Decals

[Craig Johnson]

I would like to have a decal made from an image I downloaded. Does anyone know someone who can do this. I thought maybe whoever reproduces the old town decals for you. Thanks.
Craig

 

[Fitz]

Craig:

I haven't tried this, and can't recall the specifics, but I know you can buy decal paper (decal slips off after soaking) that you can run through your own printer.

Fitz

 

[wanderlustjake]

Check with your local hobby shop, craft store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby etc) or even an office supply like Staples or someplace, should be easy to find. Testors paint makes a water slide decal paper that I've seen at Hobby Lobby.

 

[jdm6593]

I was looking into this some time ago and found some info, but don't remember much about it. The following PDF is something I found at that time for what it's worth. I don't have any experience with these. I have used commercial vinyl decals that you clearcoat over, but they are too thick for my taste.

View attachment inkjet_water_slide_decal_paper_instructions.pdf

 

[Todd Bradshaw]

Be aware that most computer printer ink isn't very colorfast when out in the sun and may gradually just fade away. The varnish top-coat over the decal will help slow this, but won't totally eliminate the problem.The issue if you don't print them yourself and want them professionally made becomes one of quantity. Do you have a way to unload 25-50 extra decals in order to meet the minimum order and then re-capture most of your investment? If it's something rare that other members might be able to use, selling the extras might be a possibility. If not, you might end up spending $50-$60 or so on the one copy you need and have a lifetime supply of extras for backup (though unused decals usually have a limited shelf life of a few years before the film starts to get brittle and they get hard to work with).

Another factor is the color. If they're screen-printed, that's not a problem, but screen printing is usually going to be something that only fairly well established vendors do. A lot of the small vendors use computer printers instead, in which case, most can't print any part that is supposed to be white ink. It comes out clear on the decal. Those small operations that are able to print white do so by using old Alps printers. These use ribbons like typewriters or early word processors and they include a white one. You see Alps printers from time to time on eBay, but they tend to command a pretty good price for an old printer that really isn't good for anything else, strictly because the guys printing custom decals want them.

One source for good screened custom decals (though you're probably looking at a $50-$75 minimum order):
http://www.railgraphicsdecals.com/index.htm

 

[nigelphoto]

Try http://www.cafepress.com/ to print your own decals. It is a US company but we have access here in the UK. You will need to open an account (your own 'shop') and upload your designs. It is quite complicated as the tools and choices available to you are so extensive. I have made several 'name plate' decals for my canoes and they are very well printed and quite durable in use, being water and UV resistant. I have had to replace one as I scratched it badly getting into the water from a rowing club (concrete) pontoon. If you need help on using the cafe press site let me know and I'll try to set out some instructions since their own 'help' index is as useful as a chocolate fireguard. Good luck!
Nige

Image of name plate 'Das Boot' on my German made Canoki -

by nigelphoto2011, on Flickr

And if you're wondering, 'Das Boot' came from the wonderful 1981 German epic war film written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, produced by Günter Rohrbach.

 

[Craig Johnson]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Craig