Making Your Own Decals

Post by **CaboWabo** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 10:45 am

I'm starting this thread so we can all share our knowledge and experiences in making decals, if you have something useful to add, please do!

I'll start off with what I know...

Which is better, inkjet or laser printers?
Laser printers are better, they print in better detail and don't leave "dots" of ink like inkjet printers do. Both work, but laser is better.

Do they sell specific paper for both printers?
Yes. You can can get clear or white sheets for either laser or inkjet printers.

Most printers don't print with white ink, what should I do?
Either use white decal paper or use clear decal paper and put your decal on a white background.

How should I make my decals?
- find or make your graphic and size it to the size you'll need. do a couple of "test prints" on regular paper so you can see if you need to make any adjustments.
- once your graphic is ready, just put your decal paper in your printer and print away.
- once done printing, let the sheet sit out for awhile before you touch it, or you could smear the ink. once completely dry you should add a clear coat of some sort to help protect the graphic and make it easier to apply. you can use thin coats of clear coat paint just as you would with your cars or they also sell decal clear coat specific for decals. on inkjet printers and water slide decals - it is a must that you coat the decals or you will get bleeding. laser printers don't always need the clear coat but it is still a good protector.
- once the clear coat is completely dried, you're ready to cut out your decals and start applying them.

cj · Post by cj » Tue Jul 29, 2003 10:51 am

#1 Wait for each step to dry BEFORE you touch it

I have wiped off many decals in my early trial with them by not waiting.

BilboBaggins · Post by **BilboBaggins** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 7:54 am

ALPS printer.

It prints dry and can print WHITE ink.

I want one, just don't have the cash to get one.

noxorc · Post by **noxorc** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 8:47 am

Laser decal paper does NOT need 'clear coating'.
It also drys by the time it comes out of the printer.

I have never had any running/smearing of laser printed decals.

-nox

EDIT: and those of you who I have sent decals to can confirm.

z-beam · Post by **z-beam** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:22 am

http://www.decalstore.com/pinstripes.asp

and heres a page with the motherload of nice samples to use...

noxorc · Post by **noxorc** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:43 pm

Your absolutely right. those are sweet.

I've just grab'd a copy for the archives.

Wonder how they'd look on a pimpin ride... metalic purple...hmmmm

-nox

Post by **CaboWabo** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:53 pm

I could always use more decals, that'd be killer if you wanted to man.

somebody has to make the bit jesus would own
http://www.decalstore.com/christian.asp

noxorc · Post by **noxorc** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:02 pm

CaboWabo wrote:I could always use more decals, that'd be killer if you wanted to man.

somebody has to make the bit jesus would own
http://www.decalstore.com/christian.asp

I'm bring my decal paper to work tomorrow.

I'll rip a couple out fur ya.
I just tried on my Photo Printer, but it doesn't like the Lazer paper.
So, off to work and use their equipment....
let cha know.

-nox

noxorc · Post by **noxorc** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:44 am

Cab, the quality of the .jpg posted on the website sucks.. (staircase et al).

if you can vectorize them, so they can shrink and grow with quality, I'll print them fur ya.
But as they are posted, it's not worth the paper...

I'll let my paper @ work...til I hear from you.

-nox

betty.k · Post by **betty.k** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 5:20 pm

i've never made proper decals but licence plates and other flat graphics are easy to do with a decent colour printer. once the licence plate is printed smear superglue all over it and more, then quickly press it against a flat surface that superglue will not stick to. keep it in place until the glue dries, a few minutes should be fine. tackle box plastic and the smooth backing from stickers works well, do some tests first. the end result is basically a plastic coated licence plate, track barrier, whatever.
you can use regular printer paper but some sort of special paper made for inks is better as the glue won't bleed into it. that's only if you have it around, if you need to go buy something you may as well buy real decal paper.

noxorc · Post by **noxorc** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:00 pm

CaboWabo wrote:I could always use more decals, that'd be killer if you wanted to man.

somebody has to make the bit jesus would own
http://www.decalstore.com/christian.asp

Yo... BUMP....

what do you want to do.... can you make them more flexable?

Post by **CaboWabo** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 9:54 am

here's some beer logo's that might be good for decals
http://www.diebierdose.de/english/download/dowpop.html

kvik369 · Post by **kvik369** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:23 am

only on this site do I search for rc info and end up with beer logos

LOL

DarkTari · Post by **DarkTari** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:36 am

kvik369 wrote:only on this site do I search for rc info and end up with beer logos

LOL

Welcome to Da Hood

"hic"

Post by **CaboWabo** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 12:25 pm

we like to tie in our favorite past times, r/c's and inebriation lol