Flags

[Kmot]

Somewhere in here we were discussing flags and the knowledge that their was a fabric that could be run through an inkjet printer came up. I can't find that thread.

But I want to report what I have done since that was discussed. I purchased some inkjet printable cotton fabric and made myself some flags. :)

Preface: I have purchased cotton flags from the "name brand model boat flag source" and they have cost me around $20 for a pair of flags delivered.

I purchased a package of Jacquard cotton inkjet sheets for $10.99 and that is for 10 sheets. So, $1.10 per sheet. On one sheet I printed out the entire flag alphabet and two USA flags and I had room for two more USA flags if I wanted but I was impatient to try it out. So that works out to about $0.15 cents per USA flag and $0.50 for the alphabet. Okay, doing the math that is $0.60 cents for a pair of flags, delivered, versus $20 bucks. I like that! :D

These sheets work fantastic! And I dare say, the flags I purchased from overseas were printed on this same style sheet and simply cut out and mailed. Because using their flags requires an identical process of removing from the paper backing and then folding and gluing the two halves together.

I highly recomend these fabric inkjet sheets. It is an extremely economical way to get cotton flags for pennies versus dollars. And you get them right now, not waiting for the mailman.

And thanks again to whoever mentioned them in the first place!! :cool:

[patmat2350]

Thanks!
Got a brand name there, Tom?

[Kmot]

Jacquard cotton inkjet sheets

http://www.jacquardproducts.com/products/kits/inkjet/cotton.php

[patmat2350]

Hmm, they also have printable silk...

http://www.jacquardproducts.com/products/kits/ExtravOrganza/

[Kmot]

I bought that too. ;)

[420TEE]

Where do you get the flag patterns to print?

[herrmill]

Thanks for the tip. I'm in need of some flags I can't locate locally & it won't cost much to put a few of these sheets in the mail.

I'm finding that small pirate flags are hard to come by as well as Japanese naval ensigns... :eek:

Chuck

[Kmot]

Thinking about the flags I had purchased from "overseas" I think I need to correct my comments from above. I think now those flags are printed with ink that goes all the way through. The folded part is what goes around the flag pole. It's been a long time....

Anyway, these when folded over and glued with Elmers white glue spread on super thin are not too thick when completed. At least I do not think so.

Flag patterns:

http://www.demo.com.hk/flags/flags.htm

[toesup]

Hey Kmot!...
There is a Springer half way down the 'doll' page..
http://www.demo.com.hk/dollboat/dollboataccessories.htm

Someone in HK has a Springer... :eek:

[Kmot]

How about that. Actually, he makes them:

http://www.demo.com.hk/project/tailormade/tailormade.htm

[gbrobbins]

Can you print a page of adhesive American Flags on to the fabric with a regular inkjet printer or do you have special ink.

Gteat post. Tks

GB Robbins

[Kmot]

There is no adhesive on the cotton fabric. At least not this version. I used Elmers glue, spread very thin with a toothpick, to glue the folded halves together.

And the ink is regular inkjet stuff that you use to print out normal paper.

[steamboatmodel]

I haven't tried it yet, but I think the silk printed would be better.
Regards,
Gerald

[Kmot]

I am going to use the silk version to make some "burgees".

http://www.burgees.com/

[Rob_P]

What happens when the flag gets wet?
Do you have to spray them with something to stop the inks running?

[pkboo]

Thanx Tom, didn´t know about the cotton possibility. Jacquard is represented here and I just ordered some, should be in before week end´s. Eugène

[John Pilot]

Can you run the sheets of cotton / slik through a color laser printer? If you can, that might provide a waterproof flag (or could set the printer on fire :eek: ... OK, maybe not cause a fire, but could create a major jam... :o )

[Kmot]

Can you run the sheets of cotton / slik through a color laser printer?
I haven't a clue! :o

[patmat2350]

Tom-

I know you printed both sides and folded... did the inkjet ink not soak through? That would let you go with a single thickness, like the BECC flags...

[Kmot]

There is a paper backing, and the fabric is glued lightly to the paper. So no, the ink cannot penetrate.

I believe the BECC flags must actually be printed on both sides.

[patmat2350]

No, it's pretty clear that BECC's ink just soaks right through... don't know if it's "printed" or silk screened though. Since the ink is waterproof, I suspect screen printing.

With the Jacquard material- if the ink doesn't penetrate the fabric, then it won't be because of the paper backing... maybe the fabric is coated? And you print onto the coating?

[Kmot]

I don't have any idea Pat. Why don't you call them and get the skinny?

http://www.jacquardproducts.com/contact.php

[Shaun Hendricks]

They make 'fabric' sheets for inkjets. There are some good 'iron on' sheets out there you can use with a piece of regular fabric and they are washable and pretty durable. Any office supply store should have these kinds of printable pages for a standard inkjet.

[pkboo]

I'm not sure if it will work but you guys should be able to "save this image as" as one big jpeg image with the click of the right mouse button. Please feed me back on the outcome :o

As a good Dutchman :confused: I've found the jacquard prints a little expensive even though a lot cheaper than having to buy them :eek: so I gathered some other flags I googled for and decided to make good use of the whole sheet. I've now finished with 1/72 scale, going for the 1/35 and 1/32 next, the 1/20 (have no clue if it's truly 1/20) was a first experiment. The sheets are excellent and I'ld recommend them in a cinch. Boo

[John Pilot]

PKBOO, tried running them through a color laser printer yet?

[pkboo]

Yep, excellent results! Only the last row of german flags on the 1st sheet ran out on the black a little, odd though all the red and black on the rest stayed in place. I'm changing the RN Ensign, I noticed it was taken from a real flag :( and is discolored, sorry about that. Boo

[thorsail]

Hi guys - first off , thanks for the info in this thread ... this is what I have
been looking for also , however as I am computer challenged I have not
been able to A) resize the flags or B) get them to print out correctly .
I actually got an Email reply from that fella at demo.com and he told me
how to send the image to my "word pad" function , but I'm stuck there .
I want to use the signal and alphabet flags on a line to "dress ship" for my
RC Soling , so I want the alphabet flags to be like one inch high on the fly
and about 1.5 inches long . The numbers I want one inch high by whatever
lenght they scale out to ( cause they are longer ) But I just can't resize
them properly - if I do make them bigger they get blurred !
One thing I did figure out is when you right click on the images off that
site , is to hit the "refresh this image" tab - pulls them right into focus !
Also , I got lucky - right before I was gonna buy the Jacquard silk a
chain store ( Michaels ) had a 50% off coupon for 1 item last weekend, so...
Anyway - if any of you could post up any suggestions on how I can
proceed I sure would appreciate it ! Thanks

Allan
S1M
Nirvana
AMYA member

[arrow5]

Just one point on the British flag, the second one on the line is correct. The first one has the thin white diagonal on top of the red , this should be a broad white. Both sides should have the broader white at top. Imagine the colour had bled right through on the second flag. The staff would be on the left in this picture.

[steveciambrone]

Wrong USA flag for WWI and WWII, need a 48 star flag for WWII.

Thanks
Steve

[pkboo]

Thanx, so far on the feedback, guys! Kmot sorry for the hijack of the thread :( Ye gott me ash fhar as duwnloadin' all kinda pirate flags, Ye know :D I will work on the feedback and rework the jpegs. I've made a 1/35'ish WWII bad/good guy sheet and a 1/30'ish pirate sheet so far. I've got enough pirate material to make another full sheet :eek:

Thor, wordpad ain't the very best for this kinda work, I use Photo impression from arcsoft which works pretty well with jpeg's as well as with gif's. Photoshop would work just as well I guess. When the rework is done I'll post what I've got and you would be able to download it. The detail printed is amazing, I'm using an HP DJ815C with alternative ink and the colors are vivid, to the smallest detail :cool: Boo

[pkboo]

JP, sorry I'm using an inkjet! I misstook your Q!

[Kmot]

It's okay. :D

You are just doing what I did already and show in the very first picture of this thread. I import the various flags into Word and then print the page out.

[Kmot]

Since this was brought up again, I wanted to report that of all the times I have run the B'Bay with the new flags on it, so far, no running of the colors has been noticed. And I figure they must be getting splashed at least a little bit because my previous flags were just printed on paper and they got splashed as well and the colors did indeed run and spread.

[thorsail]

Hi Guys
since this thread came around again , thought I would drop in for an
update on my flag project - did not have 100% success with those flag
images from the guy in HongKong . My friends are very good with 'puters
and I finally got some help - they said , oh , these are bitmap and need
to put into a jpeg..... ok , so they typed I watched and the number flags
were fine, still couldn't get the alphabet to resize and not be blurey. arrrg.
So I went into my "paint" program and just sat there and made
rectangles and marked them out and only needed 3 colors ( paper white
is the 4th color ) and you know what ? they turned out pretty good !
While I was doing this , I test ran the images on std. printer paper and
put those together as a trial , put them on my Nirvana project boat . Then
I printed them out for real on the Jacquard silk inkjet paper and that was
good too .
Couple tips - if you have the chain store "Michaels" near you use the
coupons from the Sunday ads - I got my silk "paper" for half off that way.
I then looked up what to use for glue - turns out there is a product line
called "Beacon's" - I picked up a 4oz. bottle of "3-in-1" craft glue - it's
clear , acid free and waterproof .
last thought for the "purest's" out there - I found this link that shows
proper flag sequence for "dressing ship" and that info is at.......
www.sew-lexicon.com/Flags/Dress_ship_flags.htm
(basically its every 3rd flag is a number , starting from the stern )

Allan
Chicago

[pkboo]

Since this was brought up again, I wanted to report that of all the times I have run the B'Bay with the new flags on it, so far, no running of the colors has been noticed. And I figure they must be getting splashed at least a little bit because my previous flags were just printed on paper and they got splashed as well and the colors did indeed run and spread.
Same experience here Tom, a good heads up! Boo

[sail_rc]

No, it's pretty clear that BECC's ink just soaks right through

BECC use a Special Technique to print their flags. Nut they are Printed both sides. If the Ink was to 'soak through', you wouldn't be able to get a Crisp/Sharp image on the opposite side.

[Shaun Hendricks]

Or a crisp clear image on the print side.

The only way to get a clear image is for the ink to remain on the surface of the object being printed. Any 'soak' and you get bleed effects, paper, fabric or whatever.

Micro silk screening would be the best way to to flags that have staying power and some life span. The problem is that micro silk screening is not fun unless you have the right gear.

[Kmot]

My home made flags are still in perfect condition... :rolleyes:

[Shaun Hendricks]

I'm talking about flags that replicate real ones in the ability to handle the elements, not the short exposure of the occasional RC outing before going back on the shelf or in a box.

Inkjet inks fade notoriously fast in sunlight and unless sealed, most run when exposed to water. Silkscreening inks are more durable and weather worthy. That's all I was expressing.

[ralphhager]

Where can one buy "Micro Silk Screening Flags" for model boats? Or can you tell me where I can buy more durable and weather worthy model boat flags. :confused:

[Shaun Hendricks]

As far as I know you can't. You'd have to find a screening shop that handled micro silkscreening techniques. Some normal shops should have screens fine enough to handle scales in the 30's or larger. You'd have to ask around to see what they can do.

Last I checked (years ago) you could get business cards silkscreened with some great detail, so you might want to check with a business card place, they might be able to go that small and be very legible and durable. They might be able to send you to a good shop as well.

It might be a good business offering if you already had a model boat/railroad based business.

[gbrobbins]

Looking for Japanese flags,( rising sun) I have the Jacquard cotton stuff but need some good images to print.
Tks
G. B Robbins
:D :D

[patmat2350]

http://flagspot.net/flags/

[patmat2350]

Where can one buy "Micro Silk Screening Flags" for model boats? Or can you tell me where I can buy more durable and weather worthy model boat flags. :confused:

If you don't want to make your own, this is the source for BECC flags. Fast and relatively cheap international shipping... I've used many BECC flags, and soaked them plenty... never a problem. Lots of varieties and sizes too.
http://www.modelflags.com/

6" 50 star BECC flag on my 1:10 YTL:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2421258

http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/attachments/4/9/6/5/9/a2421258-73-yc_0610.jpg