I'm mathematically challenged. I need to reduce a decal down to 1:6 scale. I want to do it on my scanner. Can I just copy it and save it to a custom size? If it is that easy then what is the reduction I choose? .....600%

What you'll want to do is first scan the page in your model instruction sheet which shows the decal placement. Then, scale that scan up (or down) to match your model's actual size. Now, you can properly determine your decal's final target size. Next, scan in your decal, then scale it up or down as needed to match your first scan's decal dimensions. If your software does not allow you to scale with drag handles, you can probably do it numerically. To easily figure the proper percentage, you can use a proportion wheel, which is a common device for determining scale percentages. There are many free proportion wheels on the web. Just do a Google search for "online proportion wheel".

Panzer Madness wrote:

I'm lost. I don't get those online proportioners. How does one enter 13x5?? I'm not sure if I correctly explained myself but here I go: It's a real life sized decal. I'm not using the kit's decals. And I am a hopeless mathematical idiot, (I'll get it eventually).

OK. Try this. First obtain the length measurement of the actual full size vehicle, front to back. Now measure your model front to back.

Now go here: http://www.copyitmailit.com/p.htm

Take the first measurement (actual vehicle size) and enter it in the first box (original size).

Next, enter the model's length in the second box (new size).

Now click the "Calculate percent" button. This is your percentage of reduction.

Now measure your actual (full) size decal at its widest point. 

Now grab a handheld calculator* and take that decal measurement and multiply it by the reduction percentage you just got from the online proportion calculator.

Example: If the actual decal is 10" across, and the percentage number you got from the online calculator was, say, 22.45%,  you would punch in on your handheld calculator 10 x .2245 =

This gives you 2.245, or roughly 2-1/4" (rounded). This means your final decal should be about 2-1/4" at its widest point.

*You can also do this calculation online at the same website page via the secondary (lower) calculator (Get New Size). Referring again to our example above, enter the 10 in the top box (original size) and enter the percentage (22.45) into the bottom box (New Percent), then click the "Calculate Size" button.

You did not mention which editing software you are using, but most can manipulate scans by either dragging handles, scaling tools, or with numeric scaling.

 

What's with all the math and scale converters?  Like Waikong said, you need to get the image down it 16.7%, which is 1 / 6 = 16.7, of it original size. 

Scan the image at hi-res and save it full size.  When you go to print the decal, somewhere in your printer setup there will be a control, usually called Scaling, where you can set the size of the print.  Set it at 16.7% (or17 if it won't take a decimal) and it will print the image at 1/6 its original size.

And to answer your original question, yes that too is an option.  Scan the original, save it and with a graphics program, resize it and save. 6 of 1, half dozen of another.  I prefer the 1^st method since it is easier to make adjustment to the final size when you prtint.

I'd say 15.77% and 16.70% are pretty darn close.

Scaling it down, just divide length and width by 6... eg, if it's 1 foot long, 12in, divided by 6, = 2in.