decals/road signs

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

i want to design/print my own road signs an decals whats the easy an cheapest way to do it thanks

2

One technique I heard was to print road signs off on card stock, paint the back silver, cut them out, and glue them to posts. I haven’t done it yet myself, but it sure seems easier than dealing with decals.

3

For road signs I use cardstock. My old inkjet printer seems to do this sort of thing very well. For the No Parking sign, I backed it with aluminum foil so the reverse side has a metallic finish. The signs in the windows and the overhanging sign on this miniature LHS were printed on cardstock.

I print decals on that printer, too. I enjoy finding old ads online. You can get nice clean results by applying decals to a smooth, glossy surface like a train, or you can get a ratty weathered look by applying them to a rough, dull brick face:

4

I print mine on photo paper & color the back with a silver sharpie.

Here is the link.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/146639/1627708.aspx#1627708

Stop sign

RR Crossing 3 tracks

Speed limit sign

5

I have never used this this Testers product,but I am going to give it a try. Most of the signs I am using are actual billboard photos reduced down and placed on photographic paper. If anyone has used the Testor’s product, please chime up.

Larry

http://www.testors.com/product/0/9198/_/Custom_Decal_System

6

Printable decal material is available for laser and inkjet (more work needed with this material). This <link> is for information puposes (have never used the product nor ordered from them).

Signs and billboards are easily handled on cardstock or heavy wgt. paper (ink jet printers are good a this). Somewhere I read that you can lightly sand the back of the paper to thin it a bit. But it you want to conform to textured surfaces (such as brick), decals would be the way to go. (Don’t forget the setting liquids or dull-cote)

7

One thing I tried was to print the signs on paper and glue them to a flattened aluminum can (that I was using to create some other details). The result was a very thin sign with a realistic metal backside. Unfortunately I don’t have any close-up pictures.

Ricky Keil