Ordering arcade cabinet side art starts with getting the measurements right. Cabinets come in different shapes and sizes, and even cabinets that look similar may have different dimensions.
At GameOnGrafix, we can size our existing side-art designs to fit your cabinet using the measurements you provide. A simple hand-drawn outline with the key measurements marked is usually all we need to get started.
This guide walks you through measuring your cabinet so you can provide the information needed for your side-art order.
Why Accurate Measurements Matter
Arcade cabinets aren’t all built to the same dimensions. The overall height, width, angles, and shape of the side panel can vary from one cabinet to another. Even different models from the same manufacturer may have different dimensions.
Using the actual measurements of your cabinet helps us size the artwork appropriately and position important parts of the design where they belong. Don’t assume your cabinet matches a standard size or the dimensions of a similar-looking machine.
Taking a few minutes to measure and sketch the side profile before ordering can help avoid problems when it’s time to apply your new side art.
Tools You'll Need
You don’t need any special equipment to measure your arcade cabinet. Gather these items before you start:
A standard tape measure
A pencil or pen
A sheet of paper
A camera or smartphone (optional)
Your drawing doesn’t need to be perfectly to scale. The important thing is to sketch the shape of the cabinet’s side and clearly label the measurements. A straight-on photo of the cabinet’s side can also be helpful, but it’s not required.
How to Measure Your Arcade Cabinet
1. Sketch the Side Profile
Start by drawing the outline of one side of your arcade cabinet on a sheet of paper. Look at the cabinet straight on and sketch its overall shape, including any angles, sections that jut inward or outward, and rounded corners.
Your sketch doesn’t need to be to scale. It just needs to show the cabinet’s shape clearly enough that you can label the measurements in the right places.
Measure one side only. In our experience, both sides of the cabinets we work with have matching dimensions, so there’s no need to measure both sides.
Starting at the bottom of the cabinet, measure vertically up to each key point where the shape changes. Record the height of the top of the lower section, the top of the control panel, the bottom and top of the upper section, and the bottom of the marquee section. Measure each height from the bottom starting point.
At each of these points, record the horizontal width from the back edge of the cabinet to the right-hand edge. Also record the overall height and the widest overall width.
If the cabinet has rounded corners that are difficult to reproduce, draw them approximately or use squared-off corners. We allow extra material around the outline for trimming during installation.
2. Measure the Overall Height and Width
Before recording the individual sections, measure the cabinet’s overall dimensions.
Overall height: Measure from the bottom of the cabinet to its highest point, including the marquee area.
Overall width: Measure across the cabinet at its widest point.
Write both measurements on your sketch. These overall dimensions provide a useful reference alongside the individual widths and vertical positions.
Record your measurements as accurately as possible using your tape measure. You can use inches or centimeters, but use the same unit throughout your drawing.
3. Measure the Top Near the Marquee
At the top of the cabinet, measure from the back edge of the cabinet to the front edge of the marquee area. Record this measurement on your sketch.
This measurement helps show the shape and depth of the cabinet’s upper profile. It is not the measurement of the marquee graphic itself.
If the cabinet has an unusual angle or shape around the marquee, make sure your drawing shows that clearly and label the measurement so we can understand where it was taken.
4. Leave Extra Material for Trimming
When providing your measurements, use the actual dimensions of your cabinet. Do not add extra material or bleed to your measurements.
At GameOnGrafix, we extend the printed artwork approximately ½–1 inch beyond the cabinet’s dimensions on every edge. This gives you extra material to trim during installation and helps accommodate small differences along the cabinet’s outline.
If your cabinet has unusual angles or rounded corners, show them as clearly as possible in your sketch. Don’t worry if you can’t reproduce every curve perfectly.
5. How We Fit Your Side Art
Once you provide your measurements, we size the side-art design to fit your cabinet’s dimensions.
Our artwork is layered, which allows us to adjust the layout when needed. If an important character or other visual element would end up in a difficult spot because of your cabinet’s shape, we can reposition it to help keep the important parts of the design visible.
Most customers order one of our existing side-art designs. If you’re ordering an existing design, provide your measurements with the order so we can size it appropriately.
If you’d like a completely custom design, visit our custom graphics printing page.
Ready to Find Side Art for Your Cabinet?
Now that you know how to measure your cabinet, browse our selection of arcade cabinet side art to find a design that fits your machine.
Have a design of your own in mind? Visit our custom graphics printing page to learn about printing your own artwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I add extra inches to my measurements for trimming?
No. Provide the actual dimensions of your cabinet. GameOnGrafix adds approximately ½–1 inch beyond every edge of the cabinet’s dimensions to give you extra material for trimming during installation.
What if my cabinet has unusual angles or rounded corners?
Include the angles and changes in shape in your sketch. If rounded corners are difficult to draw, approximate the curves or use squared-off corners. A straight-on photo of the cabinet’s side can also help explain its shape.
What if I'm not sure I've measured everything correctly?
Include your sketch and label each measurement clearly. GameOnGrafix uses the measurements provided when sizing your artwork. If a measurement appears incorrect or an important measurement is missing, we’ll contact you for clarification.