Anyone done Homemade Decals?

[Gadro]

This might have been posted before, if so

I'm wondering if anyone has made their own at home and what the results were like. I'm thinking along the lines of Photoshop or MS Publisher along with an inkjet printer and some decal paper. Then spraying with a laquer to seal

I know we have Gil on the site but it really interests me if anyone has attempted to have a go themselves.

Found two sites that might be helpful

http://www.decalgear.com

http://www.decalpapers.com/

Any thoughts or examples?

 

[chrisv40]

Havent tried this myself but i have considered it, how are you going to get the correct font etc or are you going to use scans?

 

[dyna-ti]

I was thinking along the lines of some blue peter sticky backed plastic and a scalpel

 

[Skeelsie]

I've done it on white self adhesive vinyl with an inkjet printer, lacquer over the top with pretty damn good results.

I used Adobe Illustrator, I wouldn't be too keen on the flexibility of Microsoft programs to achieve much as they aren't really full on packages.

Freeware like gimp or trial Adobe suites will yield better results.

 

[Anthony]

I believe that Gil uses a tougher material that doesn't need to be lacquered over and has a 5-7 year life. He reckons that's better because decals are bound to get damaged and if they're lacquered over they can't be removed without making a mess.

I think OrangeRetro and Jones both seem to be able to make their own decals, but I don't know how.

How do you make a flat image of something that is wrapped around a tube? And how do you avoid end-middle distortion in a close-up pic of something a foot long?

 

[The Ken]

This is a UK site for getting decal paper from...

http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/pr ... otCatID=14

I think ZigZag(I could be wrong) on here did some nice rockshox decals using the paper and laquer method.

 

[zigzag]

Wasn't me that did the Rockshox decals TK, I've only gone as far as designing some decals for my Rockhopper in Inkscape - have been emailing Gil about printing them for me.

Having said all that, handy link - I do like the idea of giving it a whirl myself.

 

[Lysander]

I used the rub on decal paper from Crafty- it has quite a thick carrier film, so it's not that great. The waterslide decal paper may be better, but I haven't tried it yet.

I use Adobe Illustrator and InDesign- ye can indeed use the 30 day trial versions from adobe downloads.

Ye might find http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/

and http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/ handy too.

 

[OrangeRetro]

I made the decals for my Kula.. see my signature..

They were made from white water slide decal paper, reproduced using catalog images and Corel Draw, and then printed using a laser printer (a rather expensive one at work). You can't print water slide paper with an ink jet with out lacquering it before application as the print will just wash off..

It took ages but it was quite satisfying once done..

 

[boy"O"boy]

This might have been posted before, if so

I'm wondering if anyone has made their own at home and what the results were like. I'm thinking along the lines of Photoshop or MS Publisher along with an inkjet printer and some decal paper. Then spraying with a laquer to seal

I know we have Gil on the site but it really interests me if anyone has attempted to have a go themselves.

Found two sites that might be helpful

http://www.decalgear.com

http://www.decalpapers.com/

Any thoughts or examples?

Did exactly what your thinking with the decals for my orange/white fade Aluminium "O" ( now owned by flibble).
Graphic reproduced in photoshop as JPEG. Laser copied onto waterslip paper (thanks to orangeretro for the link! ) and lacquered into final finish.
The only downside was that the solid orange appeared transparent and had to have white vinyl put underneath. It was quite easily damaged too... see the 'flower' used to hide a 5p sized mark.
This technique has not worked well with polished surfaces though I'm currently experimenting with my 'elite' decals.
Decals on the 'stealth' O were on orange vinyl cut.

Here's some pics.

Cheers,
boy"O"boy