Make Your Own Decals! - Anyone done this before?

[Anonymous]

Ryan,

I made a whole bunch of decals.....

After choosing my road name, I tried out a bunch of different fonts and layouts in MS Word. After I found what I wanted, I set up my type in a word file and emailed it to a friend with an ALPS printer. In a short amount of time he made me many decals. My suggestion: Find some one with an ALPS printer and make a deal.

[SilverSpike]

smyers,

Those photo color printers are great for sure! I also have a third printer; it is a Canon i960 that specializes in photo quality image printing with photo paper. I suppose a little trial and error with all three of my printers will be the true test. I have a version of MGI Photo Suite that may allow the ability to increase the dpi, still need to check into that issue. Thanks for the helpful clues and tips, you have pointed me in the right direction.

- Ryan

[Anonymous]

We have a LEXMARK 5200 series any thoughts on this, oh and by the
way my diesels ARE harbor blue?

[Anonymous]

Well, Ryan, the little box on my PC says "HP Photosmart 7150 series". Mine is probably a low end model as it lacks the slot for a digital camera memory card and an LCD preview screen. It takes a 57 color cartridge and a 56 or 58 black. It's USB connected. It'll do 4800x1200 dpi. I'm amazed at the quality of detail of even the smallest text I've done. That would be some of the warning data like "Fuel Cut Off" or "Danger 600 Volts" etc. Every letter has crisp, clear serifs even though I need a magnifier to see them! Maybe not Microscale quality but certainly adequate for the non-contest modeler, especially under a coat of weathering. The ink appears to be oil-based as it takes a while to dry and has that "texture" to it. I ran a 20 year old sheet of decal paper through it with no problems.

The other aspect of this decal thing is the source file and application. I set up a 1200 dpi document using Photoshop to print from. Any good image editor will work as you can adjust the resolution of the file. I don't know if a word proccessor will do that. A 1200 dpi image creates a huge file that takes some time to print and modify, but the results are worth it. It won't do as well from lower rez files. Until I started using high rez documents to begin with, my print-outs were Joe Average, even with the photo printer.

Of course, you can't print white, though you can knock white out of another color with a paint program and print on white paper . And the light colors are not opaque enough to cover dark paint on a model. But for dark or black letters and graphics the potential is high. This weekend, I hope to actually use some of my test shots as decals after clear coating them. I hope it works! The PC has great potential especially for free-lancers. I've hated lining up dozens of teeny little letters on the hood of a diesel!

Good Luck,
smyers

[SilverSpike]

smyers,

[:D] I look forward to the details!

Thanks,

Ryan

[Anonymous]

Ryan,

I'm at the office now, but I'll post the details for you when I get home in a few hours.

Best,
smyers

[SilverSpike]

smyers,

Thanks for the info on the HP printer! I have an old HP LaserJet 4 but is has been acting up lately with frequent paper jams. What model HP printer are you using?

Thanks,

Ryan

[Anonymous]

I have a high resolution HP printer and have been working on this decal issue, too. I made a 1200 dpi Photoshop document to print from. So far, I've found that the print quality as far as detail is concerned, is great...as long as I print with dark or black ink. Lighter colors look fine on white paper, but aren't opaque enough to cover dark paint. I'll have to design a railroad color scheme that uses a light main color and dark lettering, all freelance, of course.

Good Luck, Everyone,
smyers

[SilverSpike]

Bob,

I have an Epson Color InkJet 760 which is about 3 years old.

Thanks,

Ryan

[cmrproducts]

Ryan

The newer Epson all use the dura-bright inks. So if you have an older machine it may now be able to use the OIL based ink. In which case you may have to invest in a new machine.

My son worked a Staples and was able to test almost all of the machines.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[SilverSpike]

[8D] Thanks for the tip on ink selection, Bob!
I have an Epson Color printer so that part is taken care of, but who supplies the dura bright inks?

Ryan

[cmrproducts]

Purchase an Epson printers that use the dura bright inks as this ink is OIL based. Solves the water problem.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[Jetrock]

The problem with using inkjet ink is that it isn't very dark and it is water-soluble, so sealing the surface with Decal Set is important.

Laser printers or photocopiers produce an output that is not water-soluble, but I found that they tend to flake if not sealed with Decal Set.

[SilverSpike]

Hey Karlb,

[:D][wow] Yea, not to shabby at all for a first attempt!

I like your web site too!

Thanks for sharing,

Ryan

[Anonymous]

I havn't tried the micro mark stuff, but I have used the Testors decal paper and sealer with mixed results. The initial decal comes out ok, but is best used on a really flat, smooth surface, as it doesnt seem to snuggle down over details too well, and too much Solvaset will craze the decal film.

Here is a car I did with our club logo on it, not too shabby for a 1st attempt!

[SilverSpike]

I have seen a few posts on this topic, but was wondering if anyone has used the decal paper for ink jet printers that Micro-Mark sells. I understand the issue with printing white lettering, but I don't think I'll be putting down a couple of hundred $$'s for an Alps printer.

[:)] Ryan