How to make a low budget backlit display for props

This is how I make a simple backlit displays for props. In particular for builds where animation is not needed or if budget doesnt allow for a real functional display.
All I use is a 5mm white LED, a housing for the LED (you can 3D model or print one, depending on the size of your screen, and some cotton batting or a cottom ball to act as a diffuser).
Simply print your screen graphic on white paper - laser print or inkjet works fine. Glue a piece of clear plastic on top. You can use acetate, a thin piece of acrylic, even a take out food tray or a clear plastic container.
The clear plastic gives the screen a "glass" look. The printed paper graphic helps the light diffuse one step more than the cotton batting alone. I have laser printed directly on overhead transparencies before as well, but the diffusion doesn't look as nice.

[@danfarrik]

Great and simple solution. I did a similar thing for my mandoputer, but instead of printing on paper I made a two color 3D print with a filament swap. Worked like a charm.

[@blizatrex]

Great tip.

[@christiansteele7386]

Nice little trick! I just wish you uploaded more videos though😔

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Thanks for your support! I'd love to be a full time TH-camr, but my day job is making props and costumes, plus I'm still a graphic designer and illustrator, and a full time dad. If there were more hours in the day, I would totally do that! Maybe one day I will be start up a Patreon and see if catches on. But I would like my work to speak for itself, and not necessarily be the "personality" behind the work. I hope that makes sense. :)

[@christiansteele7386]

Oh yeah take your time bro ur busy

[@JwelshPhotography]

Hi, great idea and awesome build but I have a quick question. May I ask what you used to stick the paper to the plastic front for the monitor? I tried using a glue to do the same thing but it made the paper wet and ruined the picture 😔 is there a certain way to do it? Thankyou 🤗

[@pandapropsncostumes]

Hi there, I just used a tiny drop of e6000 on each corner of the clear plastic using a toothpick and glued that to the paper and then I used some tiny drops of CA glue on each corner of the clear plastic to glue it on to the frame that you see here. Hope that helps

[@JwelshPhotography]

Perfect thankyou so much that's a huge help 🙂 I love fifth element by the way 😁 you've done an awesome job on the prop 😁