I want to print out my own decals on “white” decal paper on my inkjet printer at home. I see Walthers sells both a testors custom decal system 704-9198 for $9.25 and paper 704-9202 for $9.99.
They also sell a starter system 768-5000 from Vitachrome Graphics for $26.95. Does anyone have any experience with either one?
I need decals for my Barsol chemical trucks I just painted.
I’ve used the Testors decal paper and bonder which is designed for ink jet printers. I didn’t buy the kit because the software and designs are primarily aimed at the model car market. If you have a photo quality printer, use the setup for printing photos for the best reproduction of your image and lettering. You get a lot more of the product if you buy the paper and bonder spray separate rather than the kit.
Probably a bit of overkill, but after I print the decals, I let the ink dry for a day before applying the bonder spray, then allow that to dry at least a day before cutting and applying the decal.
I agree with Tom. Get the paper and sealer instead of the kit.
I use paper called “Experts’ Choice” which I pick up at a hobby shop. My Local Train Shop doesn’t carry it. The LTS, though, has Microscale’s Liquid Decal Film, which is a paint-on sealer. They also have Micro-Set which helps when applying the decals, and Micro-Sol which is very good for making the decal settle into uneven spots in your model like access doors, etc.
I think all the paper manufacturers are pretty much the same, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they all buy from the same factory, anyway. Make sure you get the right paper (inkjet or laser) for your printer.
Like Tom, I give my decals a long time to dry before I seal them.
Hobby Lobby has the decal needs. With the weekly coupon you can save $. Look in the model car area by the paint.
I didn’t know they had make your own decal stuff there. thanks.
I bought the Testors kit at Wal-Mart a few years ago for about $7. Never used the software, but designed decals in Powerpoint and printed them. It was a great way to learn. Here is a picture with sone of my first results:
Micro-Mark has decal paper for laser and ink jet printers in packages of 5, 25 and 100 8-1/2x11 sheets and both clear and white paper. They also have a “Try-It kit” for both laser and ink jet which includes a sample of clear & white paper and fixative spray.
http://www.micromark.com/SearchResult.aspx?deptIdFilter=0&searchPhrase=decal+paper
When comparing prices, be sure to take the paper size and number of sheets into account. MicroMark has 8-1/2x11 paper in 5, 25 and 100 sheet packages, Testors has 8-1/2x5-1/2 paper in 6 a sheet package. Looking at the back of MicroMark and Testors papers, they seem to be the same. They probably buy in bulk from the same manufacturer and repackage for sale.
I bought paper from “Bel” in Florida. They are on line, and that is how I ordered. Tremendous success with their paper. I use a Hewlett Packard office jet, and have printed multi-colour decals on white paper, as well as using black print on clear. The one thing I will say is if yo uuse an ink jet, once the ink is dry, spray either Testors dulcote or the equiv. on it. This will seal it and keep it from running after you dip it in water. Make sure you gloss coat the project before you decal it .
Rich