What equipment is needed to make decals at home?

[Craig Irwin]

I need schooli'n I ain't fooli'n.

I need to know everything from artwork layout to type of printer. I know nothing!

I need a couple sets of decals for projects that the decal guys can't stop fighting long enough to make.

So somebody give me a clue!

HELP!

[John Pol]

Well for program you can use word perfect whitch most computers have or get Coral Photo Shop Pro whitch takes awile to learn. For a printer you can go HP,Epson. I have a Epson ink jet printer and works great for decals. Just that thisp rinters don`t print white.

[Craig Irwin]

I need everything, how do you go from a blank screen to what you want to print?

[John Pol]

All depends what you want to print. If its sponcer decals or something off the net. You have to make sure its at a high resolution for one. Get the program that you are going to use. Open new project search for where you put the photo you got off the net. Most people download the photo to the desk top so they know where it is. Once you have the photo in the program you are using you can downsize to what you need. This u need to exsperment alittle with. So what I do is print it on paper but downsize different for a couple of them. So when you print first on paper you know what would be the right size for your model. Make sure you get ink jet paper unlest you get a lazer printer. Make sure the glossey side is towards you when you put in printer. Hope this helps you alittle. Takes a lot of practise to get the right size that's why I print first on paper than decal

[Craig Irwin]

It's artwork on race cars, I think I need someone who does custom work.

I may try to hand paint it on white decal paper.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Craig Irwin

[Kit Basher]

I'm no expert, but I've done a few, so I'll try to give you the basics. You need decal paper, sealer, a printer, and a computer. I use Papilio paper and Krylon Crystal Clear as a sealer. I have Windows, MS Office, and Photoshop Elements.If you have different software, this may not apply. If you can find an image you like online, right click on it, and click "Save picture as". Save it in "My Pictures". If that image is OK as is, the easiest way to resize it is in MS Word. Use "Insert/picture/from file". Once you have the image, click on it and a box will appear around it. If you "grab" one corner of the box, you can shrink the image while keeping the proportions the same. The rulers on the screen will help, but tests are still needed. Once you have the size you want, print it on decal paper with the printer set on "Photo" and "Glossy photo paper". Allow the ink to dry thoroughly, I usually wait a day. Seal the decal. One or two light coats is all that is needed. Too much will make the decal thicker than it needs to be. Ready to cut out and apply.

If you have to design your own image, it's more challenging. MS Paint (in the "accessories" section of Windows) is useful for drawing lines and shapes, and some limited text. More options for text can be found in MS Word, at "Insert/picture/WordArt". Photoshop can do amazing things, even for a dummy like me who can barely use it, but that is a whole 'nother discussion!

I hope that helps a little. Hopefully folks with more expertise will chime in with better info.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Kit Basher