Transfer paper for decals
- Thread starter cleen X
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Gilvan Blight
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Don\'t know the answer but would like to know so responding so I will get an email if there are any actual useful replies 
If you use clear decal film on a black background, it will probably be very difficult to see the decal. The colors just don\'t show up well.
If I have to put a custom decal on a dark background color, I use white decal paper. I print a border the same color as the background color (or as close as I can get) around the symbol/insignia/whatever. Trim the decal as close as possible, apply it, and touch up the border with the background paint.
A few extra steps, but I hope I explained well.
I also have a lot of problems with decals I print wrinkling up, sticking to themselves, ripping, and being ruined. I\'ve discovered that if after I print them I give them a light coat of gloss lacquer and cut them out after that dries, I have fewer problems. It\'s easy to get too thick a layer of lacquer, though , and then the edges of the decal film are very easy to see when applied.
I hope some of this is helpful.
If I have to put a custom decal on a dark background color, I use white decal paper. I print a border the same color as the background color (or as close as I can get) around the symbol/insignia/whatever. Trim the decal as close as possible, apply it, and touch up the border with the background paint.
A few extra steps, but I hope I explained well.
I also have a lot of problems with decals I print wrinkling up, sticking to themselves, ripping, and being ruined. I\'ve discovered that if after I print them I give them a light coat of gloss lacquer and cut them out after that dries, I have fewer problems. It\'s easy to get too thick a layer of lacquer, though , and then the edges of the decal film are very easy to see when applied.
I hope some of this is helpful.
CleenX: It might be easier to get someone in the UK to Send your designs to, and get them to print them for you.
International Postage of Paper/Card would be a lot safer, and cheaper than Surface Posting of Spraycans.
International Postage of Paper/Card would be a lot safer, and cheaper than Surface Posting of Spraycans.
You could try clear film on a dark background, but my results when I tried it were not good unless the decal was a darker color (e.g., a black decal on dark red came out okay, blue on black did not, and yellow on black did not).
I like Dragonsreach\'s suggestion to get someone to print them and send them to you, but if you don\'t want to do that, perhaps if you contact the seller by e-mail, they can give you a price without the spray?
Aussie Decals makes the inkjet variety too but that also gives you the same problem with ordering from the other side of the world.
The ones that I have bought come as a pack of 5 sheets without the gloss spray can. You can also purchase them as single sheets.
http://www.aussiedecals.com.au
The ones that I have bought come as a pack of 5 sheets without the gloss spray can. You can also purchase them as single sheets.
http://www.aussiedecals.com.au
You need the spray to seal the printing in order to make it a decal.
Otherwise it just becomes horrible runny mess when put in water.
I was thinking perhaps he could order the paper without the spray and get the spray locally.
I buy packets of three sheets of decal paper from my local hobby shop. It doesn\'t come with spray. After printing, I just spray it with some Testors gloss coat or Krylon clear gloss. Works just fine.
Now that I\'ve moved to a laser printer, running isn\'t a problem anymore, but it still needs a spray of lacquer or the decals wrinkle, fold, and stick to themselves...
I find a solvent based laquer, thinned down and brushed on to the paper, works well to seal the decals.
This give a better coverage than spraying and allows you to apply a thinner coat.
Humbrol mattcote is what I have used.
As for the paper, try....
http://www.lazertran.com/products/lazertran_products_inkjet.htm
This paper seals the inks to make them waterproof, but you still need to coat in a solvent laquer to make the decal transparent, as they are translucent to opaque.
Interesting to note, is that they are working on a waterproof and transparent version, testing being done at the moment with some university.
This give a better coverage than spraying and allows you to apply a thinner coat.
Humbrol mattcote is what I have used.
As for the paper, try....
http://www.lazertran.com/products/lazertran_products_inkjet.htm
This paper seals the inks to make them waterproof, but you still need to coat in a solvent laquer to make the decal transparent, as they are translucent to opaque.
Interesting to note, is that they are working on a waterproof and transparent version, testing being done at the moment with some university.
