Making decals

[Gajman]

Hi,

I've managed to create the items I want printed, print them on to decal paper and have coated the result with Microscale liquid decal film.

I use an inkjet printer.

However, the ink still comes off when I soak it off the backing sheet. The decal comes off okay, but when I press it down to dry it in place, it looks like the entire layer of decal film comes off and the ink of the decal follows soon after.

Has anyone got any hints or tips?

I have emailed Paul at Parkes decals and hopefully I can get them printed professionally but it is frustrating that I can't do it.

Has anyone made their own decals successfully using an inkjet printer?

Thanks

Gary

[Hypnobear]

How long did you let the ink dry before putting on the Microscale liquid film? That might have something to do with it.

[Andy Mullen]

Quick query - is the decal paper definitely for Inkjet?

I have successfully used both White and Clear Experts-Choice® Decal Film for Inkjets.

I print at 600dpi and then leave to dry for at least 24 hours at room temp (19^oC). Once dry I coat with at least 2 coats of Microscale Liquid Decal film. What I have noted is when you cut too close to the printed decal on the clear film, and soak there has been some seepage.

Printed on White film and cut close to the edge, with no seepage.

Printed on Clear film

They were printed on to Expert Choice's Clear Decal film using an HP Deskjet 5650 in Photo mode. They were set aside for a day then I sprayed a light coating of Microscale Decal film over the markings, and after an hour brushed on a thicker coating. I made 3 copies of the markings and used about half of them. I found if you cut too close to the markings then the ink will leak out when you dip them in water. The Decal film dries thin enough to allow you not have to cut up to the markings though. The remaining stencils were from the CAM Hi-Viz Data sheets #72-012.

[Giorgio N]

I use the same decal paper as Andy, and managed to get good results (although not with designs as complicated as these).

I alway leave the ink to dry for at least a day before coating with microscale liquid film. I recently started to coat the whole decal first with an enamel based spray clear paint with a very light coat. After another 24 hours I coat with the microscale product. I also always use 2 coats of liquid decal film rather than one. Might result in a thicker decal, but it prevents seepage better.

Andy, those VF-2 insignia are GREAT ! How did you print them ? I'm particularly interested in the yellow and yellow-shaded lettering: did you print on clear paper or on white ?

Giorgio

[perry]

I spray my decals with Humbrol gloss or satin varnich, then a coat of Klear - no problems yet

[leader3]

I spray my decals with Humbrol gloss or satin varnich, then a coat of Klear - no problems yet

i spray my decals paper with halfords clear lacquer and leave to dry for 24 hours.

[Gajman]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, your techniques have been noted and I'll work through all of them until I get a method that works.

Nakajima15, I let the ink dry for about 36 hours.

AndyM, yes, the paper is for inkjet printers. Those decals of yours look really good by the way and thanks for the PM.

I have ordered some new paper as admittedly I can't remember how long ago it was that I bought the sheets I have, so maybe they've passed their expiry date?

I have just come back from Basingstoke where I bought some Humbrol Varnish which I've sprayed on and will see how that works.

I do remember when I first started making decals that I was successful and thinking back to it I used to use Humbrol varnish then. I switched to the Microscale stuff after I ruined a sheet of Syhart tiger meet decals with the Humbrol varnish which just ate away at the Syhart decals.

Once again, thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

Gary

Edited February 24, 2010 by Gajman