decal making for the newb

What's the best computer software (or the best method) on making your own decals? I'm currently working on a 1/6 Tamiya motorcycle. I'm painting mine in a different scheme than what the kit provided. Therefore I need to make my own decals for the fuel tank and the side cover (those strips). I already order a set of the REAL decal from Honda. Now my job is to make a set of decal that's 1/6 the size of it. The decals are not in any regular shape...so I can't draw it.

I'm thinking maybe I can scan the original decal and then outline it and somehow scale it to 1/6 on the computer and then fill in the colors...but how? Any particular programs?

Also, what do I print it to? Where can I get blank decal sheets?

Hello
Do you know http://www.tlai.com ?

Kelly,

This may help you out some





By the way, what BUFF unit(s) did you serve with?


Fade to Black...

Does anyone happen to know the font for USAF markings such as tail codes and numbers. Looking to make a set of decals but need the right fonts for the particular acft Im modeling

Kelly Wolfe

I used a decal sheet from Baremetal Foil. Produced the graphics on my home PC. Copied the file to disk and took it to a professional printer who used his colour lazer printer to print to the sheet. After I got the sheet home, I apply a thin coat of Liquid Decal Film from Microscale to protect the inks. Applied the decals like any other.

fcollingwood is absolutely right about the Alps printer though. If you want to print white in you decals you will need one of those.
Otherwise you have to do some serious planning and use a decal sheet with a white background.

An Alps MD-1300 printer