Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Seraphim on April 17, 2009, 12:08:42 AM

Title: Scale model decals
Post by: Seraphim on April 17, 2009, 12:08:42 AM: I know there's a few talented scale modelers here, & I'm building a 1/48 B-25 for my lil sis.....Her name is Michelle, nicknamed mitchell, so what better gift than a mitchell? ;)

Anyways, I was wonderin if anyone knew how to make, or transfer, a picture to a decal to put as nose art. Basically I wanted to have of pic of her smilin face as the nose art, but haven't found any way of getting this done...short of hiring a pro painter.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: phatzo on April 17, 2009, 12:15:36 AM: check out signwriters they can do amazing stuff with digital printers
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: AWwrgwy on April 17, 2009, 12:53:28 AM: Can you print directly onto clear decal film?

Dunno.

wrongway
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: Seraphim on April 17, 2009, 12:58:47 AM: I have no idea wrongway......phatzo, a little more specific? I looked up signwriters, it led me to some publishing company.....

this decal would be fairly small, about 1/2" square.

I know it seems like a small deal, but I wanna get it nice & right for baby sis, while not spending a fortune.
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: phatzo on April 17, 2009, 01:24:33 AM: my Buddy is a signwriter and he can digitally print on to clear plastic that is somehow adheasive. He done his massive rollerdoor at his factory as a big einstein face. What I'm telling you is what I,ve seen and I'm by far no expert

http://www.yellowpages.com.au/bi/letter-rip-signs-west-burleigh-qld-5503756.html

some contact details
Tell him Adam from the bolt shop refered you
Erin is really cool and can prolly tell you what you need
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: Guppy35 on April 17, 2009, 01:46:10 AM: Go to www.hyperscale.com. Look around and ask there. Lots of folks print their own decals.
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: Kazaa on April 17, 2009, 02:07:23 AM: ...
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: Sharrk on April 17, 2009, 02:08:19 AM: Try this site, but Areo Masters do quite a range of Decals for models.

http://www.hannants.co.uk

http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?CATEGORY=&DIVISION=&MANUFACTURER=&CODE=&TYPE=Decal&SCALE=1%3A48&KEYWORD=b-25&NUMPERPAGE=25&order%5B%5D=arrived+desc&order%5B%5D=code+asc

http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=AMD48691

Happy hunting....
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: AWwrgwy on April 17, 2009, 04:08:15 AM: http://www.modelsbuzz.com/need-help-with-injet-printing-on-decal-film-913165.html (http://www.modelsbuzz.com/need-help-with-injet-printing-on-decal-film-913165.html)
http://www.modelsbuzz.com/do-it-yourself-decals-329387.html (http://www.modelsbuzz.com/do-it-yourself-decals-329387.html)

So, I guess with proper preperation you can print your own.

An interesting thing that I had not thought of that I discovered while reading up. You cannot print white.

Makes sense.

wrongway
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: phatzo on April 17, 2009, 05:29:43 AM: 100% correct wrongway you need a painted base colour background
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: avionix on April 17, 2009, 05:37:15 AM: I never used it, but I know Walmart at one time had a little program that would allow you to make your own decals from and injet printer. It was in their "model" section.
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: Die Hard on April 17, 2009, 06:18:22 AM: Quote from: phatzo on April 17, 2009, 05:29:43 AM
100% correct wrongway you need a painted base colour background

There is white printable water-transfer decal paper available, but then you have to cut out the decal accurately with a knife. It's not that hard unless there are many curves. Depending on the model/decal I use both white and transparent paper.
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: Seraphim on April 17, 2009, 08:07:21 AM: Thanks for the info everyone.
Title: Re: Scale model decals
Post by: DYNAMITE on April 17, 2009, 08:35:29 AM: Go for it bud... printing your own decals is easy, and if you have a decent hobby shop near you they should have the paper in stock.

I did this myself when I made a model of the b24 my grandfather flew in during the war... it was the only way I could reproduce the nose art. Anyway, long story short it came out great and he loves it.

GL and have fun!