Making decals

[Chris F]

Although we have a fantastic archive of decals for scale aircraft here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359029 , what do you do with them?

I had this problem a while ago and never fully resolved this issue. My preferred method was to buy laser printable transfer paper, but this meant I couldn't print white, which is often important. I have heard of white transfer paper, and transfer paper for ink-jet printers too but I haven't been able to find them. I have also heard of white sticky backed printable vinyl. Where do you get this?

I ended up printing some of my decals onto sticky label paper available from an office supply shop, but I would have preferred something much thinner and more waterproof.

What materials do you use for decals, especially with white in them?

For those who paint on their decals, I would be interested to know any tips regarding masking etc.

[Pongo]

I have my own vinyl cutter, so that makes it easy for me. :) I got tired of paying the sign shops for crappy work.

There are vinyl cutters available that also print on the vinyl, but they cost $$$$. I don't know of anything that would work on a standard ink-jet and print on vinyl.

When I need to create full color decals, or something very small then I like to print on the glossy sticker paper. I then put a clear vinyl over the top of this to protect it further. Clear packing tape will even do the trick quite well.

[Ledbetter]

I just bought some of this:

http://www.bare-metal.com/Experts-Choice-Decal-Film.html

but haven't used it yet. There may be others.

[RMihara]

Bel-Decal (http://www.beldecal.com/)

They sell water-slide decal paper for both Inkjet and Laser (I use both types) in clear and white.

-r

[Chris F]

Thanks guy's, that is a great help.

[turbodriven]

The printable white vinyl sticker material you spoke of is available as "bumper sticker printer media". I had a stack of it a while back that came in handy for many many things. I need to get some more now that I think about it. Back when I had it I think I found it at an Office Depot... or maybe it was Wal Mart. Don't remember. It's available online though for sure.

[bobthenuke]

For making waterslide decals I use transparent decal paper and my ALPS 300 printer. The printer uses cassette style ribbon wax/ink cartridges including white and some metallics (gold, silver, red, blue) and so as long as I have an accurate file to print with the layers layed out properly I can pretty much make any color and style of decal I wish. The white tends to be rather thin, so a couple of passes ensures a nice white section or background.

I don't know if these printers are available anymore, but they don't/didn't cost a lot and do a beautiful job, including true photo quality printing including a gloss top coat.

Hope this helps,

...bob

[simages]

I make my decals using a software kit called Decal Maker from Sure Thing. http://www.decalgear.com/DG/

The kit is inexpensive, has a great starter package and the requirements are as follows;

Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP
16MB RAM (64MB for Windows 2000/XP)
VGA or better monitor (800x600 resolution or greater recommended)
CD-ROM drive
64MB of available hard disk space
Windows compatible inkjet or laser printer

I use an HP 2355 All in One inkjet printer and when the decal sheets are dry, Testors decal bond is applied.

hope this helps

[Jiffy]

Cor I been waiting for this thread in ages, thats what these forums were built for, nice job guys, thanks very much.

All I've been doing is getting my decal sorted in Photoshop and printing it with a Nice HP Colour Laser Printer at work, cutting round it and sticking on with POR glue, then some Ronseal Wood Varnish to fuel proofing, you guys have given me some new ideas :)

thanks

[JeffK813]

I urge anyone interested in making quality decals to find an ALPS printer. They can be found inexpensively on eBay and they produce EXCELLENT quality decals.

Though I haven't done any for my R/C projects yet, I have used mine to make repro decals for two old Estes rocket kits that I reproduced. The first rocket is a Der Red Max, which Estes has now put back into production, but here's my version:

http://www.k8ysv.net/images/host/misc/DRM.jpg

Sorry about the size, but it should give a hint of what the ALPS is capable of. I should add that since these decals are all black and whit, this could easily be done with a laser or inkjet printer (laser is more even in black though) and white water-slide decal paper.

Another rocket I reproduced is called the Starblazer X-20 and I re-drew these decals, then printed them out on the ALPS printer:

http://www.k8ysv.net/images/host/misc/SBX20.jpg

Again, sorry for the small pic size.

Both of these rockets were painted in the base colors, decals were applied, and then several layers of clear were put over them.

The ALPS printer and a good vector-based image program and the sky's the limit on decals.