Making Decals

[john2308]

Hi Gang, I want to learn how to make my own decals so can anybody help with what program they use, I've got photo shop and a couple of others I use once in awhile or should I get the one Testers has, I already have the one that the hobby shop's sell but there is a full version from Testers also? Thanks and any help would be cool. John

[sixtiesdragracer]

John,
I suggest that you use a program that you know most how to use. Start off with something easy with not a lot of fancy graphics. Also remember unless you have an Alps Printer you will not be able to print white. You can however print on white decal paper. I use decal paper that is from the Bare Metal Foil company. I get less waste. If you are using a inkjet printer, make sure that you let the decal sheet dry for a few hours before you clear coat it. With a Laser the time is much less. Do not coat the decals with heavy coats. Just a few light coats with do. I use Testors Decal Bonder and Krylor Crystle Clear. I hope this helps.
Barry

[john2308]

Thanks for the info Barry. What program do you use to desigin your decal's ? I wish I did have an ALPS printer but they are $$$ more than I can swing for awhile. John

[1320wayne]

John, a lot of folks that I know swear by the Corel Draw program to design custom decals. If not that one then Adobe makes an art program as well. There are others but the one problem (that I see) is the overall price. I haven't used any of them personally so I can't give specific critiques.

However, what I stumbled across about a year ago was being able to create somewhat simple graphics within my own computer to make my own decal sheets. I simply save whatever image that I find interesting and insert the image into a Word document. By doing this I can resize the image to whatever size I desire and once I have a full sheet then I simply print the image onto decal film using my inexpensive inkjet printer. I have made quite a few useable sheets for different applications from sponsor logos to graphics. They are easy to do and you don't have to spend a fortune to come up with something interesting. I have included a couple of examples below along with pictures of how they come out applied to a model.
Barry is correct regarding being able to use white or clear decal film and it is best to wait for a while after printing before applying a clear coat.

[john2308]

Thanks Wayne for the info. I do computer work on the side ( retired from full time work ) and have a ton of programs so I'll see what one's I can draw the desigins up with and use your way of resizing it. I'll be using an inkjet printer also and let you know what I come up with. John

[dragnut51]

There really cool Wayne love the sponcer decal sheet. I have a queston what resiolotion do you have the printer at to print out the decals. Like what DPI setting do you have it at.

John Pol

[sixtiesdragracer]

John,
I agree with Wayne. I use Word or Publisher depending on what I design. I also found a program called Logo at Staples Office Supplies for $5 that I am still learning on. As I said before, do not start with anyting highly detailed. Do something simple to start and as you get better, so do your skills
I hope this helps.
Barry

[john2308]

Thanks again Barry, I already have LOGO and use it for buissness logo's for my customer's and I will give that a shot for decal's. The weather should be starting to get nice back in Ohio, I'm orig. from Canton so I remember what it's like. John

[1320wayne]

Aug 17, 2011 21:44:45 GMT -6 dragnut51 said:

There really cool Wayne love the sponcer decal sheet. I have a queston what resiolotion do you have the printer at to print out the decals. Like what DPI setting do you have it at.

John Pol

I'm ot sure what the DPI settings are. I do know that when I first started printing decals that the black was rather grainey and reds were not very bright. Then I went into my printer settings and set the resolution at it's highest quality setting and that changed everything. I don't have any technical numbers though.

[another rick]

To do a sheet of contingency decals I use this site www.racingdecals.com/ I cut and paste to my MS Word program, resize them to what I need and just make rows of whatever I want. You can also find other logos on company websites and cut and paste them also: HOWEVER, you do not want to make sheets for sale, because of licensing and copyright laws. Hope this helps.

[sixtiesdragracer]

Hi John,
I am glad that I was able to help. How long ago did you live in Ohio? Where are you living now?
Barry

[john2308]

Barry, I was born there, Columbus. Moved to Phoenix,AZ in 1985 and haven't been back since. John