Monokote for Graphicxs and lettering? Maybe not.
There's a great thread about the use of Monokote for this purpose. The Thread inspired me to reiterate some of which I've already mentioned in Threads before, or in the past. Threads do die out or go unnoticed.
I decided to start a new Thread, on the subject of making "elements," graphicxs if you will, using Monokote. Or in this case, NOT using Monokote.
Because my approach to "do it yourself" graphicxs and lettering, is a bit different and described without the use of Monokote, it wouldn't be fare to place this approach in that particular Monokote Thread.
Also, This Thread isn't designed in any way, to "convert" those individuals, that use Monokote or any other iron-on material, for the use of art, images, graphicxs, or lettering as applied to their models.
Just another "view."
I took a look at that Video on Monokote application for "images."
Great idea.
HOWEVER, there's 5,678 guys doing model airplane graphicxs.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, I happen to be one of them. [sm=bananahead.gif]
There's also, probably 200,000 Sign shops scattered about all over the Country, in large city's and small towns.
These guys can be thought of and are assets!
So why re-invent the wheel? That is, why use Monokote for "busy" or "complicated" images when it wasn't designed for that? There's material available, in the industry, which is used just for that applied purpose. Vinyl? And it's so easy to work with.
Stuff comes in 60 or more colors, is already "backed" with an adhesive and designed with a "layer" for "weeding."
It's also easier to cut with a #11 blade than iron-on material. There's also real "Transfer" paper, which is designed to do just that. To TRANSFER images!
I've been in the Sign business for 40 years, but yes, I did images and lettering with Monokote long before I got my cutting equipment. Way back then, before my Monokote days, they, the industry, 3M actually, offered sheets of vinyl material. This stuff was 20" X 27" in size, came in primary colors only. This 3M material looked, felt and was the same stuff/vinyl, used today, which is now available in rolls. We had no cutters back then! We used a blade or scissors to cut the stuff.
About that Monokote video. Now don't get me wrong, but here's the thing, IMHO, Yes, great video, and it's fun to do, but using Monokote for images or lettering is really more work than necessary, not to mention, you still have to buy that extra stuff. Stuff that's not designed or manufactured for this purpose of use.
This is "Key." Your local Sign Shop will "give" you, for "free," yes, I said free, all the "scrap" vinyl you can carry away. And then some! In fact, once they know you want it, it takes no effort for them to save the scrap. You would be surprised at how much vinyl that actually gets tossed each and every day. Like peanut shells on the bar room floor.
I give or send my scraps away. Some of the stuff is long or large and great for images even on wings.
The stuff is there for the asking and taking. Simply go to your local Sign Shop and ask for their scraps. Every model Club has 50 members that have a cutter. Well maybe not 50, but there's certainly one or two. There's always a modeler who has a Sign Shop also. That's why we do model graphicxs. Yea, yea, some do it just for the money, obviously, and you can tell by the look of their truly "commercial" websites AND their approach to business. Nothing wrong with that. I'll say it again, Nothing wrong with that.
BUT. The local Sign Shop, I'm referring to the guy that's not a modeler BTW, the guy who does not do model airplane graphicxs, will "Give You Their Extra Vinyl." Absolutely! Even short rolls of transfer paper!
OK! Now you have all the vinyl you need. Same method as that great informative video, but your now working with, IMHO, a better choice of material, which is designed and produced for this purpose.
I started this Thread, about what I just mentioned. You may want to take a look.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_84...tm.htm#8462647
Sure, cover your models in Monokote or any other Iron-on material. Sure, use the same material for large accent areas. Works well, looks great!.
But. Just consider, using vinyl for small images and lettering. Consider?
Here's one last note that will probably take a paragraph to explain. Scanning good useable art is easy, only takes a minute or two. I don't even charge for it. Cutters are fast, really fast. So you would be surprised, as to how inexpensive some graphics or lettering can be, or maybe I should say should be.
You got 5,678 guys doing model airplane graphicxs, just kidding, but there's certainly a bunch. So shop around for price and personality. Personality is key.
I know I participate and offer whatever I can, information or material, to help modelers save time, money and to avoid the cost of this stuff.
Sound crazy? Am I crazy? Yes, Yes I am. I will always be a modeler first and a poor businessman last. That's just the way it is.
I won't even plug my website. I'm actually embarrassed by it. It's old, like me, certainly out dated and it doesn't even tell the whole story of what I offer. Does any graphicxs guy's website tell the whole story? And there are some nice ones for sure!
OK! Please take a look at the Thread I started, see link, above. It's actually about modifying the look of a great Hanger 9 Corsair using simple vinyl techniques and vinyl materials. Materials made, designed and produced for this purpose.
Hats off for those individuals that do this with Monokote. Hats off to graphicxs guys. Especially those that are modelers.
Here's my Monokote covered Waco.
Hand cut vinyl letters on top of the wing and machine/plotter cut small lettering in other areas like my AMA #. The red "4" is layered over a larger white 4, to give the outline. White lines are vinyl cut to width and length. Cowling and struts are painted. Flying wire equipped. Windshield frame is 1/32 ply with a glass cloth layer. Sports a full Pica cockpit and a leather seat. Covered this model many years ago.
Monokote rules!
Charles