Customized Decals, Where to get them?

Dear sis and bro,

May I know where you get those printer to print the customized decals?
You see my situation is like this: I am building egg plane kits for my wife, kids and myself, I plan to have my and their names on the decals for the completed models, I believe they will be very excited to have that.

I also have some decals paper from multifilia, I don't how to use them, must use laser printer of normal ink printer will do (if multifilia read this, please assist)?

Thanks and regards.

Broder P,

I have been searching answers to this riddle hehe, its not easy bro. In order to get the perfect end results, I would recommend like what everybody else would which is to find the "ALPS" brand printer. They are the only printer that would paint white colour which is needed below any design graphics. If you dont print white underneath any designs, the colour would turn out funny. There is a catch though "these printers have stopped production for a long long time ago and only second hand can be found" try looking up ebay.

The things which you would need in order to customize decals are:

1. Decal paper (water slide type)
2. Printer (ALPS which is the best)
3. Decal coating (a thin coat of liquid which i forgot the name) (without this, the decal will just dissapear when soaked inside water.

Hope this helps.

Dude

First you would have to determine the type of decal paper you have,

Clear or White
Laser or Inkjet

Using a Inkjet paper with a laser printer is no good and wise versa.

Clear decal paper will usually come translucent if you apply on any thing other then white backgroud........and only black will be clear......white decal paper on the other had will not look traslucent but it will be difficult to trim the decal and will look a bit thinker........

I use clear decal paper print on laser and use a white backing painted on........works ok........you can see my latest use on this form the Mas Fokker..........

Decal printed must be sealed.........I use normal clear aerosol from anchor or so......and spary and let dry........usually around 1/2 hour (do not spray too close and right out of the printer.......the ink or pigment might run......give it 1 or 2 minutes........

The key to remember is the paper you use as well as the artwork you plan to use......

HTH

Good Luck with you project
Mr B

Hi Loh,

Not sure about multifilla's decal paper but in the market, there is paper specifically for laser or inkjet.

Based on my recent experience for my Viper GB project, it's been a dark art though you may have an easier time since it is just names you are printing.

I've got both laser and inkjet decal paper. For mine I've used white decal paper. With the laser, the graphic did not print properly. With the inkjet, the graphic printed out OK although there is dithering on it.

Laser printed:


Deskjet printed:


You will definately need a clear coat on it. The ink will float right off the decal if you don't. On mine, I've tried H2O overcoat by brushing and air-brushing. Brushing it on lifted the ink and it clogged up my airbrush when I used it neat. Have not tried but you may need to thin it with water before airbrushing.

I've read on the Net that you can use Krylon Krystal Clear or Future although Future is not flexible and will crack if the decal is not used after a few weeks. In my case, I'm waiting for a visiting friend who will be bringing me a bottle of Micro Liquid Decal Film.

As for printing, do note that print settings will affect the output as they affect the amount of ink used. You'll need to experiment (on A4 paper first) and find the proper print settings that works e.g. print quality, paper type etc.

Good luck!

If what u need to print does not consists color of white, silver or metallic then those 'white' decal paper can be use on a laserprinter. Remember to have it coated with a layer of clear later. i would not advise on inkjet printers as the colors will smear during the coating.

If the pics or pattern u need have those color i mention earlier then ALPS is the best.

You may want to check with oldman (nickname on this forum) of HOBBIES CORNER to have ur decal printed as such... of course there's a small fee la

Dear bros,
Thanks for the info.
Previously I have my company printer that they actually have the service to print the decals for model kits, their price quoated to me was RM8 per A4 size regardless what color or many graphic in an A4 size. But later they had stopped such service due to very low demand. Is Hobby Corner you mentioned providing the service as such?

Wonder if there is any easy way that we can just provide the printer a soft copy of graphic, color, size or text we want on the decals and the printer can print for us? Any contact?

Thanks again.

I posted a similar reply earlier, check this website:

www.decalpaper.com

The website sells wide range of decal sheets, both in white or clear and inkjet or laser.

I searched malaysian shops couple of months back and I came across one. However they say they discontinued that product, but sold me a few left over white laser decal sheets. I have also clear inkjet decal sheets bought from a online model shop, but I need to check my email correspondence to check what shop is that.

Normally you buy the sheets in 5 or 10 per pack. If you need just only 1, you can contact me.

Yes HolyP... Hobbies Corner is providing such service as they are printing and selling some own DECALS too

[QUOTE]

Loh,

Sorry for late reply as off line for some time. The decal paper you brought is to be printed on the glossy surface. The backside has numerical printed to differentiate. These decals are sold by hundreds to decal printers using laser jet printing.

H20 covercoat is best applied with a fan brush that coat thinly and evenly. An ordinary flat brush load too much and does not coat evenly. Industrial decal users have even air brushed H20 with 0.5 mm nozzle or spray gun and to avoid nozzle clog dip airbrush into water in between use to avoid clogging.

H20 covercoat does dry fast and flexible without cracks that tear during adjustment or when sliding.

You will note the H20 bottle label is typed on transparent sticker and fan brushed with H20. Otherwise the print will rub off.

If you do not have a laser printer, use waterproof ink like Durabrite ultra with Epson printers. This ink when dried will not smear
when fan brush over with H20 covercoat.

For white background, have anyone tried air brushing white on decal paper before laser printing? Technically it should work as upon soaking the white and all prints once protected with H20 covercoat will just lift or slide away from backing paper.
Please someone enlighten.

Hope information helps.

Tried on old decals too and it works ... and I totally agree

[QUOTE]


Hi Mr B,

You mentioned painting white over clear decal paper before laser printing. Did you use white acrylics? Would like to see your Mas Folker with this technique.

As I do not have laser printer will like to try with jet printer. Please enlighten.

Thanks
Leong

[QUOTE]

Break through and correction to above. Even with water proof ink H20 cover coat will smear. To avoid smear use laser printer. For those without laser printer you can still use waterproof ink and spray coat with acrylic clear coat. Wait one hour and then fan brush H20 cover coat over. Let dry for an hour and soak as usual and transfer.

We know acrylic coating and Future crack with handling when dried. H20 covercoat flexible varnish is to reinforce decal for better transfer.

Dear bros and sis,
My report card for my project:



A friend of mine offer to print the decals for me. But only black and dark color text color work, the yellow color decal can't stand out, too transparent, while white said can't be printed unless with background color. Anyway, consider this a trial. Now I got the professional contacts from you guys, will work on another project using customized decals.

Million thanks!

[QUOTE=multifilla,Oct 23 2009, 09:45 AM] [QUOTE=mr b,Oct 17 2009, 08:03 PM]

I use clear decal paper print on laser and use a white backing painted on........works ok........you can see my latest use on this form the Mas Fokker..........

Decal printed must be sealed.........I use normal clear aerosol from anchor or so......and spary and let dry........usually around 1/2 hour (do not spray too close and right out of the printer.......the ink or pigment might run......give it 1 or 2 minutes........





Mr B[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]


Hi Mr B,

You mentioned painting white over clear decal paper before laser printing. Did you use white acrylics? Would like to see your Mas Folker with this technique.

As I do not have laser printer will like to try with jet printer. Please enlighten.

Thanks
Leong [/QUOTE]
Mr M

I used normal gunze white the laquer range............

Pls find the link on this forum on my MAS Fokker

Thanks- Hope this helps...I was told that Ink jet does not print well on clear......never tried before...........if inkjet I use white decal paper........

Mr B
http://z12.invisionfree.com/ScaleModelsMal...?showtopic=6093

Dear Mr b.

Thanks for clarification. Epson stylus Cx5500 jet printer with Durabrite Ultra ink do print well on clear decal paper. You temporarily seal printing with aerosol acrylics eg anchor/Eagle etc and when dried, reinforce for flexibility by fan brushing H20 covercoat.

It work do see result in showroom.

Leong