how to make scale decals for my models ad dio's

[stepside83]

hi im new here and to makeing the scale cars look real, i was wondering if there was a way to make a 1:24 or 1:25 scale decale of a shop sign for like a sign for a dio, or a decal on the side of a shop truck any ideas or info on this topic i would be great full for thanks

[diymirage]

there are ways to do this indeed

the first thing you need to decide is if you want the sign to be an actual sign (like a billboard) or a decal for on the shop truck

i would start by looking for the right picture online and then modifying it (or if you have photosoup skills start from scratch)

then you resize the picture (ive been told this works best in microsoft word though im a little unsure on the details) untill it seems to be the right scale

once you think you are close you can print a test sign on regular paper

tweak it where needed (size colour and such) untill you are satisfied with the print out

remember we had to decide on sign or decal ?

if you chose sign i would use photopaper (your choice of gloss or matte) and print in on there

then you just cut it to size and put it where you want it to be.

if you want it to be a decal things are slightly different

here is the catch, 99% of affordable printers dont print white

to make up for this decal paper comes in 2 different colors, white and clear

the white will have white in the decal but it needs to be cut out very acurate otherwise there will be a halo effect

the clear will not show any white at all

the clear is eayer to apply because it doesnt have to be cut out perfectly (no one will see the edge) but it does have a tendancy to take over the heu of the underlying paint (provided it is a very dark paint)

once you have decided on clear or white decal paper there is one more very important thing to look at

do you have a laser or an inkjet printer ?

they make both kinds of decal paper for both types of printer BUT they can not be used in the wrong printer or the ink will not stay

after making all these decisions and printing the decal on the right paper for the right printer dont forget to spray some decal setting liquid over it (this will seal in the ink)

then all you beed to do (after it dries) is apply them like a regular decal and yer all set

[stepside83]

ok thanks diymirage, i think ill just do the pare idea i found a sign id like to use for the shop sign and a shop truck etc..... was wondering after i got it set how i wanted it and printed and then trimed of the excess paper, how would i glue/attach it to the door of a shop truck, or a billboard type sign on the side of my dio and any where else a sign or poster would be stuck up at thanks agin for your reply and info

[diymirage]

well, the decal paper is pretty straight forward

once the ink is set you cut out the decal and put it in lukewarm water for 30 or so seconds and apply it like any other decal

as for the photopaper, that is kinda up to your own discretion but mostly based on the surface you are glueing it to.

maybe use white gleu, double sided tape, gleu sticks made for pictures, whatever floats yer boat

just keep in mind that if you do use a liquid glue to use it sparingly, you dont want the paper to become saturated and wrinkle up

oh, dont forget to post pictures, there is a diorama section of the forum perfect for this