I wonder about the business itself. He probably isn't going to hop on his Gulfstream jet and shuttle between his home West Palm and Aspen, but surely it was more than a hobby that barely paid for itself.
My order back in the 80's was quite reasonable. I looked at his prices last year and did not order, but I think the minimum order was well under $100.
How many people are freelancers? How many send in second and third orders? A lot of customers were probably like me, good for a single order.
I would think it would bring in some extra money for someone who wanted to work from home or was retired. Seems like it would be a viable business for someone who needed supplemental income.
Having no idea what the equipment costs or his book of business, it is just speculation on my part.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Here is my question, I used Rail Graphics for my custom decals, multiple orders over nearly two decades.
He had no problem producing high quality decals in all colors including gold and white.
The fine print was exceptional, as was other artwork, herolds, etc.
The decal film was thin, never any fading, etc.
So what equipment/printing method was he using that seems to escape even those at Kadee in their ability to offer custom decals?, especially in white? Without all the "limitations" Kadee lists on their web site?
Surely these "alps" printers are not the only way to print a white decal.
And as for cost, I never felt the prices at Rail Graphics were high, given that he would tune up your art work, always kept your artwork on file for future orders, etc. Or, maybe I just don't mind paying for quality.........
Sorry to see him go. I placed a big order right before he closed up.
Sheldon
If you are applying white letter decals to a black loco, it is pretty easy to make your own decals using white background decal paper. Using your favorite computer program, create a black rectangle large enough to fit all of your lettering. Next, select your desired font and the color white for your lettering. Type in your lettering over the black background rectangle and your ready to go! Since your printer doesn't print white, it won't print anything where your lettering is to appear. This allows the white background of the decal paper to show through your black background rectangle. Cut out your decals, apply, clear coat and you've got it!
The same can be done for white letter decals over rolling stock/structures of colors other than black. It just takes a bit more work to get your background rectangle color to match.
Hornblower
VOLKER LANDWEHR Precision Design Co. makes custom decals and can provide artwork service:http://pdc.ca/rr/custom_decals/ I have no personal experience. The owner Bill Brillinger is on another forum were a lot of members are pleased customers.Regards, Volker
Precision Design Co. makes custom decals and can provide artwork service:http://pdc.ca/rr/custom_decals/
I have no personal experience. The owner Bill Brillinger is on another forum were a lot of members are pleased customers.Regards, Volker
I've used him He was pretty easy to work with, although I was supplying print ready work that didn't need any revision (I've done professional graphic design work). His decals are a bit thinner and fragile than some commercial products. They are also not like commercial ones were there's only a marginal amount of film around the print so be prepared to trim close Also found his whites to be a little thin and not completely opaque
That said I was pleased with his work The clarity and sharpness were good His turnaround time was great. I'll definitely use him again
www.highballgraphics.com
Circus city decals does work better than microscale.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
j. c. i belive tichy is now offering custom decals.
i belive tichy is now offering custom decals.
Tichy has had a problem with the lettering in white being VERY thick. Until they figure out how to have decals without significant thickness, they're not on my list.
Kadee is doing decals:
https://kadee.com/htmbord/custom.htm
Microscale does them, also. They do have a rather huge minimum, though--figure on spending a couple of hundred dollars. I also think you're going to need your artwork ready to go, as in Adobe Illustrator files. Don't know that for sure, though.
Ed
I have only used Rail Graphics since the early 1980s.
.
If anyone knows who can produce similar products, please let us all know.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Rail Graphics closed.
This one still seems to active:
https://highballgraphics.com/
Seems to me I saw another firm with an ad in the latest MR.
This is a listing of decal sources, since they include Rail Graphics, we know it is not up to date, but it's a place to start:
http://www.greatdecals.com/Decals.html
I want to make decals for a black undecorated engine for a fictional brand. Anyone know where I can buy one? None of the ones I've seen in other discussions work anymore.
Thanks!