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 Posted - March 07 2013 : 2:38:50 PM
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Does anyone here make their own decals? If so could you briefly describe the process--where can you buy the blank decal film? Will a normal color printer work? Thanks
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Posted - March 07 2013 : 3:38:26 PM
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| If you do a search for "Decals" in this data base a few should show up.
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Posted - March 07 2013 : 4:19:02 PM
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I've made one or two. I got the decal paper from Walthers, used Microsoft office for the words I was using. I test printed the "decal" on white paper to judge the size. Printed in black ink, then sealed with a decal sealer from Walters. The decal sealer was applied after printing, before submersion in water. If you use an ink jet printer and do not seal them the ink will wash off in the water.
Mine were very basic, a slogan for the layouts water tower, but it worked well. I'm thinking of trying more but need the time...............Tom
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Posted - March 07 2013 : 5:47:05 PM
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Perhaps I have mentioned it in my various projects posts over the past year and a half, but I bought BEL clear decal paper, a ten- pack for about $15.00 at that time. Each sheet is standard-sized 11x8.5.
If you get white decal paper, you then must cut very close to your logo outline to make it work against a colored background, and don't even try that with lettering, because you will go nuts trying to do it cleanly, not to mention white spaces connecting between words or letters needing to be covered!
The process, which is on YouTube, is basically: design your decal, either as text using MS Word or WordPerfect, insert an image and print the file with the decal paper inverted in the paper tray by itself, without any regular paper below it ( the slickness of the decal base coating will cause other paper to ride into the platen as the print starts). Once printed, the sheet is set to dry out for a few minutes- remember, you are printing liquid ink on a slick surface. Then, using Krylon clear gloss spray, I spray several passes over the paper. This gives the decal protection and strength. Then I set the paper aside to cure overnight. I can then cut decals out of the paper and use filtered tap or bottled water to soak and apply, as normal. The surface the decal applies to should be glossy.
I use Microsol or similar decal "wetting" solution to soften the decal for better layout on the model. I follow with Dullcote after a 24 hr set period.
I never have a full sheet of decals, so I usually do about 1.5 inches of decals ( more, if its larger or if used for repeat applications, such as my railroad's own logo.). Then I cut off the used portion with the printing and save
the balance of that one sheet ( now shorter, such as 8 x 9, etc) and do another set when I need to, making sure
That I push the paper tray guides forward to enable the shortened paper to roll onto the printer pick- up mechanism.
I draw much of my text with AutoCAD, as the font is very clear when I scale it down below the lowest font size allowed by Word (6). See my Great Northern weight car (the orange one) article for images of clear very small font.
You can use MS Paint to do logo and text, but the resulting file is BMP, even when saved as a jpg or jpeg file, as there is substantial drop off in clarity for small details and the fonts themselves.
There are other graphics programs out there- several free- that do the same good job as AutoCAD, but I use that one in my teaching and am very comfortable with it.
Alternatively, I have printed signs using MS Paint on Avery address labels of white slick, white matte and clear matte types which have worked out well for structures, where their adhesive backing is a benefit for just applying to a flat surface.
You can't print white lettering- the old ALPS printers could, but they are rare as hens teeth now. You can print outline letters which have white effect if applied to a white background - or any logo with white portions of its design, applied similarly.
I will be doing that soon on a Great Northern "safety first" round logo which has white bands- applying a self- printed logo decal to a piece of white styrene, then painting around the outermost circle with black paint.
Most of my projects have been decaled by my own printing- look up the old posts for visual examples.
Hope this helps.
Siouxlake Ron
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Posted - March 08 2013 : 09:50:55 AM
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http://goingincirclez.com/MakingDecals
Almost everything the average user needs to know, from my trials and errors and ultimate successes.
"How" you do it, largely depends on "what" you want to do...
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Posted - March 18 2013 : 01:21:44 AM
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Yeah, I've been wondering about decal making too. I'd like to get a set for the Greenwich and Johnsonville (Battenkill) railroad, so I can repaint a few athearn RS-2's (even though they've got 2 RS-3's). Quite a nice short line; I hope they make money again this year
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