decal dilemma

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 23 Jun 2006, 16:52

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone on here has ever attempted to make their own model kit decals before, and if so, if they have any advice they'd like to share.

I've just found out that printing yellows and other light colours on clear waterslide paper fails miserably when applied to dark surfaces, any would like to know if anyone knows of a solution for this. With some larger shapes such as roundels and fin flashes, I have used a white paper under-decal as it were to give a base for the clear paper colour decal, but this is going to be impossible for smaller items such as stencil text and ejection warning signs.

Frustrating. It looks like the 'official' decals from the box use white ink over clear paper which short of buying an ALPS printer, I cannot manage. But how do they get their light colour decals to remain vibrant when applied to dark surfaces?

If anyone knows of a way, please help! :think:

Steve

Avant-Garde-Aclue · Post by **Avant-Garde-Aclue** » 23 Jun 2006, 17:02

I made some bespoke decals once for an old model that the decals had deteriorated on through years in the loft. I bought a sheet of clear waterslide decal sheet from The Aviation Hobby Shop and some graphic artists air brush low tack clear masking sheet and then used a white humbrol paint as an undercoat then sprayed they required colour over that. It gave rather good opacity over dark surfaces. But these were pin stripe type things.

Regards

Sean

fournier · Post by **fournier** » 23 Jun 2006, 17:36

This is where I get my decal paper. You might find what you need here.

http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/cl ... decals.htm

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 23 Jun 2006, 22:23

Still in the same dilemma really, as I am using the same style paper Fournier recommended. I am looking into some other options though and will keep you updated in case anyone else feels like having a crack at it.

Cheers boys.

Steve