License Plate Making?

[SCRWDRVR]

I realize Acme is probably the easiest way to make plates but what I'm looking for is the ways people go about printing and applying them on the cars. I saw someone mention just printing it but then how would you apply it? Glue it? Mod Podge? What do you all do?

[gman]

If you have photo etched license plate frames, you can print your plates on plain paper to see if they fit within the frame to scale them properly, then print on photo paper for your final plate. 

Affix the license plate frame to the printed plate with a small amount of white glue, and then affix the plate and frame to your model the same way. If you have gel superglue, you can also use that to glue to the plate to your model.

[dodgefever]

I saved a bunch of plate images from Ebay and elsewhere, so I have a selection of numbers and letters to copy and paste.  I use GIMP to edit the image, resize it to 1/2" wide and print (monochrome) at 600dpi on plain paper.   I'm generally doing '50s and '60s California plates, so I paint the back  of the printed image with yellow enamel and let it soak through.    Then I stick the thing to the model with PVA.

 

Edited July 12, 2019 by dodgefever

[Tom Geiger]

I use mostly those Acme license plates, unless I cannot find what I need.  Then my next stop is eBay, where there are a lot of good images /scans of actual plates.

I do most of my photo editing in Irfanview, which is a free program.  It also has the Paint commands in it if you are used to those.  

Then I will pop the jpgs into word and arrange my sheets.   Then I print on 110 lb bond card stock, flat finish. You can buy a pack of the Georgia Pacific paper I use in Walmart,  I use it for my stamp album pages.

I use white glue to affix,  more than likely the Micro Kristal Klear because it's already sitting on the work bench.

Edited July 12, 2019 by Tom Geiger
added photo

[Bainford]

I've used the ACME plates a few times. I print some test plates, resizing in word until they print out at the right scale size. When I get the size right I print out a few, cut them out and glue them to a piece of flattened beer can aluminium with Future. Once dry, I cut the aluminium plate close to the plate image, then coat the whole thing with more Future. Sometimes, if the Futured paper image has a texture, I will sand it smooth with fine sandpaper, apply another coat of Future, then glue the plate to the model, usually with CA.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Bainford

[martinfan5]

I print my plates on photo printer paper and then use double sided tape , easy as hitting the Easy Button.

[SCRWDRVR]

Nice, I like the options, I want to make some personalized plates and seems this will be a pretty easy job. Just have to get my printer up and running lol....

[crazyjim]

After cutting out the plate, I go around the edge with a black marker and then I use double sided tape to attach to vehicle. 

[Force]

One thing about Acme is that if you do more than 6 letters or numbers or have more than one space the plate gets too wide.

[Russell C]

Ditto on the online plate makers, and ordinary double sided tape to stick it to the model (for my wacko VW below, it was taped onto a plate-size Evergreen .010" sheet that I could glue to the bumper). I print mine using a regular Canon inkjet on glossy photo paper, but I do have the advantage of being able to cheat and use my graphic arts training to size it precisely in my old Corel drawing program, to the exact size I need.

[89AKurt]

For current plates, I go into the Arizona MVD website, chose which one (there are about 30 designs now), you can search to see if what you want is taken, then I take a screenshot.  I take it to the copy shop, who uses PhotoShop to reduce to size, then print onto thicker quality paper using their professional printer.  I spray clear after cutting out.  Then I glue on with Water Effects, not Elmers or superglue.  One project, I had them scan a real plate, then reduce.  I don't dink around.

[Foxer]

I use most all the above methods but I have to make my original plates for cars I've owned. Acme does work if I don't have a photo I can print. The plate below was printed on decal paper and applied to metal from a soda can for thinness. I cut it out crudely trying to simulate a battered plate.

 

[SCRWDRVR]

Wow! Awesome tips and awesome work guys. I’m hoping to get my printer up and going today to give it a try.... I’ve got a few other projects on the list today so I’m hoping to get to it.....