Making Decals

**wygz** · 01-30-2011 13:13

Just wondering if anyone knows, and if this has been posted before a link to it would suffice, but I need to get a printer anyways and was thinking about getting one that would allow me to print decals as well. I was wondering if anyone has ideas on good printers for doing this. And if so, if anyone knows what the best materials are, i.e. paper and inks, that would helpful as well.

I appreciate the help ahead of time. I am trying to get back into modelling and since I started playing WoW, I figured why not start here.

**jbmacek** · 01-30-2011 16:14

I have a run of the mill HP Deskjet that I've used for decals on the kids' pinewood derby cars. It does a fine job for those, so I'm hoping it will do just as good a job for WoW planes.

**Skullduggery** · 01-30-2011 19:14

This is something have been thinking of doing myself.

**The Cowman** · 01-30-2011 19:55

I use an everyday HP photo printer and paper from this site: http://www.beldecal.com/ They have both Clear and White paper. I usually buy a combo pack. Works great for me! The key is to always print on best quality. Let the ink dry. And you must clearcoat the decal and let it dry before applying it to the model!! A light gloss clearcoat on the model before applying is helpful as well...

I have also used an HP Color Laser printer and laser decal paper as well. Awesome results... but pricey in the end!

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 01-31-2011 01:10

The thread "Decals" on Page four of this forum may help to confuse you even more.
Rob.

**MayorJim** · 02-01-2011 13:16

Ken,

You clear coat the decals "before" applying them? Doesn't that cause them to crack? I can see clear coat "after" application, but....

**Dom S** · 02-01-2011 13:43

Try not clear-coating, and see what happens when your new decals, printed with water-based ink, are put in water....

Of course if you have a laser printer you're fine, but with inkjet printed decals, yeah, the clear coating's a bit of an essential....

**Aero825** · 02-01-2011 14:39

Making decals is to advanced for me. I just avoid custom decal designs and use store bought ones (or at least will!)

**Dom S** · 02-01-2011 14:48

Definitely the way forward....

**The Cowman** · 02-01-2011 18:18

Originally Posted by MayorJim

Ken,

You clear coat the decals "before" applying them? Doesn't that cause them to crack? I can see clear coat "after" application, but....

I would have to go with what Dom said... and no I have never had a decal crack on me. If you use TOO much clearcoat it can make it harder for the Microsol to work... but never cracks...

**Dom S** · 02-01-2011 18:20

One tip is that several very light sprays of clear coat is better than one heavy one.

**The Cowman** · 02-01-2011 18:26

Originally Posted by Dom S

One tip is that several very light sprays of clear coat is better than one heavy one.

And you know when I think about it, I always use Krylon Matte Clearcoat, which is designed to go on thicker with one coat, and promises no cracking... It works like a charm and is not that expensive!