Making my own decals?

[Anonymous]

I want to painy my GP38-2 like this
http://206612.tripod.com/id17.html I'm quite sure no one offers INRy decals. I've heard Microscale has plain decal paper (I will post a link when I find it) that you can print water-slide decals using an inkjet printer. Do you need a special computer program? If so, where do I get it? Or, if there are Iowa Northern decals, please post a link.


dingoix

[GAPPLEG]

Microscale paper is only for laser printers, Micro-mark has decal paper, walthers too. http://www.beldecal.com/inkjet_decals.cfm also has paper for ink jets. I do my own decals alot. You can use ms paint but it's not real versatile. I use paintshop pro $75.00 Ther are many other programs available to make art work. Corel, adobe photoshop. If your using an inkjet printer just make sure you get ink jet paper. See my photobucket for photos of trucks I've done, also my own private roadname rr. I make lots of decals. It's just another part of the hobby I enjoy.

[Anonymous]

I use the Testors stuff, they make both clear- and white-background decal paper - specifically designed for ink jet printers. Here is a link to a thread I posted last year on how I made custom decals for my Iron Belt SD38-2 locos:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33859

[GAPPLEG]

Good tutorial Ken, I wish I had time to put together that kind of info for people.[8D]
I've never tried Testors paper, The one's I've been buying are all full size sheets. 81/2 x 11. Trying out micro-marks paper tonight. I have been try all the brands I can find looking for the thinnest brand.

[edo1039]

Here is another source,the decal film is very thin.
http://texascraft.com/hps/home.php?cat=263

[Anonymous]

I've used the Testors stuff before, it works OK, but its a little on the thick side for me. I usually have to hide the edges with some well placed weathering.

[letsgored]

With these home made decals, can you use Micro Set and/or Micro Sol or do they damage/destroy the decal?

[Anonymous]

I want thicker paper because I even damaged soem microscale decals while trying to apply them. I want the strongest decals. I'm reading "homegrown decals" right now.

[GAPPLEG]

QUOTE: Originally posted by letsgored

With these home made decals, can you use Micro Set and/or Micro Sol or do they damage/destroy the decal?

I use both to set my decals, never had a problem.

[modelmaker51]

The decals are available from microscale in both the yellow and maroon versions: http://www.microscale.com/catalog_search.mv. Seach for "Canadian American Railroad" - I couldn't get the direct link to work.

Edit: If you seach for the N version there is an image of the decal set in yellow. The HO version is identical.

[Anonymous]

your right CAR is the same as IN. But what do i do for the sides where it says "Iowa Northern"?

[modelmaker51]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

your right CAR is the same as IN. But what do i do for the sides where it says "Iowa Northern"?

MS has alphabet sets in many different lettering styles, I'm sure one would match.
If you're only doing an engine or 2 or 3, it wouldn't be that difficult to do it letter by letter, tedious, but not difficult.

Champ Decals also has an alphbet assortment: http://www.minot.com/~champ/alphabet.htm

[Anonymous]

That would be too tedius.

[letsgored]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GAPPLEG

...Trying out micro-marks paper tonight. I have been try all the brands I can find looking for the thinnest brand.

GAPPLEG, did you like the Micro Mark paper? Did use Mirco Set or Micro Sol on it? Which brands do you like and dislike? Thanks.

[GAPPLEG]

Well I mis-spoke the other day, I grabbed the worng decal paper and used the Walthers, it's not bad, the one from Beldecal is way too thick for me. I use Micro Set and Micro sol on both brands and have had no problem. Still have edges with those two brands, a coat of dull coat or gloss coat usually hides the edges enough to make it reasonable. Will get around to the Micro-mark paper soon I hope. Just make sure you seal the decals with some kind of coating ( I use Krylon clear) to prevent the ink from running off when dipped in water.

[GAPPLEG]

Used the Micro-Mark paper this evening, very nice, film is strong and seems thinner than the others. Will still try the paper mentioned above by Texcraft. will advise further as I try the other paper.

[Anonymous]

ORO Decals make two different sets of decals for the Iowa Northern Ry. They are for the original yellow scheme and for the second scheme. They do not offer the latest paint scheme but maybe part of the decals could be used. The website is www.orodecals.com. The decals are under the letter "I" in the index. I hope that this helps you.[;)]

[Anonymous]

does WAL-MART sale anything that has been mentioned in this thread?

[Bill H.]

This is more of a graphics application question:

How does one duplicate / shrink / enlarge the computer generated lettering and logos to result in using the entire sheet of decal paper at the original printing?

Different sizes of the same lettering / logo is desirable. Different colors?

Using an 8x11 sheet for just 1 set seems wasteful...

[GAPPLEG]

Bill,
I use an application call Paint Shop Pro, it allows you to shrink stretch, etc till you get what you want. You can create anything you desire with it. When I print my decals I place them an the top edge of the layout before printing. PSP lets you place them that way. When I'm done printing I lay paper over the bottom of the sheet and spray just the decals I printed with Krylon. I then cut off the top part with my decals on it, and use the rest of the sheet to print more later, printer doesn't care if the paper is shorter, Your printing on the top.[^][:D]

[Bill H.]

GAPP:

Printing at the top? Duh... Now why didn't I think of that?

You're abslutely right. Thanks for pointing out what I "should" have seen.

[banghead]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by littlefidler

ORO Decals make two different sets of decals for the Iowa Northern Ry. They are for the original yellow scheme and for the second scheme. They do not offer the latest paint scheme but maybe part of the decals could be used. The website is www.orodecals.com. The decals are under the letter "I" in the index. I hope that this helps you.[;)]

I could make an "iowa interstate" too. I might be able to use the IN GP20 Decals.

[Anonymous]

I could paint my 38-2 for the CRANDIC too.