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Hi Jay!

Talk to a local graphics shop.  There are a number of options you can use-
1) Some places have large-scale printers that can print directly onto
thicker materials (1/2" or so).  I've used a graphics shop in the past that
has printed illusions on 1/8" Cintra, we've printed graphics directly on
canvas, printed directly on carpet squares, etc.  You could buy a bulk sheet
of whatever material you want, lay out what you want printed, and then cut
the pieces yourself to save lots of money.  If you lay the pieces out well
on the bulk sheets, you can then have lots of spares to have on hand.  This
is a bit more expensive than other options, but is really cost-effective in
that once you lay out your sheets, it's a piece of cake to make new ones
down the road (pun intended).  If you don't like Cintra, perhaps a material
like playmat foam might be an interesting experiment to play with?
2) If you don't mind using something rigid like Cintra, you can add surfaces
to it not via paint but by either using vinyl, or printing on large rolls of
some other 2-sided adhesive material and just lay it out on the Cintra and
cut out the pieces.
3)  It may not be the look you are going for, but you could consider
products already out there and integrate them into your experience.  Cheap,
but you're kind of stuck with what's already out there.  Here's one option
that comes to mind:
http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=865&m
lc=
(It's the road builder set)

Best of Luck, Jay!  Hope this helps...

Sam
-- 
Sam Dean
Science Machine Consulting
2033 Farnham Road
Toledo, OH 43607
ph:419.215.7234
e: [log in to unmask]

> From: Jay Higgins <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:51:12 -0400
> Subject: Rubber Roads
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Hi,
> We are trying to make roads that can be moved around an table top
> interactive where you make your own city.  We like the feel of 1/8"
> rubber and Cintra would do in a pinch, but we want to paint lines down
> the middle, like the stripes on streets.  Our first try of spray paint
> on these two substances didn't survive the scratch test.  Any
> suggestions of what could be used either for the road surface or for
> paint?  Does anyone know of a printing process that might work?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jay
> 
> -- 
> Jay Higgins
> Program/Exhibit Developer
> Providence Children's Museum
> 100 South Street
> Providence, RI 02903
> 401.273.5437 x137
> http://www.childrenmuseum.org
> Come play, come learn!
> 
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