SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

How to get started making my own Decals

1065 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2008
How to get started making my own Decals
Posted by Arespontus on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:04 PM

Hello

 I would like to create my own decals and don't know what materials are needed to create them?

Is it possible to create decals just like the ones that come with models. If yes what type of paper should a shop for

Thanks

Scott

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Thursday, May 21, 2009 5:58 AM

there are a number of companies that make decal paper. two of them that i can think of off hand are micro mart and bare metal foil. with micro mart (maybe bare metal...not sure since i never used it but have seen it) you just make your own  decals (i design mine on a cad system...but im sure u can use various pictures, ms paint, etc) then print them on your computers printer (if ya have one). you then have to "seal" the ink with a type of "dull coat" so the ink doesnt run. micro mart also sells that. you can find their site by a simple search by typing "micromart"! i would look into other companies as well...just do a search if ya want more than what i've given you. hope that helps ya!

btw, the only drawback to their decal film is it isnt very thin and its a pain to try to seal them sometimes. not to mention if you dont do it right then try using any type of solvents to adhere it better or form arouond weird shapes it tends to eat away the sealant and ruins the decal. however, it may or may not do the depending on if ya do it right...took me awhile to "get it" and im not sure about you but its too exspensive to "practice on"!!

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Central CA
Posted by Division 6 on Friday, May 22, 2009 12:11 AM

You also don't get any white unless you buy the solid white paper instead of clear.

Make sure to buy the correct paper for the type of printer you are using, ie... Ink Jet or Laser.

 

Eric... 

  • Member since
    January 2005
Posted by danpik on Friday, May 22, 2009 12:22 PM
Decals taht come with comercially produced kits are mostly silk screen printed. This involves a separate screen for each color. and the various equipment for the process. The aftermarket industry has for years relied heavily on the Alps printers. hobbiests use lasers or inkjet printers to do one off prints. There are some disavantages to the home based printers though. As was mentioned above there is no white capability when using clear based paper. Also with the clear paper you are limited to putting the colored decal over a light color or white to get it to show up properly as lasers and inkjets do not print an opaque color. There are several sites on the web that cronicle how to do this. a little research will yield them.
  • Member since
    November 2008
Posted by Arespontus on Thursday, August 6, 2009 2:24 PM

Hello

Just wondering if Staples here in Canada would have the decal paper?

If they do how do I go about making a swastika for a Ju-87?

Is there someway I can make then at home. I'm not sure I feel comfortable going to 

Staples and asking them to print of swasika's lol

Maybe I could make a stencil of one and paint it on?

Thanks for your input

Scott

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Southern California
Posted by ModelNerd on Thursday, August 6, 2009 3:59 PM
No real need to print them. You can buy swastika decals in a sheet from most hobby stores, online or otherwise.

- Mark

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.