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Micro Decals???

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  • Member since
    February 2011
Micro Decals???
Posted by Hokey on Thursday, March 26, 2015 12:23 PM

Holy cow. Had no idea how SMALL 1/700 could be. Building 2 Great Lakes Ore boats. (1) The International and (2) The Harvester. The photos below show the text and graphic decals I need to "make".

But seeing the size of the models, compared to a dime, I can't imagine how to make them that small, let alone be legible for reading!

Hope you experienced pros can help me out!

Kit:

The Harvester:

The International:

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Thursday, March 26, 2015 1:46 PM
Check the web for micro dry transfers
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, March 27, 2015 9:05 AM

Ah, a man after my own heart- lakers are my favorite models.  Looks like resin- where did you get the models?

This would be a test of your printer.  Most graphics programs allow you to set pixel pitch, so that is not a problem- the problem will be whether your printer has enough resolution.  I think you should probably set ppi to about 1000.  Then do a test on a sheet of glossy paper, like photo paper.  Decal paper is much like photo paper.  

The decals for the white background are pretty easy- if you need white or light lettering on black, that is a bit more of a challenge, though a black, even a faded black, is easier to match than most colors.

I started making homemade inkjet decals first for a couple of lakers, worked well, then on to airplanes and cars.

Just a thought.  Many graphics programs allow scaling of an entire image.  You might try typing and graphics at several times the actual size needed, and then resize to a smaller scale once you get things right.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by Hokey on Friday, March 27, 2015 9:25 AM

Hey Don. Thx for the feedback. They are resin from ironshipwrights.com. I have the Edmund Fitz (1/700) to do as well but its a full hull model.

I'm finally getting around to the project I posted HERE 2 years ago! Geez, time flies!

I wish I could have found the same kits in about 1/350. Would have been a much better representation. 

Looking at the laker photos, it would seem like I have to print on white background for both the text vessel name as well as the IH logo. Do you agree?

The re-sized graphic mite be the best bet for sharpness and clarity actually.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Central Ohio
Posted by Ashley on Saturday, March 28, 2015 8:54 AM

Hokey, do you have a printer and program with which to make those decals?

Have you flown a Ford lately?

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, March 28, 2015 9:52 AM

Hokey

Hey Don. Thx for the feedback. They are resin from ironshipwrights.com. I have the Edmund Fitz (1/700) to do as well but its a full hull model.

I'm finally getting around to the project I posted HERE 2 years ago! Geez, time flies!

I wish I could have found the same kits in about 1/350. Would have been a much better representation. 

Looking at the laker photos, it would seem like I have to print on white background for both the text vessel name as well as the IH logo. Do you agree?

The re-sized graphic mite be the best bet for sharpness and clarity actually.

I agree that the logo and ship name on bow are dark on white.  What about the stern, though?  Many ships with black hulls have white lettering- ship name and home port- on black area of stern.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by Hokey on Saturday, March 28, 2015 10:00 AM

Ashley - I have an inkjet printer and various "paint" programs. Not a decal program specifically. Just not sure j can get legible text that small unless I use a graphic file. Don - I've never seen a photo of stern for either!

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Central Ohio
Posted by Ashley on Saturday, March 28, 2015 10:28 AM

Look for a PM

Have you flown a Ford lately?

  • Member since
    March 2015
Posted by Peaches on Sunday, March 29, 2015 1:18 AM

Ashley, could you send me that same information.  I am looking for some custom decals.

WIP:
Academy F-18 (1/72)

On Deck 

MH-60G 1:48 (Minicraft)

C-17 1/144

KC-135R 1/144

Academy F-18(1/72)

Ting Ting Ting, WTF is that....

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