Tried this for the first time recently, and it seemed to work great.
I used an HP 245 photosmart printer. Makes great 4x6 prints from my digital camera so I thought I would give it a try. Bought the Testors decal paper I found in the small hobby section of my local superstore. Scanned the images with a HP 750xi printer scanner and copier. 300 DPI for most decals seems to be a good resolution. I saved my projects as a bit map file in paint brush so I could adjust the color later. I then transferred the file to a “MWorks” program because it has a built in scale which comes close to the same size as the ruler I used to measure the decals I was replacing from the original kit. I then fixed the colors and exact features in Paint Brush. Paint brush seems to work well and I like the zoom feature to adjust all the pixels and colors. I suppose you could also use photoshop if you have it. I then cut the Testors paper in to the proper size for the printer by using some of the prebought photo paper for the machine from HP. If you use the sharpest setting on the printer the colors and definition seems to be good for most scales. Let the ink dry on the paper for at least 2 to 3 hours in dry non humid conditions. I then use a coat of dullcoat on the sheet. The colors ran on the sheet ever so slightly when I picked it up, so I suggest leaving it laying flat till the top coat drys.
Too apply I used the same method as always but used liberal amounts of Microscale decal solvant because the decals are just a tad thicker than kit decals. Thicker is definately better for bigger decals so I’m not complaining about that. The results are below. Also a Pic of the project the homemade decals are going on.
ok I’m sold!!! I’ve been checking out that testors system for awhile now… I am just imagining some WWII bomber nose art printed from a scan instead of the cheap replicas most AM decals seem to put out…
thanks for the pics! other people said they have done it but your pics helped show me!!!
I’m was going to try this for some custom unit codes.serials ona hurricane I’m building. Looks good, nice to see it works.
I am trying to print Photoshop-generated decal artwork onto Micro-mark clear decal paper (#82272) for inkjet printers. I am using an HP Photosmart 1215 printer with new HP ink cartridges and “fresh” paper (purchased within the last 2 months). I adjusted the
Print Set-up for “Transparency” and “Best” quality, as recommended in the decal paper instructions.
The artwork comes out great when I print to regular coated paper as a “proof”, but then on the decal paper the printing comes out with a crinkly or micro-mud-crack type pattern
(most noticable with black) which essentially ruins the decal.
Have you run into this problem before? Any suggestions for solving it would be greatly appreciated!
I used the clear paper too and didn’t have the problem Try seeting ti to Inkjet glossy paper or even just inkjet paper and see if it helps. Sounds like too much ink is being applied in the transparency setting. Note that I did have a different printer though.
Hi CT-Ken,
It sounds like the printer is putting too much ink on the decal paper and/or it’s drying too fast?
Have you tried printing the decals on the decal paper with the printer set for either coated paper or glossy, photo quality paper?
To jridge:
Thanks much for your suggestion! I tried it and it worked GREAT! I don’t know if mine is a common problem with home-made decals, but ignoring the advise of the Micro-Mark decal-sheet instructions and setting the printer for glossy photo paper solved the problem of the crinkle-pattern decals and produced a perfect sheet.
Glad I was able to help.
Be careful using setting solutions. My decals printed on my Epson Stylus Color 600 won’t tolerate it — causes the ink to run. I’ve tried acrylic and laquer sealers w/o success.
I’ve had good luck using CopyMax to copy my decals on thier laser copiers. Do a search on my id and “decals” for the threads.
I’m about to try my own decals, hope they come out good.