Home Made Decals
09-30-2002, 03:27 AM
#26
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Home Made Decals
All sign shops have the vinyl that professionals use in cutting graphics.
Most sign shops throw out "scraps" that are suitable for use as material for cutting graphics.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they would give anyone asking a bunch of unwanted stock or scraps. In fact, they would probably be glad to save some if you asked.
I save my scraps and leftovers and bring them to my club meetings. I also give scraps away to anyone that sends me a SASE, preferably the larger ones.
Using this material is actually easier than one would think. The colored vinyl is attached to a waxed paper called the "backing paper". One could use a #11 blade and cut the color without cutting through the backing paper.
After cutting you would do what is called "weeding." Removing the unwanted material and leaving the graphic or lettering.
The "do it your selfers" can use 2" masking tape as the "transfer" application tape. Simply apply the 2" tape (couple of overlaped rows if the graphic is larger than the tape) over the graphic. Press down or "squeege" using a credit card or a body filler aplicator. Remove the tape pulling all vinyl, which is now the graphic or lettering, from the waxed backing paper and simply apply it to the model. Press down gently if over open areas then remove the tape leaving the color vinyl in place.
Layering this same method allows multi colored graphics or lettering. Scraps, drawing tools and a little imagination can make a big difference when finishing a model.
What I just explained is really easy to do and the best part is you pay for vertually nothing.
I hope this is of some help. Go get creative!
Charles
Most sign shops throw out "scraps" that are suitable for use as material for cutting graphics.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they would give anyone asking a bunch of unwanted stock or scraps. In fact, they would probably be glad to save some if you asked.
I save my scraps and leftovers and bring them to my club meetings. I also give scraps away to anyone that sends me a SASE, preferably the larger ones.
Using this material is actually easier than one would think. The colored vinyl is attached to a waxed paper called the "backing paper". One could use a #11 blade and cut the color without cutting through the backing paper.
After cutting you would do what is called "weeding." Removing the unwanted material and leaving the graphic or lettering.
The "do it your selfers" can use 2" masking tape as the "transfer" application tape. Simply apply the 2" tape (couple of overlaped rows if the graphic is larger than the tape) over the graphic. Press down or "squeege" using a credit card or a body filler aplicator. Remove the tape pulling all vinyl, which is now the graphic or lettering, from the waxed backing paper and simply apply it to the model. Press down gently if over open areas then remove the tape leaving the color vinyl in place.
Layering this same method allows multi colored graphics or lettering. Scraps, drawing tools and a little imagination can make a big difference when finishing a model.
What I just explained is really easy to do and the best part is you pay for vertually nothing.
I hope this is of some help. Go get creative!
Charles
10-06-2002, 12:02 PM
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ALPS printers-they've been DISCONTINUED-for a LONG time now!
Dear Fellow RCU-ers:
The PIPE here-and sorry to inform "heavy date" and others in this thread that MIGHT be interested in getting an ALPS printer-THEY WERE DISCONTINUED OVER A YEAR AGO, and it looks like they will NOT be coming back!
Even the dry ink ribbons these printers used are getting harder and HARDER to find...and that's an even HARDER blow to take as the ALPS printers were the ONLY ones that could print in WHITE!
So. for making one's own decals, it's "back to the white background" decal paper for any color schemes needing white in them!
BUT-I've been looking at really high-quality color printers for a while now (still do NOT have one), and the Epson Stylus Photo line is looking better and BETTER for my eventual color printing needs-it's just that I'm going to have a big DEBT LOAD
for about another year, so any new printers will HAVE TO WAIT for that long before I can purchase one!
The Epson Stylus Photo printers use an "archival" ink formula in them that's supposed to be HIGHLY resistant to color fading in sunlight-and since I'd like to have "larger format" printing capability available to me, the Epson Stylus Photo 1280 looks like the printer I'll be looking to pick up toward the end of next year!
Doing up instrument faces for WW I aircraft and MANY other capabilities will be well within the realm of possibilities for the Stylus Photo 1280-and that surely includes color inkjet DECALS for any needs I might have!
So, I'm, VERY sorry to report the DEMISE of the entire ALPS printer line...but that happened back over a year ago, so think about those Epson Stylus Photo printers, and their fade-RESISTANT color inks instead!
Yours Sincerely,
The PIPE!
The PIPE here-and sorry to inform "heavy date" and others in this thread that MIGHT be interested in getting an ALPS printer-THEY WERE DISCONTINUED OVER A YEAR AGO, and it looks like they will NOT be coming back!
Even the dry ink ribbons these printers used are getting harder and HARDER to find...and that's an even HARDER blow to take as the ALPS printers were the ONLY ones that could print in WHITE!
So. for making one's own decals, it's "back to the white background" decal paper for any color schemes needing white in them!
BUT-I've been looking at really high-quality color printers for a while now (still do NOT have one), and the Epson Stylus Photo line is looking better and BETTER for my eventual color printing needs-it's just that I'm going to have a big DEBT LOAD
for about another year, so any new printers will HAVE TO WAIT for that long before I can purchase one!The Epson Stylus Photo printers use an "archival" ink formula in them that's supposed to be HIGHLY resistant to color fading in sunlight-and since I'd like to have "larger format" printing capability available to me, the Epson Stylus Photo 1280 looks like the printer I'll be looking to pick up toward the end of next year!
Doing up instrument faces for WW I aircraft and MANY other capabilities will be well within the realm of possibilities for the Stylus Photo 1280-and that surely includes color inkjet DECALS for any needs I might have!
So, I'm, VERY sorry to report the DEMISE of the entire ALPS printer line...but that happened back over a year ago, so think about those Epson Stylus Photo printers, and their fade-RESISTANT color inks instead!
Yours Sincerely,
The PIPE!
10-06-2002, 01:17 PM
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Printing Decals
Pipe,
Would you kindly E me at: [email protected]
I would like to talk to you about decal paper and other related stuff. OK? OK!
Charles
Would you kindly E me at: [email protected]
I would like to talk to you about decal paper and other related stuff. OK? OK!
Charles
10-07-2002, 02:34 PM
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No More Alps?
As far as I know, the Alps MD 5000 is still being made. As for ribbons, Staples carries them, They just delivered 4 sets of color and 5 white ribbons to my house last week. The gent I refered to before Tango Papa is an Alps ribbon dealer.
So far I have not had any trouble finding ribbons for my 1300 series.
I sure hope that I will be able to get ribbons for some time to come as this works so well.
Hans
So far I have not had any trouble finding ribbons for my 1300 series.
I sure hope that I will be able to get ribbons for some time to come as this works so well.
Hans
10-07-2002, 08:19 PM
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YEP-the ALPS printers ARE NO MORE...
Dear Heavy Date:
The PIPE here again-and yes FOR CERTAIN, the ALPS printers are NO LONGER BEING MADE-although I'm at a loss where your local Staples store found some to sell (perhaps at a warehouse clearance somewhere?)
It HAS been rumored that Okidata may have bought the patents that ALPS had, that covered the process those "dry ink" printers used-but so far, I haven't heard ANYTHING about Okidata making "dry ink" printers as yet-if they ever will!
You might be able to get supplies for those for a short while to come...but you might be lining up before long for white background decal paper to use with a future Epson Stylus Photo printer like I'm seriously thinking of getting, once my car is paid off...
!
Sorry for the bad news-but they've been off the market for a WHILE now!
Yours Sincerely,
The PIPE!
The PIPE here again-and yes FOR CERTAIN, the ALPS printers are NO LONGER BEING MADE-although I'm at a loss where your local Staples store found some to sell (perhaps at a warehouse clearance somewhere?)
It HAS been rumored that Okidata may have bought the patents that ALPS had, that covered the process those "dry ink" printers used-but so far, I haven't heard ANYTHING about Okidata making "dry ink" printers as yet-if they ever will!
You might be able to get supplies for those for a short while to come...but you might be lining up before long for white background decal paper to use with a future Epson Stylus Photo printer like I'm seriously thinking of getting, once my car is paid off...
!Sorry for the bad news-but they've been off the market for a WHILE now!
Yours Sincerely,
The PIPE!
10-08-2002, 01:09 AM
#31
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Home Made Decals
You can buy wax ribbons for the ALPS MD1000 directly from Roland Digital (www.rolanddga.com) or from www.signwarehouse.com.
I think Roland bought the ALPS line as their PC60, PC600 and PC12 thermal resin/wax printer/cutters have print heads that are visually identical to the ALPS. I believe ALPS originally made the printer/cutters for Roland.
I have been to Rolands' Tech school for the PC600 and PC12 (which I own). They won't confirm/deny the above but do say the wax ribbons are the same and will work. The code numbers are the same and I have tried them in both machines (I also have the MD1000).
If you have a CompUSA near you, ask for ALPS ribbons. They have been clearancing them for some time now. I lucked into the one in Fresno, Ca. 4-5 months ago and bought all the ribbons they had for the MD1000 at .87 each! Picked up a few more last week In Santa Barbara.
I think Roland bought the ALPS line as their PC60, PC600 and PC12 thermal resin/wax printer/cutters have print heads that are visually identical to the ALPS. I believe ALPS originally made the printer/cutters for Roland.
I have been to Rolands' Tech school for the PC600 and PC12 (which I own). They won't confirm/deny the above but do say the wax ribbons are the same and will work. The code numbers are the same and I have tried them in both machines (I also have the MD1000).
If you have a CompUSA near you, ask for ALPS ribbons. They have been clearancing them for some time now. I lucked into the one in Fresno, Ca. 4-5 months ago and bought all the ribbons they had for the MD1000 at .87 each! Picked up a few more last week In Santa Barbara.
10-14-2002, 12:02 AM
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Yep. ROLAND looks like they've got the ALPS tech...but at FIVE GRAND per printer???
Dear Dick T.:
The PIPE Here again-and I did some checking on the Internet and by phone on the Roland PC-12 "ColorCAMM" printer you spoke of, and it sure looks like the ALPS printer's been "resurrected" to some degree there!
It CAN print with the same technology as the ALPS printers, even with white ribbon wax ink-NICE-but when I found out one of those ColorCAMM printers went for NEW, I almost dropped the telephone...
...at $5,000 apiece???????
to THAT elevated price I'd HAVE to say...
perhaps when I win the LOTTERY some day, THEN I could afford one of THOSE...and that's about ALL!
Sorry, but the Epson Stylus Photo 1280 at $400 is MUCH more reasonable, and in MY price range...perhaps NOT for now, as I still have a year's worth of CAR payments left-but AFTER then, the Epson will get MY pick!
Yours Sincerely,
The PIPE!
The PIPE Here again-and I did some checking on the Internet and by phone on the Roland PC-12 "ColorCAMM" printer you spoke of, and it sure looks like the ALPS printer's been "resurrected" to some degree there!
It CAN print with the same technology as the ALPS printers, even with white ribbon wax ink-NICE-but when I found out one of those ColorCAMM printers went for NEW, I almost dropped the telephone...
...at $5,000 apiece???????
to THAT elevated price I'd HAVE to say...
perhaps when I win the LOTTERY some day, THEN I could afford one of THOSE...and that's about ALL!
Sorry, but the Epson Stylus Photo 1280 at $400 is MUCH more reasonable, and in MY price range...perhaps NOT for now, as I still have a year's worth of CAR payments left-but AFTER then, the Epson will get MY pick!
Yours Sincerely,
The PIPE!
05-13-2003, 02:45 AM
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Home Made Decals
I remember back about twenty years ago Popular Mechanics ran an article on how to make home made decals. I remember one of the ingredients was an item called "Sarges Dope" not a drug but an actual decopauge product. You could take a photo from a magazine, coat it with the mixture, let dry, then cut it out, soak it in water and apply to the item you wanted a decal on.
05-22-2003, 03:54 PM
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SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME OUT PLEASE....
WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WERE I COULD GET DECALS THAT ARE THE RIGHT SIZE AND ALL FOR THE EAMS S-3 VIKING, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AND LOOKING AND I CANNOT GET ANY HELP WITH THIS AT ALL, SOMEONE OUT THERE HAS GOT TO KNOW HOW I CAN GET THESE, THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP.....
05-23-2003, 11:27 AM
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Re: Re: Great Info
Originally posted by DanSavage
General Dynamics WB-57N: Tail markings all inkjet decals.
General Dynamics WB-57N: Tail markings all inkjet decals.
05-24-2003, 02:36 AM
#37
Home Made Decals
Dickeybird,
Here you go.
I found a jpeg on Google then traced the image edges in Photoshop and saved it as a bitmap. I ran a raster to vector conversion using WinTopo, traced it in TurboCad and saved it as a DXF.
Here you go.
I found a jpeg on Google then traced the image edges in Photoshop and saved it as a bitmap. I ran a raster to vector conversion using WinTopo, traced it in TurboCad and saved it as a DXF.
05-25-2003, 02:32 PM
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decals
So, after reading all this information. Would it be possible fo rme to get some plain ol clear sticky back decal paper from a local office supply and print my decal onto it with my epson stylus 880 inkjet printer??????? I am not out for flawless perfection I am just looking for inexpensive stand-off scale looking decals.
Thanks
CadFlyer
Thanks
CadFlyer
05-27-2003, 06:16 AM
#40
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Home Made Decals
Schwoop,
that's the way I do it too. But I dont make the decals by myself. You can also get a worn look of the decals. After the decal has dried apply a thin layer of clear coat. Then use a rather rough polishing paste and rub away most of the clear coat and parts of the deca. Finally clear coat again. See the NO STEP below.
that's the way I do it too. But I dont make the decals by myself. You can also get a worn look of the decals. After the decal has dried apply a thin layer of clear coat. Then use a rather rough polishing paste and rub away most of the clear coat and parts of the deca. Finally clear coat again. See the NO STEP below.
05-28-2003, 11:06 AM
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Home Made Decals
Here you can find a few from the Belgium army.
http://www.aerobel.be/indekijker/2002/joint_event_2002/
Greetings
Tom
http://www.aerobel.be/indekijker/2002/joint_event_2002/
Greetings
Tom
