HOW TO… PART 5 ‘DIY DECAL DESIGN & PRINTING’

[@cottydry]

Best decal tutorial I've seen!! Sure wish there was an affordable solution for printing white.

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks davefr, glad you liked the tutorial. There is a new system being developed by Fantasy Printshop which looks very exciting ( no varnish layer! ) but whether it will be available for DIY decals I don't know. Printing white is certainly the 'Holy Grail'.

[@lpjmodels]

Your how to series is awesome Sera, this one however is my favorite, crammed with useful information. Thankyou !

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks James, glad you like it. I may have missed some bits. PM me if you need any help.

[@davidybarra7713]

Thanks for your fast response my question was can you use straight aluminum instead of pewter for the silicone mold s?

[@LordStimpy]

That was incredibly in depth and well thought out!

[@StaplesandVine]

Thank you. I hope you found it useful.

[@chrisformela2826]

That's really awesome and most comprehensive tutorial. Many thanks!!!!

[@StaplesandVine]

That's great Chris, glad you found it useful. 🙂

[@Sabbatheist]

Fantastic, this comprehensive guide could and should become the go to video for creating and applying your own decals..

[@StaplesandVine]

Thank you, that's a wonderful compliment. Plenty more 'How to...' videos still to come. 🙂

[@AlexNoheda]

Thank you for you video! Great work on sharing knowledge 😊

[@StaplesandVine]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy the rest of my channel. 🙂

[@BooklessT]

Enjoyed it so much I had another viewing!

[@StaplesandVine]

That's good to hear JobergRed. I hope you enjoy the rest of the channel just as much. 🙂

[@costinhadacosta8474]

Excellent tutorial ... Thanks a bunch!

[@StaplesandVine]

You're very welcome. 😎

[@cosmarendy8417]

Thanks, very informative. I learnt heaps.

[@StaplesandVine]

You're welcome, glad you found it useful. 🙂

[@skateboardingjesus4006]

Great presentation. Far more helpful and informative than any of the other videos I've seen so far. I'm a sculptor and need to print my own decals for relatively small scale figures that I cast from their original/prototype. They need to be consistent. Most videos I have viewed on the topic were next to fecking useless. Yours hit on all the important points; thanks 👍.

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks, I'm glad you found the video useful. DIY decal printing is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes it works like dream other times it's a nightmare. All the best with your projects.🙂

[@stephenbreen7570]

Thank you, fantastic video.

[@StaplesandVine]

Glad you liked the video Stephen. I hope you find the others in the series interesting too.

[@wollibar5263]

Very well done, but I had great results using a copy shop´s huge (and very expensive) Laserprinter. Vectors or pixel it does give the sharpest results - yet the non-printing-white issue remains. Thank you for sharing - looking foward to your next episode.

[@StaplesandVine]

Glad you like the video Wolli. Laser printers can produce great results but I do find the printer resolution is critical. It sounds like you have a good one at hand. I have an OKI which helps a lot with the white issue, but that's a whole new ball game of techniques to learn. All the best, Sera.

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Tip: if you only needto print a small decal, just print the design on plain A4 paper. Let it dry. Cut out a small square of decal paper, just a bit larger then the decal size. Glue the decal paper right over the decal you printed on the plain A4 sheet. Now insert this A4 into your printer ( probably the manual feed on the back of it) and print your decal. Works fine for me, using a simple Canon inktjet.

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks for that, I'll give it a try. 🙂

[@truthcossack]

This is what I call a tutorial!

[@StaplesandVine]

Thank you, plenty more to come. 🙂

[@maominiature]

Thanks for this wonderful video as always ☺️ (and especialy for Gally from battle angel alita) This will be very helpful for the company I work

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks Maogan, I'm glad you found my video useful. I am planning an Alita project in the future...

[@nogginthenog2227]

Hi Sera, another awesome tutorial. It's the best one i've seen, thanks for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge. I like to paint my markings on where ever possible and have invested in a stencil cutter which will do most of what i want but sometimes a homemade decal would be the better option so found this very useful for when i need to do that. Mike

[@StaplesandVine]

Hi Mike, thanks for the kind comments. Diy cut stencils are a great option for aircraft codes and larger markings giving a good scale finish. I've got a few more 'How To...' videos in the planning stages. Hopefully you will enjoy those too. Sera

[@yehudabrennan9420]

i guess it's pretty randomly asking but does anybody know a good website to watch new series online ?

[@gibsonabel964]

@Yehuda Brennan Flixportal :)

[@yehudabrennan9420]

@Gibson Abel thank you, I went there and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :) I really appreciate it!

[@gibsonabel964]

@Yehuda Brennan you are welcome :D

[@MarceloLGusso]

Great!

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks, glad you found the video useful. 🙂

[@jrisner1951]

Very informative

[@StaplesandVine]

Thank you, I'm glad you found it useful. 🙂

[@punkerpete]

Really enjoyed this tutorial, and found it extremely useful. One question: do you know of a comparable product here in the U.S. that performs as well as the Hycote Spray Clear Lacquer you suggest in the video?

[@StaplesandVine]

That's great I'm glad you found the video useful. I think Rustoleum / Krylon may be an equivalent in the U.S. but I would recommend carrying out a test before you commit. Let me know how you get on. 🙂

[@originalSPECTER]

Never thought about layering the white decal paper with the clear paper. White roundels like the US Navy used in the ‘50s are gonna be difficulty to do, though.

[@StaplesandVine]

You do have to get a bit creative to work around the problems I'm afraid.... 🤔

[@22763344]

Gracias por tan completa información; en mi caso tengo unas hojas de Expert Choice pero hace ya muchos años que las tuve guardadas y en estos días que las usé con dos observaciones: una es la impresión de inkjet quedó con pequeños puntos blancos pero vistos con lente de aumento o no dejan impresión de calidad, y dos, cuando las puse en la locomotora los bordes se arrollaron hacia dentro no más al usar el Micro set "azul" minuto 12:11 y no hubo forma de devolverles a su forma extendida o normal. Estoy varado y sí, las protegí con laca transparente como el ejemplo suyo despues de imprimir. Sugerencias bienvenidas. Le felicito.

[@StaplesandVine]

Gracias por tus comentarios sobre el vídeo. Los puntos que componen la impresión se pueden reducir configurando la impresora a la máxima calidad/resolución. Como puede ver, siempre es difícil lograr un resultado aceptable con colores claros, ya que dependen del blanco del papel. La curvatura de las calcomanías se puede reducir secando las calcomanías recién impresas en un radiador y luego rociando la capa de barniz. Espero que esto ayude.

[@22763344]

@@StaplesandVine Thanks a lot.

[@pablocuesta3213]

Great video!!! Can I use this method to copy a decal sheet that came in the box of any model? Thanks.

[@StaplesandVine]

Hi Pablo, glad you like the video. Technically yes you can use a kit decal as reference but be aware that their artwork is protected by copyright law.

[@banditproductions677]

Awesome video! Will definitely use this method on my future models. Though I am curious, how did you screen print your own decals? Was it as store or do you own a screen printer?

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks for the great comment, glad you like my video. I designed the decals myself and had them screen printed by a specialist decal printer. I use 'Fantasy Printshop'. Their quality is excellent. 🙂

[@richardroebuck1915]

Nice video, thanks. Can you recommend any UK based companies that can make custom decals?

[@StaplesandVine]

Fantasy Print Shop are the best in the UK but not economical for short runs.

[@mfeero]

thanks a lot for the explanation but in my country there is no available microset & microsol , is there is any are there alternatives (Mixing compounds or even home made )?

[@StaplesandVine]

Hi M Ferro, 'Microset' and 'Microsol' are the very similar to 'decal softening soultions' try searching for 'decal softener' in your country and go from there. I just use 'Pledge Revive it '. It's just trial and error to see what works best for you.

[@rafaellopez2289]

Hello I was wondering if you make custom water slide decals and print a few on a sheet.? An what would u charge for something like that?

[@StaplesandVine]

Hi Rafael, no I'm sorry that's not something that I do. The process is quite straight forward. Try 'inkpress' for yourself and have a go. 🙂

[@NorasHobbyverse]

fantastic as always! Being an American, We say it dē-kal with a hard "E" like people and a soft "a" like in mad. I've not heard it pronounced like you do so I looked it up, and apparently it's also the common way for Canadian people to say it. Just an interesting deep dive I went into because of this video.

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks Nora, you say tomato, I say tomato! 🤔

[@peng9179]

Due to the Decals being laserprint you don't need to spray them with varnish post printing or have I missed something? This video has really helped me, thank you.

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks for the comment peng917, I'm glad my video was of some help to you. These decals were all inkjet printed and as such need the varnish coat to hold them together prior to application. As you say, not a problem for laser printers but the carrier film can be quite noticeable.

[@peng9179]

@@StaplesandVine sound as a pound. Quick question, now that white toner is becoming more prevalent and cheaper. Do you think it's possible to print the white backing for the decals then put the paper through again and print the colour on top?

[@StaplesandVine]

I agree, it's logical but... Running something twice through a printer is going to have registration issues. Worse if it is 2 different printers. Also laser printers don't like to play with specialist non OEM papers. I've thought about it but I'm not willing to risk a repair bill. What's needed is a printer that lays down white first then well saturated colour, sadly we don't have a good affordable option yet.

[@itsajazzlifewithrobertpick591]

GIMP is an excellent freeware tool for creating vector images.

[@StaplesandVine]

Yes, I've heard good things about it. 🙂

[@АлександрМоргенштерн-ш1и]

офигенно полезная информация!!)

[@StaplesandVine]

Спасибо. Еще много чего впереди. Надеюсь, вам понравятся и другие мои проекты.

[@graey1139]

In an attempt to get around the inability to print white, would a extremely pale grey be a workaround? My apologies if it is a dumb question.

[@StaplesandVine]

Hi Gra ey, it's not a dumb question at all I understand your thinking. The problem is this ALL pale colours printed with an inkjet rely on the white of the paper as an element of their colour. Pale inkjet inks when printed never have the opacity to show up against non white backgrounds. I so wish someone would produce an aforadble white printer. 🙂

[@graey1139]

@@StaplesandVine Thanks for reply. I liked the tip of producing a white 'stencil' of the intended colour decals, but the thought of accurately cutting them out is daunting. I have a project in mind where I create WWII RAF decals for a F-35B Lightning, but the more I think it through, the more complicated it becomes.

[@StaplesandVine]

I think your best option would be to buy some aftermarket RAF WWII decals if you can.

[@graey1139]

@@StaplesandVine Thanks

[@SteveKran]

Are there any printers out there that you would recommend for making guitar headstock decals that include gold and silver metallic? I'm trying to find one and so far I've only come across the icolor 560, which is rather pricy.

[@StaplesandVine]

Hi Steve, I would suggest you try searching 'gold custom decals / stickers'. Outsourced these will be a way cheaper option than printing your own. You really do need specialist equipment for metalics. Hope this helps, Sera. 🙂

[@SteveKran]

@@StaplesandVine Short story, I'm needing to spend some money before I lose it and would like to get a printer that will handle these metallic decals. I'm fine with higher priced specialty equipment, I'm just not familiar with the capabilities of the different brands/models. That's why I was asking about the icolor 560. With the icolor 560, it only has 4 places for toner cartridges. If I can make black with CMY, then I can use a gold or silver toner cartridge in the last place. I think that would work...just wondering if there's a better option out there. Alps printers are tough to come by, and I'd rather have a newer technology instead of buying used.

[@StaplesandVine]

Hi Steve, the tech is moving so fast these days, which is good but hard to keep up with. Have you had a look at the DTM Print FX510e thermal foil printer? You may be able to adapt your designs to suit. Traditional decal screen printers will print metalics. Sera

[@SteveKran]

@@StaplesandVine I'm checking in out now. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Haider9499]

hi i maked my decal design bu i have problem with size i can’t size them on real diecast i tried but i can’t do that do you have way please

[@StaplesandVine]

Try printing out a few different sizes on plain paper. See how they look then adjust your sizes until you get what you want then print it on the decal paper. Small decals are much more difficult to get to the correct size. Good luck.

[@Haider9499]

@@StaplesandVine thanks alot i will try that thanks for your advice

[@anatoliipahas586]

hello friend, you make decal drawings projects on pud files. For printing on a printer.

[@StaplesandVine]

Sorry no, I don't use PUD files.

[@ZeaLDailyParanormal]

New to your channel. 👍

[@StaplesandVine]

Excellent! Dive in and enjoy 🙂.

[@ZeaLDailyParanormal]

@@StaplesandVine enjoying very much!

[@StaplesandVine]

@@ZeaLDailyParanormal please share and tell your friends, thank you. 🙂

[@pablocortez9970]

Me gusta

[@StaplesandVine]

Muchísimas gracias

[@21mozzie]

Two words for easy vector graphics: google draw

[@StaplesandVine]

Google Draw is a great piece of free software for basic decal design. For multi layer artwork for screen printing it may be a struggle. 🤔

[@scubasteved]

Never heard it pronounced “deckel” before. Good video though!

[@StaplesandVine]

Thanks scubasteved, I guess you must be American.... 🤔 Glad you like the video. 🙂

[@scubasteved]

@@StaplesandVine, I am indeed. I usually like the way the accent sounds from your side of the pond, that one though, grates on my ears. 😜 Keep up the good work.

[@StaplesandVine]

I'll bleep it out in the future... 😁

[@scubasteved]

@@StaplesandVine 🤬 😆

[@christosvolikakis1523]

What’s a “Décal”?😂

[@StaplesandVine]

I think it's the same as a 'waterslide transfer', but foreign... 🤔

[@christosvolikakis1523]

@@StaplesandVine tomato tomato 😂 just joking. Thank you for the information and making the video! I’m looking to make my own custom machine shop Dëcals three or four Color max like the warning stickers that are usually put on heavy equipment.

[@StaplesandVine]

No problem, I have a pretty wonky sense of humour. 😏😁Take a look at getting custom stickers printed. They are a great option for the workshop.

[@rog-jo1jz]

these are not decals thy are de-cals get it right

[@StaplesandVine]

Well spotted, I was hoping no one would notice...