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How many times can I print on decal paper

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  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 8:04 PM

gunner_chris
By tape would you suggest painters tape to reduce damage when peeling up or would that be too thick?

It shouldn't really matter. I've used whatever is close to hand---Tamiya yellow tape, 3M blue tape, even regular "Scotch"  tape---and I've never had any problem with damage when peeling off. Low-tack painters tape works fine, or just avoid peeling and cut out the decal section with an Xacto knife. My printer is a U-feed HP, and I've run everything from full sheets to near postage-stamp size without issues.

Have fun. Making your own markings opens up whole new worlds of modeling possibilities.

Greg

 

Greg

George Lewis:

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  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Ontario, Canada
Posted by gunner_chris on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 7:26 PM
I know my printer will go down to 4x6, and it is a rear feed one. But I really like the method of printing on the plain paper and then taping the size I need. I think it will suit my needs for trying to maximize the decal sheet. The 1/72 25 pounder I'm working on will have some vehicle markings that are 5mmx5mm if not smaller so I should be able to limit waste of the paper. By tape would you suggest painters tape to reduce damage when peeling up or would that be too thick?

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 6:08 PM

It also depends on the design of your printer. If you have a straight thru feed, It will be less likely to damage the paper compared to a sharp "U" feed (like many HP Printers).

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Toledo, Ohio
Posted by phoneguy on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 5:26 PM

I always run a plain white sheet through also.  I have one decal sheet that has several cut-outs from previous printing that I still can use.  Use the plain to get the orrientation right and the size, then run the decal paper through.  I use an officejet and havent had any probs with it jamming or skewing.  m22 cents

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  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: italy
Posted by bsyamato on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 9:54 AM

usually waited to fill up the sheet, but just a tip: check the minimum duimension sheet that your printer can accept, or she just don't print it and get it out 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 9:29 AM

I run the paper through my inkjet printer many times, cutting off the printed area after printing.  This may not work as well with laser decals- the heat does seem to affect the paper.

My paper feed does not work as well for small sheets- the paper starts skewing sideways a bit.  So I prefer to run the full sheet width through.  I lay out the decals arranged so that they are in a wide strip of limited length.  Then I chop off the strip as square as possible so the next time it feeds as square as possible.  A paper cutter works well for this.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: SE Pennsylvania
Posted by padakr on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 10:18 PM

I've run an ever smaller length of decal paper through an inkjet printer several times.  Have to watch out for places that can snag.  Greg's suggestion of cutting out the size you need and taping it to the test paper sheet sounds like a good one.

Paul

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 3:02 PM

Chris:

It's a lot easier to cut a piece of decal sheet to the size you need. I usually print out my design on a plain sheet of paper to get the size and location needed, then lightly tape an appropriately-sized section of decal paper over that design and run it through again to make the decal. Saves a bunch on wasted sheet.

One tip---tape all four sides of the section of decal paper. That way the printer head will pass over it smoothly and print without catching or hanging up.

Good luck.

Greg

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Ontario, Canada
How many times can I print on decal paper
Posted by gunner_chris on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 2:08 PM
I'm looking to buy some decal paper to run through my printer, but I'm curious if there's any limitation either manufacturer or just from experience to how many times I can run the same sheet through. Since mostly I'm working in 1/72, and N scale model railroad then most decals are very small so I wouldn't want to waste a whole sheet on a couple items. Nor would I like to wait until I have a sheets worth of decals to print. If it makes a difference I'm using a canon inkjet. Thanks in advance.

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