Custom Decals

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lakeroadster

When in doubt... build hell-for-stout!
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What are you folks using to make custom decals? I searched and didn't find any threads that were recent.

Thanks.
 
I have used PowerPoint for really simple stuff. You have to be able to calibrate a 1-inch square on the screen with a 1-inch square when printed. For more detailed work I like the free Inkscape for vector graphics. If you have to do some image manipulation, re-coloring, etc, you can try GIMP or GIMPshop.

I print at home on my ink-jet printer with the Testor's decal paper. After printing I spray it with glossy clear Rustoleum 2X, but they also have a Testor's Decal Bonder spray available.

I can't print white or metallics. They do have a White background paper and a Clear background paper. You might have to experiment with each if you are decaling over a dark painted rocket rather than a white or light color painted rocket. The ink coverage might not be dark enough on the clear paper to cover up the dark color underneath. A yellow decal on Clear paper over a blue rocket will appear green, unless you print it on the white paper and trim closely to the yellow, for example. Some example rockets with ink-jet paper decals:

IMG_0506.jpg

This was a yellow text on clear decal paper on a blue painted rocket.
DSC_6729.jpg

White over Olive Green will be a challenge for at home. You might be able to use the White paper and try to print color match to the Olive drab with white lettering in an olive drab box on the decal. It still might let some of the painted rocket show through underneath.

Hard to tell from your pictures what your color scheme is, here are some options.

View attachment US_ARMY_OLIVE_DRAB.pdf
 
Yeah, I used the same plans from the Centuri Design Contest. Mine is made from paper towel rolls and tubes rolled from cardstock paper.

screen grab of the PDF above:

Screen Shot 2018-04-19 at 5.46.00 PM.png
 
My formula for waterslide is https://papilio.com media printed with a good dye based photo printer (I use an older Canon Pro9000 MkII), with Papilio UV clear as the topcoat. For white zones you sometimes have to cleverly combine printing on white decal paper with cut white vinyl. Color matching is trial and error unless you have a color calibrator since printer color profiles are made for white paper, not clear decal media. Opacity can also be an issue as Glen showed above. If you really need opacity in the lighter colors, you pretty much have to use vinyl or do some throwback homebrew silkscreen work.

You can make very decent cut vinyl decals with a Silhouette Cameo from Michael's (12" wide x pretty long) or a wider 15" or 24" unit from https://uscutter.com . Vinyl media (use Oracal 651 outdoor type) and transfer tape (start with medium tack) can also be had from USCutter.

https://stickershock23.com can do all kinds of wonderful things with vinyl including printing on it and making full rocket wraps, both of which are beyond the capability of hobbyist cutters.
 
My formula for waterslide is https://papilio.com media printed with a good dye based photo printer (I use an older Canon Pro9000 MkII), with Papilio UV clear as the topcoat. For white zones you sometimes have to cleverly combine printing on white decal paper with cut white vinyl. Color matching is trial and error unless you have a color calibrator since printer color profiles are made for white paper, not clear decal media. Opacity can also be an issue as Glen showed above. If you really need opacity in the lighter colors, you pretty much have to use vinyl or do some throwback homebrew silkscreen work.

You can make very decent cut vinyl decals with a Silhouette Cameo from Michael's (12" wide x pretty long) or a wider 15" or 24" unit from https://uscutter.com . Vinyl media (use Oracal 651 outdoor type) and transfer tape (start with medium tack) can also be had from USCutter.

https://stickershock23.com can do all kinds of wonderful things with vinyl including printing on it and making full rocket wraps, both of which are beyond the capability of hobbyist cutters.

+1, I use the papilio paper as well, with a HP Photosmart C6250 (older printer) that has been set up with a continuous ink system (big tanks), for a clear I use Krylon Crystal Clear usually one medium coat and then one heavy wet coat (decals laid flat on board so no runs) light coats will give a thinner decal that may be hard to handle as they want to roll or crease easily, thicker decals are stiffer and easier to handle but may leave to much lip around the edges. Opacity is an issue especially on OD Green or darker colors, the rocket below has yellow lettering on OD Green basecoat, they are hard to see. For homemade vinyl I use the wifes Cricut Explore Air 2 (not buying another vinyl cutter just for me, since I am in the process of parting together a CNC Router).

Inkscape is my vector graphics program of choice until I can acquire Illustrator or something similar.

T300 Nike Smoke34.jpg
 
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I use Adobe Illustrator for the design work and then print on Bell Decal paper using my inkjet. A few light coats of Krylon Crystal Clear UV Resistant clear coat and they are ready for dipping into water.....

IMG_20170731_150200596.jpg
 
I use Adobe Illustrator for the design work and then print on Bell Decal paper using my inkjet. A few light coats of Krylon Crystal Clear UV Resistant clear coat and they are ready for dipping into water.....
Incredible!
 
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