How to print decals?

[peterdong]

Can somebody please give me some info on printing decals?

I can't find the right decals anywhere, for the Soviet 24th tank brigade, so I've decided to give printing them myself a go.
However, I know little or nothing about this topic, or even where to buy the correct supplies. Please help. 

Peter

[Sandinista]

Paper for sale here, with instructions

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220923605457?var=520061525604&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_578wt_954

Item instructions:

1. Print your images on the blank paper from an inkjet printer withPigment ink or dye ink; 

2. Make printed design dry (normally 5-10mins or blow-dry 1-2mins), and spray paper thoroughly with clear acrylic spray  to prevent running or bleeding when wet

3.  Put it into the warm water ,and wait for 30-60 seconds until thedesign can be removed from the backing paper .

4. Slip the photo from the backing paper to the object surface , and make it smooth and absorb the water in and aside of the photo . (Can use the special rubber scraper to make it smooth ),

5. Then wait 3 -10 hours ,let it dry ,at least spray the paint or put into the oven and heat to make make the transferring durable .;(ceramic/glass/iron heat  140 degrees ,10-20 minutes ;plastic  50-60 seconds)

6. Process  the image’s surface by spray paint . After this step, theimage is strongly attached to your item.

[Leon]

As Sandinista says, although if you need white decals, you're stuffed! 

[Si Tyler]

Making your own decals is sometimes the only way to go.  I make my own for 1/600th aircraft and have put a couple of resource guides up which you can have a look at.

http://anyonenotfinished.pbworks.com/w/page/9770774/Home-Made-Decals
and
http://anyonenotfinished.pbworks.com/w/page/9770763/Detailing-USN-Aircraft

Depending on your printer you have two options.  Paper is either inket or Laser.  If you have access to a colour laser then it is a lot less messy as you don't need to seal the print unlike inkjets which use water soluable ink.

In terms of creating coloured decals then you are up against it as clear paper requires a light background.  You have some options here both of which are on this page towards the bottom
http://raidscalegaming.pbworks.com/w/page/30016942/Arab%20Israeli%20Aircraft

[Hertsblue]

As Sandinista says, although if you need white decals, you're stuffed! 

You could, in theory, paint the area under the decal white so that it shows through, as in guards banners - but it makes a fiddly process even worse. And it's no good for white lettering on a plain surface.

[Ben Waterhouse]

Very useful and a nice site Si (especially as The Technician whilst decorating the Den found an unopened packet of "Wings over Suez" I forgot I had. "Use or lose" she quoth)

[fred.]

You can get white decal paper, then print the background colour to leave the white space. It can be hard to match colours though.

[peterdong]

As Sandinista says, although if you need white decals, you're stuffed! 

Sadly, I do need white decals. 

[Si Tyler]

Can you give us an idea of what you are trying to achieve as it may allow us to target a resolution

Si

[peterdong]

Soviet 24th tank brigade - markings and numbers.

German crosses and tank numbers, generic.

Thanks

[Leon]

For white numbers, you're better off finding some online somewhere, as they'd be so difficult to attempt at home unless you've got a very steady hand.   

[Si Tyler]

For vehicle numbers etc there are a number of vendors specialising in Russian/Soviet types

http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Products/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_17&zenid=612182663f8c0d9379db576bcbe5026b

Mixing 1/144th decals in works reasonably well as most of us are looking at the impact of the decal on the model so being overscale isn't normally an issue

Si

[Leon]

Those look familiar... 

http://www.pendraken.co.uk/World-War-II-c19/Decals-sc205/

[peterdong]

I printed some myself (after buying some kit), but instead of printing white on transparent, I printed green on white. 
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,5155.0.html