on the panel. You can select to have this removed. You can also select this should you desire a panel similar to the Eightarc Fusion or Synthesis series Fightstick, as the start button is moved elsewhere. Again, this option is available on specific joysticks. Cut Middle and/or Bottom Screws? [NO] - Selecting "no" on this option allows you to remove the middle top and bottom screw holes on specific joysticks, either for a cleaner appearance or to avoid rubbing your wrist against the screw. Please reconsider this option if you intend to have a full panel etch on your plexi, as etching physically changes portions of the plexi due to heat. In this case, it is best to leave the screw holes in place in order to keep the panel securely positioned. Cut Button InsertsPushbutton manufacturers such as Sanwa, Seimitsu, Crown and GamerFinger have each produced specific models with a clear or translucent plastic cap and flat plunger. These are often used to display a graphical insert, allowing you to enhance the button's appearance. That said, each button manufacturer has designed the artwork cap with a different diameter than their competitors. For example, GamerFinger's artwork cap has a diameter that is slightly larger than Seimitsu or Sanwa. An insert cut for a Sanwa artwork cap will fit loosely when inserted into the GamerFinger artwork cap. This is an undesirable result that can produce a white or colored ring around the insert. Now, you can choose the button insert cut to match the pushbutton you intend to use. This allows the insert to fit snugly within the cap. Brands and Model with Artwork Caps
Please note that if you later intend to purchase a different button, you may need to get new button inserts or new artwork. If you are uncertain which button you may choose, Sanwa is chosen by default. Button Cut for Qanba Q2 GlowQanba Crystal and Q2 Glow feature buttons manufactured by Qanba. These buttons have a smaller cap diameter, and thus require a smaller artwork insert. If you plan to keep the Qanba Crystal or Q2 Glow buttons installed when updating your artwork, please choose the option "Crystal/Q2 Glow".
24 vs 30mmWhen processing orders, a frequent mistake we found among new players is choosing the wrong size for action buttons, such as punch and kick. Within the fighting game genre, Japanese arcade buttons commonly consist of two diameter sizes: 24 millimeter and 30 milllimeter (mm). In most configurations, 30mm represents your action button. These are front facing, appearing most prominent on your Fightstick control panel. Option button, such as "Start", "Select", or more recently "Option", "Touch", or "Share" are usually 24mm. UPDATE: Owners of Neo Geo AES Joysticks will need 24mm pushbuttons instead of 30mm (Thanks SRK's DEZALB) Below is a visual representation of a common Fightstick control panel. Throughout this article, we will mark 24mm in green, and 30mm in Orange. Checking the Proper SizeAnother way that players can misinterpret the pushbutton size is by measuring the pushbutton plunger. Have a look at the diagram at right. The plunger - the part that you press down to represent an input - is 25mm or a bit smaller in most 30mm pushbuttons. Often this leads to the conclusion that one needs a 24mm button and not 30mm. Similarly measuring the button rim can lead to confusion, as it is intentionally larger than the button hole it is placed in. You don't want to use these measurements. Instead, review the button housing diameter, or the hole the button will be placed in. You can do this with a caliper - a digital caliper is often quite helpful for this and other arcade-related projects. Control Panel ConfigurationMost Fightsticks from MadCatz, Hori, Qanba, and similar will use these two sizes. How the buttons are used will depend on the model joystick that you own. Over time, we'll provide example configurations for specific popular Fightstick models and arcade cabinets using the color key for 24mm (green) and 30mm (orange). We'll also expand the key for future models if another size is introduced, and we offer for sale.
Holograph PatternsThe following patterns are available. Artwork is printed atop the pattern and its color changing effects will appear underneath. No Pattern (Rainbow)
Dots: Donuts
Dots: Dots Lite
Dots: Space Dots
Dots: Little Boxes
Diagonal: Static Storm
Diagonal: Thatched
Horizontal: Pillars of Light
Vertical: Tinsel
Texture: Texture 2
Texture: Magnetic Fur
Theme: Cannabis
Theme: Vortex
Wavy: Moon Lava
Wavy: Swirl 3
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Image Edit |
If you would like to use a free, online Photoshop-like app to check out whether your artwork will work with a layout we offer, I highly recommend Photopea This amazing app works with our PSD templates and is a great way to preview your artwork or create new art files. It also exports to PSD, which is the format we recommend for submitting artwork. |
Support |
New to FA Plexworks?Click the "Options" tab for a detailed explanation of each customization option available to you. Using a mobile device? Click here to scroll to the descriptions. Artwork templatesWe offer a photoshop template for each custom artwork or custom plexi etch. Click the "Description" tab (or scroll up if on mobile device) to display the template and download. You can also click here to access our repository and download artwork and etch templates (in Photoshop PSD format) for your desired model and others. Important: Using templates outside of the ones we provide may produce unwanted output. We are not responsible for output generated from unsupported templates. More information here. Warranty and Support for FA Plexworks Custom OrderCustom orders cannot be returned for refund, or exchanged for another custom order. Orders damaged upon arrival are subject to special terms within our return policy. Please see our FA Plexworks FAQ for more information about our Plexworks return policy and related Q&A. If you have not used our Plexworks custom services before, we recommend that you visit our support section for updated information, helpful tips, and resources to get the best output. Some useful sections to review before making your purchase (will open in new browser window or tab):
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