 MrHarold  | 23 Oct 2013 7:22 p.m. PST |
Hi everyone, So, I really like decals. Almost all my vehicles get them, and I even like putting them on my man-sized figures as well. I have used them on my GZG UNSC before, and I thought they looked really nice. I picked up an inexpensive 25-pack of letter size decal paper, and with some photoshop skillz I made this logo:
Then, I had to figure out how big it needed to be. The shoulder pad of my hell divers is about 1.5 mm tall, so I settled on 1mm tall decals. I printed on the sheet with my inkjet, then I used three separate coatings (allowing each one to dry, thin coats) of the testors decal paper setting spray. Here is an 1/8th of the page I cut out:
(Next to a figure based on a penny) And, after using soaking it in water, placing micro-sol on the shoulder pad (after a gloss coat) and then using a brush to move it over, I coated it in micro-sol again and then a flat coating. This is what I ended up with:
I'm very happy with it! I don't think i'd do a million of them, but it really didn't take too long. Also, If I had it on a mini that was a vastly different color I think it would stand out even more. What do you guys think? |
| mad monkey 1 | 23 Oct 2013 7:26 p.m. PST |
I think you're right about the color. It would stand out more. But at that size wouldn't a dab of paint do the same thing? Wouldn't be as cool though… |
| MrHarold | 23 Oct 2013 7:28 p.m. PST |
I think you're right about the color. It would stand out more. But at that size wouldn't a dab of paint do the same thing? Wouldn't be as cool though… You're probably right, but I do like this because: 1) It's more consistent
2) I can't get that kind of fine color control. It really wasn't too much of a pain. I might try it on a figure painted white (police action? spaceship boarding?) and see how vivid it is. |
| McWong73 | 23 Oct 2013 7:36 p.m. PST |
Chevrons and assorted helmet markings would be cool. |
| Mako11 | 23 Oct 2013 7:40 p.m. PST |
Looks really neat, but at that scale, you really lose a lot of the details. That'd be a great logo, in larger size, for the doors of the drop pods, or on the sides of your landers. |
| darthfozzywig | 23 Oct 2013 7:44 p.m. PST |
I like where your head's at. |
| Vis Bellica | 23 Oct 2013 10:58 p.m. PST |
I admire your dedication and perfectionism, but I think I'd go down the dab of paint route at that scale! My bad, though. |
| WarWizard | 24 Oct 2013 4:39 a.m. PST |
Yes, at that scale with that little of contrast,I would just go with paint myself. But that decal is darn cool. Would really look good on 28mm figures. |
| DuncanIdaho | 24 Oct 2013 4:57 a.m. PST |
Really nice work. What make/model of inkjet printer do you use? What DPI setting? |
| MrHarold | 24 Oct 2013 5:39 a.m. PST |
I need to do more markings, I think that's a great idea Someone also mentioned using a decal to detail the face plate part. I think that's a really cool idea, I just have to figure out how to measure it effectively! I use an epson inkjet printer. These were at 600 DPI and they actually came out pretty well. |
| Twoball Cane | 24 Oct 2013 7:34 a.m. PST |
That method really works?! So cool. Mucho kudos! I recall fighting pirrhana graphics does custom work…. Don't know cost but that could in theory allow for a million of those. If u do another on a white(contrasting color) fig. Can u post it too. |
| MrHarold | 24 Oct 2013 8:09 a.m. PST |
Thanks! I will do it on a light color tonight and see how it turns out! |
 javelin98  | 24 Oct 2013 10:23 a.m. PST |
You, sir, are my new hero. Huzzah! |
| dwartist | 24 Oct 2013 11:01 a.m. PST |
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| The Sentient Bean | 24 Oct 2013 12:11 p.m. PST |
U crazy baby! I love it! I have some decal paper somewhere… |
| John Treadaway | 24 Oct 2013 12:32 p.m. PST |
1mm ? You're barmy Mr Harold… !! John T |
| Tango India Mike | 24 Oct 2013 12:40 p.m. PST |
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| MrHarold | 24 Oct 2013 12:44 p.m. PST |
Haha… thanks guys! (I think, I don't know what barmy is, and I'm not going to google it, I don't want to wife to get mad at me  ) This is where I got my decal paper from: link This is what I sprayed it with (three light coats, time to dry in between)
link |
| CAG 19 | 25 Oct 2013 10:32 a.m. PST |
Hats off to those doing home made decals. FWIW I would increase the size by 50%. Clear decal paper requires the background colour to provide the luminosity that an inkjet would normally gain from white paper. You can also try using the white decal paper to provide that element and then put a border colour on that can match your shoulder pads. I cut my teeth on pure black decals to start
link Before moving onto colour schemes. This might be helpful for those wanting to use the OP excellent post as inspiration link |
| MrHarold | 25 Oct 2013 6:57 p.m. PST |
I painted one up with a lighter color (a khaki). I've very happy on how the decal turned out:
I'm painting a squad up in grey, i'll probably paint the shoulder pad a light grey first before the decal. I think I'm going to include on the sheet: Small decal for shoulder pad
Larger decal for Aircraft/Drop Pod
Rank Insignia What else should be on there? |
| MrHarold | 26 Oct 2013 8:44 a.m. PST |
In case anyone wants their own, I'm offering the decal sheet for $1.99 USD on my webstore: link
Note: the resolution is slightly less than this image due to the size of the decals (the smaller decals are 1mm tall) |
| John Treadaway | 26 Oct 2013 8:59 a.m. PST |
Nice stuff Mr H. Getting decals is such a pain… For your information (and to stop you having to explain yourself to your wife…) British informal mad; crazy:
"I thought I was going barmy at first"
extremely foolish: "this is a barmy decision" John T |
| MrHarold | 26 Oct 2013 9:08 a.m. PST |
Haha, yes, that does sound apt! |
touches up a toy car.
