DIY Decals
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:56 am
Hi All,
It was suggested that I post this here, so here we go.
Firstly, let me say that I'm no expert at this, so if anyone knows a better or easier way to make your own decals please let us know.
Step 1:
Get yourself some decal paper. I went onto Ebay and did a search for, 'water slide decal paper'. I got a mixed pack of clear and white decal paper for around a fiver. Nearly forgot, make sure you get the right paper. ie inkjet or laser.
Step 2:
You will need some form of graphics program for this, I use paint shop pro, but that's just personal choice.
The decals I 'knocked up' were for my PzIV which has winter cammo, so they are white numbers on a panzer grey background using white decal paper. Basically only the background gets printed.
Step 3:
To get them printed I used microsoft word as it handles images fairly well. To place your image on a document click on, insert, picture, from file, and browse to your image. I found that my numbers were too small but that's not a problem. To resize an image in word you just click on it, then stretch it. When you're happy test print your decals on plain paper and hold them up against your tank to see if they are the right size etc.
Step 4:
Put your decal paper in your printer and click on the print button. I'm using an inkjet printer so I left my decals for a couple of hours to dry completely.
Step 5:
Because I'm using an inkjet printer I had to find a way of 'fixing' my decals to stop them running when placed in the warm water. The ebay vendor I got my paper from was also selling a 'fixing spray' which I chose not to buy. Luckily I found a tin of clear matt spray paint ( plasticote ) which worked a treat.
Step 6:
Cut out your decals, place in warm water, and put them on your tank.
The great thing about making your own decals is you can now choose your own numbers and units for your tank. My PzIV is from Guderians 2nd Panzer Armee, winter 1941/42.
Cheers
John
It was suggested that I post this here, so here we go.
Firstly, let me say that I'm no expert at this, so if anyone knows a better or easier way to make your own decals please let us know.
Step 1:
Get yourself some decal paper. I went onto Ebay and did a search for, 'water slide decal paper'. I got a mixed pack of clear and white decal paper for around a fiver. Nearly forgot, make sure you get the right paper. ie inkjet or laser.
Step 2:
You will need some form of graphics program for this, I use paint shop pro, but that's just personal choice.
The decals I 'knocked up' were for my PzIV which has winter cammo, so they are white numbers on a panzer grey background using white decal paper. Basically only the background gets printed.
Step 3:
To get them printed I used microsoft word as it handles images fairly well. To place your image on a document click on, insert, picture, from file, and browse to your image. I found that my numbers were too small but that's not a problem. To resize an image in word you just click on it, then stretch it. When you're happy test print your decals on plain paper and hold them up against your tank to see if they are the right size etc.
Step 4:
Put your decal paper in your printer and click on the print button. I'm using an inkjet printer so I left my decals for a couple of hours to dry completely.
Step 5:
Because I'm using an inkjet printer I had to find a way of 'fixing' my decals to stop them running when placed in the warm water. The ebay vendor I got my paper from was also selling a 'fixing spray' which I chose not to buy. Luckily I found a tin of clear matt spray paint ( plasticote ) which worked a treat.
Step 6:
Cut out your decals, place in warm water, and put them on your tank.
The great thing about making your own decals is you can now choose your own numbers and units for your tank. My PzIV is from Guderians 2nd Panzer Armee, winter 1941/42.
Cheers
John
