LOOKING FOR A SOURCE FOR WATER SLIDE DECALS

I purchased the paper off amazon & print it myself. Here are a couple I did this past week. If you have a printer, it isn't a big deal.

Thanks for the info !

Bob, I also make my own decals and print them on water-slide decal paper; I get my paper from Micro-Mark. This thread shows some of the decals I have done, most of which I made myself.

But any time I want to purchase ready-to-use decals, I just go on eBay > Toys and Hobbies >Model Railroads > O Gauge, and search for "decal".  There are a lot for sale.

I also really like the decals made by Highball Graphics, they are a little eccentric on which railroads they have decals for, but many of them are pretty cool, little-known flags, and the quality is superb.

david

Really nice job, RogerPete.  They look great!

Thanks Matt-

They're not perfect, but then again, I'm not modeling for the Smithsonian either... 

I am in the dark here. What is involved in making your own decals. Do you need a certain type of printer, paper and program???................Paul

Bob:

I've used Stan Cedarleaf (Cedarleaf Custom Railroad Decals) in the past. Great customer service....very happy what he's done for me.

Hi Paul-

Depending on the printer you have, you purchase water slide decal paper for either a laser or ink jet. Follow the directions on the paper, watch plenty of youtube videos & enjoy. It is a little intimidating, but fun after you do a few. Practice on some junkers.

Just cant print white lettering. Otherwise does well. If using ink jet you must seal the top with acrylic spray over the printing BEFORE putting in water, if color laser no overcoat needed. 

I started using a system that does do printing in whites using a white film coating A TYPE OF DRY FILM--works pretty well, just can't do real small lettering and it is delicate until affixed and over coated. There are companies that do custom work but can be expensive

For white lettering, buy the white decal paper. To letter a locomotive, I blocked out in black, leaving the print area in white. So cut out the black square & you got your white lettering.

Biggest challenge with light or white lettering is matching the surrounding color to what you are applying them to. I just did some N&W decals (found great fonts that are a dead match), and had to print/coat about 3-4 times to get the surrounding color close enough to my paint so it isn't an obvious problem. Color on the screen and color printed aren't always that close. Fortunately, white decal paper is not that expensive, about $1/8 by 11 inch sheet. I buy from decalpaper.com. Make sure you specify ink jet or laser paper depending on the printer you have. I'm using a Canon all in one ink jet and the results and resolution is great.

Jim Waterman

Try Railgraphics   These are custom decals done for one of my projects.

Bob,

I also use decal paper to make water slide decals.   It is really easy to do.  You can use whatever graphics program you like or find an image you like and print the decal paper.  Note - the decal paper is different for ink-jet vs laser.  Read up on using the paper on your type printer.  Also, if you don't already know how to apply and finish water slide decals there is plenty of info available.

My first attempt using this method was for a project to repaint and re-letter 2 diesels into LIRR lettering and colors.  I was amazed how easy the whole process was and the end result was great. ( and using the words great and results are not something I can often say about my projects).

The only downside is you can't print "white".  

Thanks,

Ed

Hi ED, Just wondering for white lettering, have you tried printing with a black back drop with white lettering?