Decal Material

[Anonymous]

Hi all
I got some trim film(decal paper), and created my own herald and lettering, and printed them out using an inkjet(Microscale doesn't recommend the inkjet, but it's all I got). I ordered Microscale's Liquid Decal Film(they also recommend coating the finished decal to avoid running). Well, I let the decals sit for almost a week, and then I thought I'd put them in plastic to keep the dust off them until the decal film got here. The ink still smeared! I couldn't believe it was still wet.
I'd like to hear from someone who's done their own printing. Microscale suggests using a laser printer, so I'm seriously thinking of buying a new one(we use it quite a bit around here any way, so I wouldn't be totally wasting the money just to print decals). But I don't want to buy one and have the same problems. To paraphrase Monty Python, "Any help would be.....uh.....very.....umm.....helpful." Thanks.

Tom "Ohio North Eastern" S.

[mkblk]

Although I think that decals are the best way to go (with dry transfers coming in second), I've tried "Mrs. Grossmans" stickers. If you're not a fanatic about absolute realism (I don't think the real railroads used decals or transfers anyway) you might find that stickers look pretty darn good. I just "stickered" a Bachmann logging caboose and I think it looks great! A major plus is the price, only $3.00 for 2 sheets, and availability (from A.C. Moore). The type I used are gold printed on clear background, so they do look very much like decals. I haven't oversprayed them yet, but will do so to protect them the same as you would protect decals or transfers.

You can contact Mrs. Grossman's at 800-429-4549 or www.mrsgrossmans.com on the web. They welcome ideas, suggestions or questions.

MK

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mryombee

Does anyone know where the raw (blank) material that is used to make decals can be purchased.

The idea being that one can make up their own decals on a computer and then print them off!

Thanks

Hi there,
Check out a thread under "Scratchbuilding and Kitbashing" regarding the Testors Decal Making Kit. We covered a lot there in my trials and tribulations! BTW...Welcome to the forum! Got your email and will reply ASAP. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

I use a very sucessful (relative) mix of decals and dry transfers. What I don't like 'bout the testors thing (although it works very well) is that it does not come with a full 8x11 sheet of the material. It comes with a small "sample" size.

I have had to tape it to a large piece of card stock for my machine to take it since it comes coiled in the box. Now, I tried to press it flat (believe me Websters Dictionary and an Old San Antonio phone book can testify).

[TheJoat]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

I don't use Decals, I don't see why anyone else should either.

Rgds Ian

Ian,
So, what do you use?

[mryombee]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

I don't use Decals, I don't see why anyone else should either.

Rgds Ian

I am interested in decals because for the most part, I can't draw stick people...

My idea is for creating signs / billboards and so on. Hand painting them is out. This give anyone the ability to make small signs for windows.... or just making blinds if one wishes.

As for the clear cote (overspray) it can be picked up from most hobby or art shops. It works well, as I have used it on other applications.

As for a program, I use a desktop publisher (PageMaker) once created, the intent will be to print them out on to a color laser. I like the idea of the blue backing, it makes perfect sense to me as well.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Anonymous]

What is everyone's favorite computer program to make the decals?

[Anonymous]

I don't use Decals, I don't see why anyone else should either.

Rgds Ian

[cacole]

I don't know what the overspray is, but it is sold by MicroMark and possibly by other places that sell blank decals. The ink used in an ink jet printer will smear when you try to apply the decal if it is not sprayed beforehand. I assume the spray is some type of clear, flat plastic material.

[Wdlgln005]

The Testors decal kit is sold at WalMart. Look in the model dept, about $6.00. Your LHS may also sell separate decal sheets. You could use plain paper for test shots. Most of the software that comes in ther kit is designed for car models.

[grandpopswalt]

Cacole,

What overspray product is used to set the type?

Walt

[kstrong]

I get mine from MicroMark. If you're going to get clear decal paper, I recommend getting the clear decal paper with the blue paper backing. It makes it much, much easier to see the decals once they're printed. This is particularly valuable when printing light colors that blend into the background of the white paper. If you've got an ALPS printer and are printing white decals, it's almost a necessity to print on the blue-backgrounded paper. Otherwise, you're going to drive yourself mad trying to angle the light so you can cut the decals properly. (Ask me how I know--next time, I'm ordering the blue stuff.)

Later,

K

[mryombee]

Thanks for all the info here, I did not have much luck searching the web. I will check out the web sites.

[Anonymous]

Testors also makes it, can be found in most hobby shops. [;)]

[8D]

[Tom The Brat]

I got 25 sheets for about $25 from "Beldecal." I got the clear, but I find I'm always painting white and putting the decal over the paint. Should have got white:D

[cacole]

Micro-Mark sells blank decal material in either clear or white, and for both Ink Jet and Laser printers. Their Web site is http://www.micromark.com or phone [phone]. Current prices are $5.95 (plus shipping and handing) for 5 sheets of clear, item number 82272, for an Ink Jet printer, or $99.95 for 100 sheets. Check all the caveats about these products before ordering, because some of the laser printer decals require an Alps printer that is no longer in production, and the Ink Jet decals require an overspray to set the ink.

[mryombee]

Does anyone know where the raw (blank) material that is used to make decals can be purchased.

The idea being that one can make up their own decals on a computer and then print them off!

Thanks