Decal printing

[ewetwo]

I've read on here that some of the members are able to print decals. Can you print them if someone sends you a photo or scan in an email? Just curious.

[Lizard Racing]

Some of the other experts on this forum can give better advice, but anything you can print on regular paper can be printed on decal paper. Use the decal spray, let dry, then apply.

You do need a good printer.

[ewetwo]

I was wondering because I have some old decals that I might not want to get rid of. But I would send a scan of them to someone who wanted them if they would be able to print the decals out for themselves. 

[BigTallDad]

Decal printing is fairly straight-forward: There are basically two backgrounds for decal paper...white or clear. I keep both types on hand.

Since very few printers have a white ink cartridge, decals with white contents will need to be printed on white decal paper. A sneaky way around this is print the image on clear, and put a blank layer of white where you want the white letters/numbers/etc. to appear on the model, then apply the clear decal.

You can also scan the paint color you're using on the model (sprayed on white plastic and scanned), surround the image (using Photoshop/MS paint/Gimp/etc.) with that color, then print the image on white decal paper. I've had limited success with this approach.

You might have to set your printer to a "Glossy Photo Paper" setting. To determine if this is necessary, create a small image, set the printer orientation to Portrait, orient the printing to occur at the top left of the page, then print the image. If the "Glossy Photo Paper" setting isn't correct, change it; orient the printing to occur at the top center of the page, then print the image again, making sure to orient the feed on the printer tray to re-print the decal paper. You only need to do this once, and by printing a small image in portrait format, you can cut that part off and re-use almost that whole sheet.

After printing, I let the ink dry for a day, then I lightly spray it with Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic coating (gloss) and repeat with another coat after the first coat dries. Let that dry for a day also. I've tried hotter clears, such as Tamiya TS-13, but the ink bled because of the clear.

Hope this helps

 

[SfanGoch]

You can also try this decal paper. It dries white.

[ewetwo]

What I was wondering was this. Say you wanted decals for a build you are doing but didn't have them. If I had them but wanted to keep them. If I scanned a copy of the decals and sent the scan as an attachment to you in an email. Would you be able to print s copy of the decals from the email attachment for yourself to use on your build. 

[Reegs]

Joe - have you tried that paper?

Also: does it matter what type of printer? Years ago I tried printing decals on an inkjet and they came out somewhat transparent (I don't recall what setting they printed at). Will decals printed on a modern inkjet be opaque, or is it better to use a laser printer (not that I know how those come out)?

Thanks.

[Jantrix]

All printed on an medium grade ink jet printer on white ink jet printer decal paper from Bare Metal Foil.

Edited May 25, 2018 by Jantrix

[SfanGoch]

7 hours ago, Reegs said:

Joe - have you tried that paper?

Also: does it matter what type of printer? Years ago I tried printing decals on an inkjet and they came out somewhat transparent (I don't recall what setting they printed at). Will decals printed on a modern inkjet be opaque, or is it better to use a laser printer (not that I know how those come out)?

Thanks.

I haven't tried it myself, Jim. I've seen what model train hobbyists have done using this system and it looks like a great product.

Another product is Papilio. They make waterslide decal paper for inkjet and laser copiers. Check out the Cobra in the link. All of the decals were printed with the waterslide decal paper. They also make dry transfer decal film, which is really great stuff. My friend, Gino Quintiliani used them to make stencils for his "Jeep in a crate for $50...WIP" project.

[ewetwo]

So I gather that if a scan some decals you might want and send them to you as an attachment in an email. You can not print them out on your printer on decal paper right?