Hey guys,
Anyone know the process of how to make your own decals and where to get the appropriate supplies? I’m going to need to make my own for the next 3 Apaches I’m working on and wanted to do it right.
Thanks!
I have an ALPS MD-1000, Havent tried making decals, though.
I tried the decal paper that you run through an inkjet but it failed miserably. If you don’t mind being a guinea pig, send pics and I’ll see what I can do.
Scott,
Sure! Basically I need to do the tail numbers and “United states Army” for the tailboom, plus the unit tactical identifier. Where should I send em?
Thanks!
hi cobra
have you ever thought of getting testors custom decal system. military hobbies has it for $7.95 just a thought for ya rob.[:D][:D]
Rob,
Wasn’t aware of it. I think I’ll look into it! I’ve laid out the markings for both birds I’m working on and will be able to print them off pretty easily. Of course, the floodgates have been opened and I’ve spent the past 2 hours coming up with various decals for my Apaches. Needless to say, I’ve got just about all 24 aircraft that will be profiled in my book done!
Oh well…
Hey if you want me to make the decals my ALPS prints white, silver, gold. I did a Por LeMerit decal for my apache. Came out okay. I have the appropriate fonts on my computer. Send your info to mscottholt@hotmail.com
Scott,
The decals I’ve got set up are primarily black, with some grey, yellow and red thrown in for good measure. I’ve made new markings for 8 hellfire missiles, including “US ARMY” and yellow live missile bands. The “UNITED STATES ARMY” is in two fonts, one for my D model and one for the A I’ve got almost finished. I’m going to look into Rob’s suggestion in just a minute (been busy as hell with the end of the semester and all) and I may go that route.
Doing the custom decal thing has really got me stoked. I’ve been playing around with my photo program and literally lifting nose art right off of the pics, shrinking them down to the proper size and laying them out. Just have to print them now!
Hobbylinc has it for $5.39. Just ordered it!
cobrahistorian, what kind of printer do you have? inkjet? or laser? cuz i got a testors decal system from walmart for $6 cdn and althought they say it only works with inkjet, I tried it with laser anyways and it worked perfectly. even the spray-can sealer that came with the kit worked perfectly. But the decal didn’t seem to lay down flat easily. microsol worked fine with it. I haven’t trie doing this with inkjet, since i don’t have one. since the decals i made were all just black lettering, a black and white laserjet served perfectly.
here’s a link to an article on ARC explaining the custom letters & numbers process; i basically followed this article but i only used what came with the Testors kit.
http://s96920072.onlinehome.us/tnt1/001-100/TNT045_custom-decals_Tucker/tnt045.htm
btw make sure you use the clear film when you print just black lettering cuz that’ll make life way easier when cutting them out.[;)]
I have used the Testors decal paper as well and had great success. No problems at all. that is what I used for the markings on my MH-6J Littlebird. They worked great. I have used both the clear and white paper.
I buy my decal supplies from Micro Mark, They are pretty thin and work realy well. I use an ink jet and have had great success with it. www.micromark.com