self made decals

It might help if you provided some details of what materials you used to make your decals, and how you apply them.

I've made quite a few decal sets with my inkjet printer, mainly using BareMetal Foil's "Experts Choice" decal papers, and they do show a tendency to curl somewhat, probably because of the sealer coat that must be used first. Giving the decals plenty of time to separate from the backing, and sliding the decals directly from the backing paper onto the model, will help limit the twisting and folding, Judiciously-applied setting solutions help them to lay down.

What are you using for setting solutions and what decal paper did you use? The problem sounds to me like you're using something too aggressive which is reacting with the decal. Just a guess.  

Chris

Most importantly, did you apply a coat of fixative decal spray after printing them?

Silver

99% of decal paper/material is not thick enough or of bad quality.Also setting solutions attack the material used.

What is the one percent that is? 

I have found most decal stock for inkjet printing is actually a bit thicker than some of the really thin stuff sold by some of the printed decal guys.  Anything over about an inch or so becomes hard without cutting each decal into smaller sections.  With those, and inkjet decals too, is to place wetted decal on paper right next to where it goes, and sliding it on to model.  Never hold it free in air.

Another problem I find with inkjet is getting too thick of a sealing coat.  This creates tension in coating which wants to make decal curl up and go concave.  A real problem when covering a curved surface. One needs to get sealing coating just right- thick enough to waterproof ink, but not thick enough to cause curling.

Hi Greg.  The paper I am using comes from Micro-Mark And the decal set is from Model Master.  You have a better quality that you use?  I usualy dont have any problem with it but This is the secand time now that it happened.  I am thinking I might have put to thick of a coat of decal set on it. (I hope!)  

Where can you purchase the paper that you have listed and is it clear or white paper?   Thanks for your help!!!   Cpt Stover

THanks for the help!!

Cpt.Stover

Hi Greg.  The paper I am using comes from Micro-Mark And the decal set is from Model Master.  You have a better quality that you use?  I usualy dont have any problem with it but This is the secand time now that it happened.  I am thinking I might have put to thick of a coat of decal set on it. (I hope!)  

Where can you purchase the paper that you have listed and is it clear or white paper?   Thanks for your help!!!   Cpt Stover

I've used Micro-Mark paper without any problems.

I suspect  that the thickness of the clear-coat over the decal is the likely problem. Try one or two super-light coats, and see if that makes any difference. Good luck.

My projects are ready for the contest events

Present and accounted for.

I use Micro-Mark paper with the Micro-Mark spray sealer. Have never had any issues. I spray two thin coats of sealer.  I have used both Microsol/Microset and Model Master solvent and set without and issues when applying the decals. I have even used Micro-Mark's spray sealer on old decals so they won't fall apart. The older out of print microscale decals seem to not age very well but I have been able to salvage them.