Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: peterdong on 22 March 2012, 10:14:27 PM

Title: How to print decals?
Post by: peterdong on 22 March 2012, 10:14:27 PM
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
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Sandinista on 22 March 2012, 10:24:46 PM
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.
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Leon on 22 March 2012, 11:50:07 PM
As Sandinista says, although if you need white decals, you're stuffed! 
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Si Tyler on 23 March 2012, 08:42:49 AM
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 (http://anyonenotfinished.pbworks.com/w/page/9770774/Home-Made-Decals)
and
http://anyonenotfinished.pbworks.com/w/page/9770763/Detailing-USN-Aircraft (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 (http://raidscalegaming.pbworks.com/w/page/30016942/Arab%20Israeli%20Aircraft)
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Hertsblue on 23 March 2012, 08:56:11 AM
Quote from: Leon on 22 March 2012, 11:50:07 PM
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.
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Ben Waterhouse on 23 March 2012, 10:04:17 AM
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)
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: fred. on 23 March 2012, 05:54:45 PM
You can get white decal paper, then print the background colour to leave the white space. It can be hard to match colours though.
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: peterdong on 23 March 2012, 07:03:04 PM
Quote from: Leon on 22 March 2012, 11:50:07 PM
As Sandinista says, although if you need white decals, you're stuffed! 

Sadly, I do need white decals.  :(
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Si Tyler on 23 March 2012, 07:29:34 PM
Can you give us an idea of what you are trying to achieve as it may allow us to target a resolution

Si
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: peterdong on 23 March 2012, 07:31:46 PM
Soviet 24th tank brigade - markings and numbers.

German crosses and tank numbers, generic.

Thanks
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Leon on 23 March 2012, 07:57:22 PM
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.   :(
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Si Tyler on 23 March 2012, 10:27:21 PM
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 (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
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: Leon on 23 March 2012, 10:45:34 PM
Those look familiar...  ;)

http://www.pendraken.co.uk/World-War-II-c19/Decals-sc205/ (http://www.pendraken.co.uk/World-War-II-c19/Decals-sc205/)
Title: Re: How to print decals?
Post by: peterdong on 06 May 2012, 05:51:26 PM
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