Custom decal manufacture or inkjet decal paper?

Der Kommandeur · Post by **Der Kommandeur** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:15 pm

Hi All

Having just read the (moderated) thread about micronaut decals, I was wondering if anyone here had actually used inkjet decal paper successfully, in particular on 1/285th aircraft models?

Frustrated by the lack of aircraft codes (or even letter decals along the lines of the turret number sets offered by GHQ and other manufacturers), and in my quest for reasonable authenticity, I've been working (on and off) on some custom decal artwork for my DAF and Luftwaffe aircraft models.

I've done fuselage codes so far - the idea being that each model represents a flight (3-4 a/c) - but I'm considering adding serial numbers and squadron emblems/motifs, that kind of thing, too:

The markings shown (a composite) are for (top to bottom) BF109s, JU87s, JU52s, Hurricane and Spitfires, but I'm working on Fi156 and HS129 markings too

I was considering having these made by a short-run decal manufacturer ... but since I have a very high quality inkjet printer (one of the tools of my trade) I turned my mind to considering utilising it.

The advantage of using short-run decal manufacturer is qualitative: the decals will be printed in solid colours, so edge definition will be much better and white lettering etc presents no problems. Cost is of course a matter for consideration.

The disadvantage of the inkjet approach is that the colours will be composed of fine dots of process colours (eg red will be a mix of magenta and yellow) ... and just now I have no idea how the white lettering would be reproduced (unless I print them with a fine black outline and paint over - which kind of defeats the overall plan). This will affect edge definition. The main advantage is cost, I suppose.

I'm tempted to have a go at the decal paper route, since it won't cost much and might just be successful. I've read that the inkjet inks need to be fixed with an acrylic spray, but I'm assuming these products work with MicroSol and MicroSet ...

I'd be interested in any thoughts and experience anyone here might have. GHQ, if you read this, I'd be dead interested to know what you think, since, as a manufacturer, you'll know something about this too.

Of course it's possible you'll all just think I'm mad!

Cheers

DK

8ball · Post by **8ball** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:22 pm

Hey DK-

I've tried that decal stock that you are referring too. I didn't have much luck. No matter how much Krylon I sprayed on it, the ink still ran when I got the decal wet. Perhaps more blank space around the actual art would help.

I don't think color fidelity would be a problem. If you run at your printer's highest resolution (600dpi), you won't see any dots without a magnifier. The problem is the white. Those areas of your decal will come out clear. You would have to put a base coat of white underneath the decal.

Have you checked with Dom's Decals?

8

Der Kommandeur · Post by **Der Kommandeur** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:21 pm

Hi 8

So I figure the inkjet decal paper isn't the way to get a quality result ...

Dom isn't taking commissions at the moment ... and he's not even restocking his amazing Battle of Britain sets (for HE111, JU88 and Do17) due to the current exchange rate.

DK

dragon6 · Post by **dragon6** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:54 pm

Kommandeur they make white decal paper. You overprint in the colours you want, but you will have to print the fuselage colours around the numbers.

Perhaps that didn't make sense.

Since the background paper is white you print everything that isn't white.

There is also laser decal paper, or so I've been told. Not seen it myself but ... quick g0ogle and this pops up http://www.decalpaper.com/category-s/3.htm

That might solve the water inkjet problem.

Some inkjet printer ink is better than others of course. In my limited experience epson ink is quite resistant to smearing even without a coating. Of course I didn't dunk it in water so that might not hold up.

pandreo1 · Post by **pandreo1** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:25 am

Great looking art work.
I have thought about making decals for a long time, but the question of white has always stymed me, but this discussion has got me to think more about the problem.
Could you not put the artwork on a background that matches the aircraft's color scheme and print on white decal paper. Then you would cut out a square/rectangle, and then place the decal on the model.
(From the time I started to reply and by the time Dragoon replied we both had the same idea. Dragoon -- minds think the same)
Paul

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:22 am

I've used decal paper with pretty good success on 1/2400 scale ships and airplanes. Somewhere in the show us your stuff thread I think there are pictures of my USCG cutters with my own decals. Obviously with the white hulls I got around the need for white on the decals but in other testing I would recommend you print on white decal paper, the colors look crisper that way. As mentioned above for white letters on white decal paper print the letter outlines in the fuselage color and then trim as close as you can to the white.

I use an HP inkjet printer and run of the mill acrylic spray and have never had a problem with running colors. Micro-Set and Micro-Sol have worked without problems as well.

Good luck!

Paul

dragon6 · Post by **dragon6** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:23 pm

That's good to know Paul. I keep meaning to do this but never seem to get around to it

8ball · Post by **8ball** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:01 am

Hey Paul-

You don't spray with Krylon? What kind of acrylic spray? Some kind of clear finish or somethin'?

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:52 pm

Tom,

Krylon is just a name brand for one of many types of cover sprays. I don't have a favorite, I just use whatever I pick up at the craft store or at Home Depot. If it is a really critical decal I won't take any chances and I'll use decal film you brush on made by the same folks that make Micro-Sol. It might be called "Decal Film" but I can't remember for sure.

Paul

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:54 pm

DK - where do you get your decal paper from in the UK?

Have you tried the laser decal paper at all? We've got a pretty good laser printer here at work and I was wondering how good the paper would be on a laserjet.

Der Kommandeur · Post by **Der Kommandeur** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:15 pm

BattlerBritain wrote:DK - where do you get your decal paper from in the UK?

Have you tried the laser decal paper at all? We've got a pretty good laser printer here at work and I was wondering how good the paper would be on a laserjet.

I haven't got as far as considering a supplier yet, and haven't tried laser paper - I don't have a colour laser printer you see.