How To Make Custom Decals For Model Projects

In this video I show you how to make custom decals for model projects. From signs to graffiti, from rolling stock to structures, custom decals are a great way to add detail and realism to all of your models.
✅ Visit our sponsor, Midwest Model Railroad: www.midwestmodelrr.com
✅ Want to get more RTNT? Consider becoming a channel member. Click the “Join” button or use this link to learn more: / @ronstrainsnthings
🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽
✅ RTNT Amazon Page: www.amazon.com/shop/ronstrain...
✅ Amazon Pick of the Week: decal paper - amzn.to/38ZpZ2q
decal bonder - amzn.to/2OptmIa
Micro Set/Micro Sol - amzn.to/2tq07xy
(NOTE: The above are Amazon affiliate links: I make a small commission from any purchased made through these links.)
✅ Save 10% on all regularly priced items from Micro-Mark: The Small Tool Specialists. Use promo code RTRAINS upon checkout. www.micromark.com/
(NOTE: The above link is an affiliate link. I receive a commission from all purchases made through this link. Exclusions: This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, not applicable to Pre-Orders, Digitrax, SoundTraxx, or 3D items, applicable to merchandise price only, shipping and handling fees not included, gift cards, or eGift certificates.)
✅ Find fantastic foam cutting tools and adhesives from Hot Wire Foam Factory at: hotwirefoamfactory.com/home.p...
(NOTE: The above link is an affiliate link. I make a small commission from any purchases made through this link.)
✅ Get RTNT merch at the RTNT Company Store: teespring.com/stores/rtnt-com...
🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽
✅Take advantage of the rewards for your support of Ron's Trains N Things through Patreon: / ronstrainnthings
✅ You can also invest in this channel through PayPal:
www.paypal.me/RonsTrainsNThings
Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank You.
🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽
🔸 Contact me via email: [e-mail]
🔸 Join the Ron's Railfans community on Facebook: / ronsrailfans
🔸 Connect on Instagram: / rtrains
🔸 For more about my layout, the Texas Colorado & Western Railway, check out / tcwry
If you like what you see give it a "like" 👍, subscribe 🔔, comment 💬 below, and share it on your social media and model railroad forums.
🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽
Credits:
🤘 Theme Song: "Extremes" by the Lemming Shepherds
Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
🎵 CGI Snake by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/divider/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/
Five Card Shuffle by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
👂 Sound E ffects: LoudTVStatice.wav from Freesound.org by 18hiltc / @rc_swift1772
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
TVStaticSound by KLEBER KGF from Freesound.org
Public Domain
Equipment:
🔷 Canon Rebel T6i DSLR--amzn.to/2EEGYeO
🔷 Canon Rebel T7i DSLR--amzn.to/3ar8dWJ
🔷 MX-2000 tripod
🔷 Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam--amzn.to/2CaBzfd
🔷 Excelvan 2kW Lighting Kit--amzn.to/2EcHZrH
🔷 Blue Snowball Ice Microphone--amzn.to/2Cb1raG
🔷 HitFilm 14 Express--hitfilm.com/express
🔷 Audacity--www.audacityteam.org/
🔷 The Sun--en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

If you are interested in weathering and detailing effects, you should check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inqqpqaJmKZ8b8k

[@NasrafRekcos]

Waaaaaaaow I’ve been searching for something like this like forever but never found anything this smooth. Thank you for sharing your wizardry 👌

[@daniboy2982]

20 years ago I was sneaking into train yards with a backpack full of spray cans and a sketch of what I wanted to paint on a boxcar. This video is awesome Mr Ron.

[@AlphaGator9]

While my interest is in military wargaming, the skills you present here are the exact same that i will want to learn. Thank you for sharing your time and your talent. :)

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Always good to hear from my wargaming and military modeling friends.

[@gregoryroth5527]

Was thinking the same thing this week when I found Ron! I did HO scale as a kid, but transitioned into war games decades ago; but the spheres do intersect!

[@owenlaprath4135]

Thanks for making this guide! This is a seriously good use for home PC equipment :) Times are good for access to high tech equipment. Just 25 years ago, computers were still expensive, and just a "basic" system with computer, monitor, and printer, set you back about 1500 to 2000 bucks for a slow-boat work horse, at minimum a full grand for a chonky old clonker. I used to sell them, so I know! It's been years I spent this much, and my last few are refurbs at less than 300 for a full system, and printers can be had brand new for 25 bucks. The ink refills cost you more than the whole box!

[@Ronn76_]

Love videos and the store I visit there twice.

[@LegionOfWeirdos]

The old "email a screen shot to yourself" trick. I've done that tons of time of different reasons. If you plan to do a lot of decal work like this, you might want to invest in an entry level Wacom pen to do the outlines so you don't drive yourself crazy with the mouse.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Great advice. Thanks.

[@SouthBrooklynRR]

"Great Graffiti Styles" something that I thought I would never hear someone say. Great Information and good video

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Hey,Bill. Lol, well, I was talking about great models, not justifying vandalism.

[@shaun7057]

What's wrong with graffiti? It's obviously a big enough influence on people that they recreate in all scales of modeling

[@fortytwo244]

Believe it or not, there is good graffiti and bad graffiti, just like any art form

[@TimberSurf]

I have had all the components for a few years, just never got round to doing anything with them, now I know what the sequence/use of micro set/sol is for! Thanks, very clear instructional video!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Thanks, and I'm glad it was helpful. Good luck on your own decals.

[@mandbhomestead]

Excellent video Ron, full of a lot of great info and tips. Thanks for sharing. Ken

[@cloverdalerail1093]

Great Video Ron!

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR GREAT DETAIL VIDEO FROM AUSTRALIA

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

I had no idea about that app, very cool. Ill have to try it out. I have some of that white decal paper but done use it much. Ill have to try it out and cut close to the edges like you did. Thats always been something that I need to get better at.

[@nackdibby7960]

Very cool and looks like fun with great results! Thanks for sharing!

[@GfwTrains]

Thanks for the tutorial. Very informative. Thumbs up.

[@MrJhound4]

Very informative. I think this video will useful for most model kit builds and not just rail road models!

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks for the video Ron!

[@dunkinckustom2073]

Ron its always great to see your videos .Thanks for sharing. Love the look of graffiti on box cars

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Thanks.

[@racerm50]

Great video Ron just the type of info I was looking for.

[@MrBsHiawathalandRails]

Helpful for sure. Thanks.

[@zulfphotography]

Great job, this will come in handy thanks for sharing,

[@hansfehlow9657]

What a great way to add my own custom name to my RR. Thanks for putting all the components needed for success together in this video! Hans ...

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I'm glad you found it helpful. Good luck.

[@davidmuse7004]

Ron, thank you! Very informative video and making the decals is not as hard as I thought. Great tips throughout the video. Thanks for sharing Muse

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Yes, this is a fairly easy process and it makes common models unique. Well worth the effort.

[@deeppurple3489]

Very informative, thank you!

[@sapphicselene8269]

Thanks for the video. I'm considering turning model cars into itashas (cars with wraps on them depicting anime and video game characters) and I needed a way to make custom decals.

[@tonyrifkin5849]

Ty, that was the video I was waiting for. They look great and they are not Fuzzy

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Sorry it tool so long. January has been...well, it's like the Monday of months.

[@blank-dr8vg]

Thanks for video. I'm looking into doing some decals for my locomotives and this was just what I needed.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@thefutureofyesterday8136]

Very helpful video Ron. It’s a lot of steps involved for sure. It seems with the advancement of apps, software, high quality printers that there would be a easier way. However that’s just my thoughts but your method may indeed be the best way. I have no idea but in the near future I will be in need of 100’s of custom decals. More of custom text type signs for the different businesses etc on the layout.

[@CM-ARM]

Thanks Ron I'm going to try this for my clubs layout. I built some custom cattle trucks and trailers. I want to personalize them. Thanks yet again

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Sounds like a cool project. Would love to see your results when you are dome.

[@ronec2092]

Looks great thank you. Going to apply this to Hotwheels and Wargaming.

[@Lumlums]

Great video. You should show us how to do consist and speed matching. Im getting my nce power cab soon and im so confused on how to adjust speed tables.

[@danielhulitt1212]

Nice video, pastor. I have done this with Testors products and pulled logos and graphics from the internet including holiday clip art sites. As my platform, I just used Microsoft Word as I don't have any specific editing software. I found this worked well, could size and rotate the image with ease. I used this process for making two holiday-themed cars, a gondola filled with bins of pumpkins with Happy Halloween on the sides, with the jack o lanterns and witches for company. I also did a hopper car with Santa image and Reindeer food markings and load. As you said, Ron, there are so many opportunities to use the process, including buildings, and watching the video should get everyone on the right path.....but that is your day job isn't it!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Hi, Daniel. Yes, I'v used a Testors kit before. If doing very many decals, the film is more expensive, but if only doing a few it works well. As for Word, yes, you can certainly use it. I think Publisher is a little easier to manipulate, but if you don't have access to it Word works very well.

[@j0hnnykn0xv1lle]

I had no idea that Ron was living the Thug Life!

[@ebindelgado9660]

This might come in handy for custom gunpla builds

[@DEVOTED2YaHUaH144k]

Graffiti is amazing art in my opinion 😍

[@thedumpstersprojectph9413]

All I need to know for future projects

[@KeithHearnPlus]

This looks great. I just wish there was a way to do white lettering

[@user-jq7lg4iz3u]

Hey Ron, excellent video. Can You tell me how you measured the scale?

[@spurndigital-stefansmodell4650]

great idea I have to see if I can do it with my hands greeting 😀

[@eXtremeFX2010]

Hi... Really enjoyed your Video... I too make Decals but...Have had trouble locating Testors Decal Bonder. It's been Unavailable for some time. Can't find it at all. Do you have an alternative solution that works same as Testors Decal Bonder?

[@reconwarroirthetrue1685]

i found some of the items you give links on the U.K. amazon website and over country website.

[@mjesus4621]

how do you get a good quality and not pixeled look to your decals? It sometimes happened that when printing the small pieces I they go so bad quality and don´t get neat when printed

[@trainroomgary]

Like • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@pacbeltrr38]

Hi Ron! Carmine again... I logged into my RR Channel. No videos yet, haven't been able to do anything since I opened it. Hopefully that's about to change!! 😉 I've made Decals when my Printer used to work... But always had trouble designing them. 😖 My Pacific Belt RR uses WHITE Lettering. Seemed like a good idea when I used Southern Pacific/Cotton Belt decal sets back in the 70's.... It's what I've used since then. Ron Brycz from Australia made me my only custom set from his ALPS Printer, but shipping is ridiculous!! 😳 I'll have to save this Video for whenever I can finally afford a new Printer. Great tips for doing color Decals! Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[@wannabkain4400]

Watching this to custom my Gunpla

[@TheTrainFreak]

Hey Ron, I downloaded this app based on your video and it looks like the creator updated it to where you can save the images .😁

[@FunkuAskhole]

What kind of printer did you use?

[@HillBillyRailRoad]

outstanding look brother

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@Iraski]

Coming from wargaming and gunpla, Future floor polish through an airbrush makes a good between-layers sealer if you want to save your dullcoat for your final matte seal. Future is just a thin, clear, glossy acrylic. I usually put a layer both under and over the decals, though I'm used to working from a freshly primed model instead of adding on to something pre-painted. If there's anything going over the decals, like a wash, I'll seal with Future again before weathering as well since I sometimes use enamel weathering products.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I am familiar with the use of Future, I just haven't tried it myself. I may have to do that.

[@reconwarroirthetrue1685]

Is there a way to get photo scissors on the laptop because I don't want to remove apps on my cellphone to make room is their a another way ???

[@dicksmith3553]

Hi. How would apply a decal over an existing decal. As in aircraft when you have body stripes and then apply a US AIR FORCE over top of stripes? Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks, DickT

[@TGsports_Free2watch]

I’m using this to make a custom short line railroad.

[@robertterry9367]

GREAT video-thanks very much. I assume you can do the same with railroad names and other such items. Bob

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Sure, you can do this with most any graphic or text.

[@reconwarroirthetrue1685]

How do you do a screen shot???

[@click4mrh]

Ron, great video, thanks. I downloaded the graffiti app, but I do not see an option to push or pull individual letters forward/backward. I only see that the left letter is able to move over the right letter. You seem to have managed it to work either way, how?

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Once you enter the text, below there are several modification options. On the far left, click the icon that looks like a finger pointing. There you can click on each individual letter and move them in 4 directions until you get the arrangement you want.

[@click4mrh]

@@RonsTrainsNThings yeah, I get that but it only seems that the left most letter can cross behind each succeeding letter. Is there no way to cross a letter to the back, like the "move forward". "move back". Features in most word processing. It looks like you were able to cross the RTNT letters as you wished.

[@TolgaEastCoast]

Is there a substitute for decal bonder? Looks impossible to find online.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

That is a good question. I would assume a spray gloss coat is your best bet, but you would need to test it before you try it on a model. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to try myself, but when I can I will give it a try and make a follow-up video. If you do test it, let me know how it goes.

[@billbowman8747]

Rather than use a dedicated decal bonder spray just use hairspray. I’ve had good results. Your mileage may vary.

[@IMRROcom]

In it to win it! That was not me :)

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

😅😂🤣

[@Maxtherocketguy]

I use it for model planes

[@centeroftheearthmining4095]

Would this work on wood structures? Like store fronts?

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

It certainly would.

[@ixiairisborne1695]

I tried this with Blinggasm clear laser printer decal sheets. The backing film isn't clear. If I'd been putting it on something black, it probably wouldn't have been visible, but I was putting it on a fairly bright color.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I have used Blinggasm film as well. It works pretty well.

[@reconwarroirthetrue1685]

Would clear enamel work??? from a spray can that would work/protect the water slit decals. After the ink has dryed ??? Because I used that spray can for 📷 paper for yugioh cards.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

It should butbI can't say for sure. Test it.

[@Command37]

I'm finding it difficult to find a way to make a simple plain Dewalt yellow background with black text for my DeWalt power tool. Help please.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I don't know that I can help much. Printing yellow is extremely challenging.

[@christos7440]

Huh :)) Nicely done

[@Elfnetdesigns]

I am doing this along with custom painting an undecorated sd40-2 to my fictional Garry's Mod and Minecraft Immersive Railroading railroad "Elfnet Rail-Link"

[@threads19]

How could you make a white decal?

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Printers don't print white, so you have to use white decal film and leave the white parts clear or transparent in the printed art.

[@Tom_4884]

Since Testors seems to have stopped making the Decal Bonder product, are you aware of any good alternatives? Thanks!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I'm not sure, but I assume Testors spray gloss coat would work. I would test it first. I will have to try this soon and make a follow-up video. If you do test it, let me know how it goes.

[@Tom_4884]

@@RonsTrainsNThings I am using Mod Podge Matte Mate clear acrylic sealer which seems to be working fine so far. Tom

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

[@IMRROcom]

That is almost the identical way I made my decals.

[@josephtannenbaum8696]

Testors decal bonder no longer available.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Use spray lacquer, 2 or 3 VERY LIGHT coats.

[@modularcuriosity]

Do you know of a way to make decals with white lettering? A printer prints white by not printing anything since the paper itself is white, but I'd love to produce custom white lettering on box cars or other models. So far, I think you have to go with purchasing sheets of individual pre-printed white letters and numbers. I haven't been able to find a way to create white lettering on a printer.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

The only white lettering option I know is to print the letters on a colorer printed background. For while lettering printed on a clear background you need a special printer that prints white. Your best bet there is to buy commercial decals.

[@LTBROYT6A]

Modular Curiosity, you can print on white decal film by creating a text box the color of whatever you are applying the decal to. Just like creating white text in a colored box in Microsoft Word. The hard part is matching the color of the printed part to the the color of the the object you are going to apply the decal to, that will be a trial and error process. Keep adjusting the color and printing on matt photo paper for matt surfaces, or gloss photo paper for gloss surfaces until you get a match then print on the decal paper and make sure it still matches. If you get a close enough match your weathering should hide any color differences and the white decal film will block any background color from showing through the white lettering. Barry Broyles.

[@davidcowe6667]

What kind of printer should i use

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

You can use either a laser or an ink jet, but use the decal paper for the type of printer you are using (they are different).

[@davidcowe6667]

Ron's Trains N Things thanks 👍🏻😄

[@lhpl]

You state in the video that some HP LaserJet printers are inkjet printers. I am quite certain that that is not correct.

[@nznegrfx8464]

This gentleman sounds like Kyle Herbert. You sure you don't voice at on the side sir?

[@willmellor1343]

great tutorial, bad graffiti though!

[@stationmasterkuma]

are you Phil swifts brother “ONE ITS DRY LET IT DRY” “LET IT DRY”

[@joeraderblackrockcentralrr3687]

SO what can I do without a smart phone? Not everyone in the retired community has one

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

www.google.com/search?q=graffiti+name+generator&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS740US740&oq=grafiti+name+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l7.4952j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[@thehotwheelshunter]

Every one else I watched used the micro sol first and micro set second must not make a difference

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I don't know who else you are watching, but that is completely backward. Micro Set slightly softens the decal and allows it to begin to conform to the surface of the model.. Micro Sol completely softens the decal to conform to complex surfaces and details. Micro Sol may not always be needed, but applying it first then trying to position a decal runs a very high risk of tearing and destroying the decal. Here is a brief article from a military modeler explaining the difference. www.themightybrush.com/article/how-to-apply-decals-with-microset-and-microsol/

[@thehotwheelshunter]

@@RonsTrainsNThings thanks for the info

[@davesdecals4690]

Better to hire a professional that has high end equipment that can print fine details.

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

The cost comparison is unmatchable. Ill deal with some imperfections to save $40-$50.