White decal paper

[Master Zen]

I bought some white inject paper from Crafty's a while back but i found the white to be rather transparent. Can anybody point me to some white decal paper where the white is really white?

Thanks

[mollythedog]

Possibly not helpful,but I too bought several sheets of this white decal paper-recently. I have had considerable problems getting the colour correct when using the decal paper-yet when test printed onto good quality photo inkjet paper for test runs the colours were spot on.I do all my own artwork,so can adjust colours,but have yet to get a med/dark grey that doesn't appear mauve in tone.It needs careful handling,several coats of varnish,and the dreaded dust particles ruin about 40% of an A4 sheet.

I intended to go with Bare metal foil experts choice,but their archaic US only ordering system put me off.I'll have to get someone over there,with a US zip code to order for me. Perhaps you could try them too......

HTH

Canon Pixma 2600 photo printer,Canon cartridges.

[Notdoneyet]

I intended to go with Bare metal foil experts choice,but their archaic US only ordering system put me off.I'll have to get someone over there,with a US zip code to order for me. Perhaps you could try them too......

I ordered some decal film from the Bare Metal Foil Website on Thursday and their ordering system now accepts non US addresses.

HTH,

Ian

[little-cars]

For referance

I sell the BMF inkjet and laser decal papers in the UK.

£2.50 a sheet.

Always have it with me at shows.

[Giorgio N]

The BMF white paper is good, it is really white. Testors decal paper is good too, although I think the BMF is better. Don't know where to find testors in the UK, while I bought my BMF from little-cars.

[mollythedog]

The BMF white paper is good, it is really white. Testors decal paper is good too, although I think the BMF is better. Don't know where to find testors in the UK, while I bought my BMF from little-cars.

Nice to know that you had good results-is there any way of avoiding dust after the varnish coat goes on?

If I were in the UK I'd order from LC but as I have several contacts in the US and have to pay postage anyway I'll give them a try first.Perhaps I'll pick some up at Telford too.

As an aside,I was at SMW last year for both days,and the only place I really bought anything was at LC,they have some really good tools on sale.....

[Giorgio N]

If I understand correctly you have problems with dust on the varnish cover ? What kind of varnish do you use ? I sometimes had this problem when using spray varnish on top.Actually I use a spray "plastic" coat more than a varnish, as it's the most waterproof thing I found. And it dries quickly.

I had dust captured in when I spraid the coating outdoor, as the spray lifts dust from the ground. When I use it indoor I have little problems. Of course I always let the decal dry in a closed space to avoid capturing dust, the same as I do when I spray enamels with my airbrush.

An alternative is to use microscale decal film, this dries so quickly that hardly any dust has time to collect on the decal. Can be airbrushed or handbrushed. I handbrush only, as it doesn't seem affected by any brush mark.

With both methods, I always coat only the decals I'm using, I never coat the whole sheet. I suspect that trying to varnish the whole sheet results in more varnish then required being spraied, so that it takes longer to dry. Of course if you have big arts that require to be coated in one go, there's no other alternative.

Sorry, didn't realise you weren't in the UK ! I have to say LC posted to me in Italy no problem when I bought the paper, if the US route doesn't work I'm sure they can post to france.

[mollythedog]

Hi Giorgio,

Yes,they are quite big artworks,4-5 will fit an A4,and yes, I am spraying the whole sheet. Once printed,I leave 24 hours in a closed shoe box.I have used both Micro Mark decal varnish and Halfords clear auto varnish.Both work,though the Halfords stuff seems slightly more prone to cracking along the cut edge using scissors. Decal worked without the ink running. what make are you using?

Only route to obtain the varnishes appears to be ordering in US/UK if you have an address to send them to,then forwarding on from there.Same for Hannants paint-they won't ship it outside UK,So I have to pay twice-postage in UK and then France,and I had to order a kit to go with it......fine except I already have a house full of kits.

Laid them directly onto a surface already coated 4 times in Kleer,and used Kleer to seal whilst still wet.Worked fine,except that Kleer discolours Humbrol paint quite a bit.

Cheers

mollythedog

[Giorgio N]

Yeah, having chemicals delivered through airmail is unfortunately a different story. Otherwise testors own stuff could be ordered. It is a spray varnish specifically designed to seal in decals made with inkjets. Have to say that after I read all the potential health issues mentioned on the can I was quite worried though..

I use a product called Goisa Gel Plastic spray. It's manufactured in Italy and might be that it can't be found in France. However I'm sure similar products can be found. It's used mainly to lay a plastic film on fabric and papers. You might try in a DIY shop, they sure have somehing similar. What I like about this product is that it seals the artwork well, is neutral in tone (no matt or gloss effect) and also has UV protection properties.

Regarding the dust issue, I keep my decals in a closet to dry. I'd avoid keeping them in a cardboard box,as cardboard tends to collect dust that might then end on the sheet.

I also have to say that now that I have to buy a new printer, I'm quite tempted to try a laser one o avoid all the coating issues. Most big computer shops have these for around 100 euro now, and some can be had for less. The cost of the toner is still quite high unfortunately, so much that buying a new printer is cheaper than replacing 2 cartridges.