Custom Decals
- Thread starter Greg@mnrr
- Start date
montanan
Whiskey Merchant
Rail Graphics for one makes custom Decals. http://railgraphicsdecals.com/
Highball Graphics is another. http://www.mgdecals.com/homepage.htm
http://www.scalerailgraphics.com/
Hope this helps
Highball Graphics is another. http://www.mgdecals.com/homepage.htm
http://www.scalerailgraphics.com/
Hope this helps
Promotionaltrucks
New Member
If you want short run custom decals try Bedlamcreations.com Josh makes the best custom waterslide decals around. I used his decals for years on replicas from z-g scales. Tell him Brad from Promotional Trucks referred you. Brad
CMMR
Member
Greg - I have had pretty good success making my own custom decals using GIMP free open source photo editing software and Testors decal paper.
I print them on our regular old HP inkjet printer, let them dry, then seal them with Krylon acrylic satin clear. Just don't apply too much clear, as the decals will not conform to small details as well.
The paper comes in clear or white. If your artwork has any white in it at all you will have to use the white paper, as the inkjet obviously doesn't print white.
Here are a couple of shots of the decals as printed and applied on a locomotive. I put the graffiti on a couple of freight cars.
I print them on our regular old HP inkjet printer, let them dry, then seal them with Krylon acrylic satin clear. Just don't apply too much clear, as the decals will not conform to small details as well.
The paper comes in clear or white. If your artwork has any white in it at all you will have to use the white paper, as the inkjet obviously doesn't print white.
Here are a couple of shots of the decals as printed and applied on a locomotive. I put the graffiti on a couple of freight cars.
goscrewyourselves
I'm the one
Like that his are water slide decals - that is a big plus for me.
Greg - I have had pretty good success making my own custom decals using GIMP free open source photo editing software and Testors decal paper.
I print them on our regular old HP inkjet printer, let them dry, then seal them with Krylon acrylic satin clear. Just don't apply too much clear, as the decals will not conform to small details as well.
The paper comes in clear or white. If your artwork has any white in it at all you will have to use the white paper, as the inkjet obviously doesn't print white.
Here are a couple of shots of the decals as printed and applied on a locomotive. I put the graffiti on a couple of freight cars.
They came out looking great CMMR! How hard was it to do and how available is the Transfer Parer to do it? Also, can this Transfer Paper be used in any printer out of the box?
CMMR
Member
Tony - you can get Testors decal paper at just about any hobby shop.
You can print on it using any inkjet printer. The paper comes with instructions, but basically you print to it just like you would print any normal document.
The only drawback is that it only comes in 5.5" X 8.5" sheets. I usually do a test print on a regular piece of paper, then tape the decal paper over top of the test image and run it through that way.
Here is a link...
http://www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/testors/tools/decals/
You can print on it using any inkjet printer. The paper comes with instructions, but basically you print to it just like you would print any normal document.
The only drawback is that it only comes in 5.5" X 8.5" sheets. I usually do a test print on a regular piece of paper, then tape the decal paper over top of the test image and run it through that way.
Here is a link...
http://www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/testors/tools/decals/
goscrewyourselves
I'm the one
Gary,
Thanks for that and could be a good option for me. Appreciate it.
Thanks for that and could be a good option for me. Appreciate it.
Promotionaltrucks
New Member
Reason I went with Bedlamcreations is that you do NOT have to apply clear coat before using. Trim decal from sheet, dip in lukewarm water, place on plastic box for 30 seconds, pick up, slide in place on item to be decayed, use edge of q-tip to absorb excess water. Let dry a bit, drop of solvaset and leave it alone till completely dry. Then dull or gloss coat to your hearts content. Ask Josh for some of his replica vehicle pictures. I have some if you would like to see how they look on trains or vehicles. Brad
goscrewyourselves
I'm the one
Brad,
If you some pictures that would be great to see.
Just been looking at the Testors Systems and there doesn't seem to be too many "GOOD" words about it. Most of the descriptions for that product include deceptive, or similar, and are entitled as "Bait and Switch". That kinda sounds all too familiar to me.
Buy a System to get "sucked in" then have to spend more to make the advertised system work. That isn't for me what so ever.
If you some pictures that would be great to see.
Just been looking at the Testors Systems and there doesn't seem to be too many "GOOD" words about it. Most of the descriptions for that product include deceptive, or similar, and are entitled as "Bait and Switch". That kinda sounds all too familiar to me.
Buy a System to get "sucked in" then have to spend more to make the advertised system work. That isn't for me what so ever.
CMMR
Member
Tony - I can only speak to my own experience with the Testors paper, but I have never had a problem with it.
I only use their paper, I don't bother with all the other stuff they have listed on their website.
I think the people that have bad results don't take the time to follow directions and let the ink and clear coats dry properly.
Just my two cents worth.....
I only use their paper, I don't bother with all the other stuff they have listed on their website.
I think the people that have bad results don't take the time to follow directions and let the ink and clear coats dry properly.
Just my two cents worth.....
goscrewyourselves
I'm the one
CMMR,
I was looking at their Decal Systems kits - it is they they seem to have caused a lot of complaint etc from people.
I am not, or wasn't intending to, take issue with their decal paper - how could I, I have never used it
I am very happy to try it and see how I go using it, especially if I can get results that are like or similar to the end results that you have achieved. The operative part of that is "...how I go using it..."
I was looking at their Decal Systems kits - it is they they seem to have caused a lot of complaint etc from people.
I am not, or wasn't intending to, take issue with their decal paper - how could I, I have never used it
I am very happy to try it and see how I go using it, especially if I can get results that are like or similar to the end results that you have achieved. The operative part of that is "...how I go using it..."
Promotionaltrucks
New Member
Custom waterslide decals
Here are some pictures of decals from bedlam creations. Please note the esso tanker decals were installed in 2004 and just starting to peel a bit. All the vehicle pictures were of rejected vehicles i would not send to clients due to small imperfections in installation, finger smudges, crimps, etc.. I pulled out of production line so client would not get inferior products. Decals were not the issue.
Some of these jobs i have on display are almost 15 years old. Trucks are all ho scale. Trains are my personal n-scale. Have some more pictures for next email. Brad
Here are some pictures of decals from bedlam creations. Please note the esso tanker decals were installed in 2004 and just starting to peel a bit. All the vehicle pictures were of rejected vehicles i would not send to clients due to small imperfections in installation, finger smudges, crimps, etc.. I pulled out of production line so client would not get inferior products. Decals were not the issue.
Some of these jobs i have on display are almost 15 years old. Trucks are all ho scale. Trains are my personal n-scale. Have some more pictures for next email. Brad
Attachments
Promotionaltrucks
New Member
Promotionaltrucks
New Member
goscrewyourselves
I'm the one
They certainly are good Brad. Thanks for posting them.
ctulanko
Member
Tony,
I have used both Micro Mark and Testors paper in the past with no issues. I do seal my decals with a decal sealer to prevent tearing. Its goes on with a brush and while it is thick, it evaporates very fast and does a good job of sealing. I was like you at first, where I wasn't sure I wanted to give it a go, but it's allowed me to print some very good decals. Here are a few links of Micro model rockets I built. I would not hesitate to do custom ones for MRR. Give it a go and if you don't like it, then you are out only a few bucks for a sheet of decal paper. I do recommend using 600dpi in your graphics program...I use PaintShop Pro, have been for years and did the ones below with it. Pics are not that great, but you can read every letter with a magnifying glass.
Pic1 Pic2 Pic3 Pic4
I have used both Micro Mark and Testors paper in the past with no issues. I do seal my decals with a decal sealer to prevent tearing. Its goes on with a brush and while it is thick, it evaporates very fast and does a good job of sealing. I was like you at first, where I wasn't sure I wanted to give it a go, but it's allowed me to print some very good decals. Here are a few links of Micro model rockets I built. I would not hesitate to do custom ones for MRR. Give it a go and if you don't like it, then you are out only a few bucks for a sheet of decal paper. I do recommend using 600dpi in your graphics program...I use PaintShop Pro, have been for years and did the ones below with it. Pics are not that great, but you can read every letter with a magnifying glass.
Pic1 Pic2 Pic3 Pic4
MikeOwnby
Active Member
I've only used Testors paper, but it's worked well for me. The biggest trick to it is getting the sealer spray right. The MV logos and the website/twitter stuff on these locos was printed with Testors and you can see they went on as well as all the stripes and numbers from microscale.
rlundy90
Armchair Engineer
Tony, I use their decal paper as well. I have never had a problem. Just print anything like you were printing on regular paper. Let the ink dry for a few minutes and spray with clear coating, to seal the ink. Only reason you have to seal it is because the ink will dissolve in the water , if you don't seal it. I use the paper all the time to print out signs for my structures. Works great for getting into all the nooks and crannies, to make the decal look like it is painted on. Hard to do that , printing on paper. Ron
