Making your own transfers

[Simpo Two]

I think I've seen this before, years ago, but can't remember the answer.

I need to rebrand my Hasegawa eggplane. Is there some product that allows me to print what I want onto it (text only will do) and then it turns into a transfer? Or what other way can I get perfect small lettering onto plastic model?

[Eric Mc]

Little Cars sells printer friendly decal sheet. You can get different versions depending on whether you have a laser jet or an inkjet printer.

[Red Firecracker]

Couple of links here;

http://www.diecastrestoration.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtop...

http://www.diecastrestoration.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtop...

(links to a forum I host)

Making decals is pretty easy once you get the knack and appreciate the limitations. First and foremost is, you're not going to print white with a 'normal' printer. That's pretty obvious, but what people don't appreciate is that in a lot of cases coloured text needs a white undercoat if going onto a dark surface. It is possible to print onto white paper, but then you're potentially into issues with how you disguise the paper around the lettering/logo. It's very very difficult to print the same colour as the paint and then you normally get a white witness mark around the paper.

This leads to the first questions, what colour text do you want and what colour is the surface they're going onto?

If you're after something specialist, then you're looking at printing on an ALPS printer, but then you're into limitations with colour palette.

You know I said it was easy.....

[perdu]

Simpo why not tell us what you want in the way of re-branding

Then those of us who have (several) done "print-yer-own" can advise you better

Sometmes though re-branding could be better achieved with Letraset/Magic Letters

Or proprietary decal sheet lettering

Or even a felt tip pen applied judiciously

[AER]

Hmmm... In CGI it would have been done by now...

[perdu]

[Skodaku]

Crafty Computer Paper are your friend for this. Clear and white papers, with full instructions. And some other interesting printable media.

http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/default.aspx?...

[Simpo Two]

Very useful, thanks. I'm not sure exactly what may be required, perhaps just black text - but as it's going on a Hasegawa Eggplane it will be very small!

I can't see how it works with inkjet ink though - whilst there is a clear spray on top, what stops the underneath dissolving into oblivion?

[Red Firecracker]

Simpo Two said:

Very useful, thanks. I'm not sure exactly what may be required, perhaps just black text - but as it's going on a Hasegawa Eggplane it will be very small!

I can't see how it works with inkjet ink though - whilst there is a clear spray on top, what stops the underneath dissolving into oblivion?

You have to use very very light coats and wait a couple of hours after printing before spraying the first one. If you get really stuck, drop me an email and I can print you some using a different method that can get a little bit finer than inkjet.

[Simpo Two]

Splendid... it will be a while before the 'corporate ID' is ready to go but will certanly be back if we get stuck!

[Simpo Two]

I'm trying to contact the kindly PHer who supplied the decals for my little model.

The film is ready and we'd like to invite him to the premiere in April.

So if you're reading this, please drop me a line