"New capability to make decals" Topic

Earlier this year I decided to jump into the business of making decals for miniatures. I picked up an Oki C711WT because it's a laser printer and uses white, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner. It works well and produces nice decals; however, it prints white last in the sequence and registration is an issue for making multiple passes. White needs to be under the color so that the colored portion of the graphic is opaque.

That limits me to making two-part decals when white is required; white decal first, then color. That's extra work for me when making the files and printing the sheets. It's a bother for those applying the decals too as it pretty much doubles the number of decals that go on each mini. It does beat the the alternative of not being able to print white though.

I just received my much anticipated Oki C942 printer. It prints white first and then prints cyan, yellow, magenta, and black. Below is a picture of decals produced on the first test run of my C942. The model is an Armaments in Miniature, 1/200 scale, Ki-48 Lily. Decals include the tail marking and aircraft number, fuselage marking, and markings on top and bottom of the wings. The model is under 2" long. The Japanese marking on the fuselage of the model is 0.18" in diameter. These are one-piece decals.

I'm very happy with the results. The colors are opaque and the registration is good. Now I need to learn more about the printer's capabilities, convert my existing files, and add some more.

Yes, I am taking orders. If you want a one-piece version of a decal currently in my webstore, just let me know and I'll move that conversion up in the process. I will still sell two-part decals if someone really wants them.

If you've already purchased a Miscellaneous Miniature two-part decal from either Miscellaneous Miniatures, LLC or Dave at Armaments in Miniature, LLC, you can return unused sheets to me and I will send you one-piece decals at no charge, US only. If you're not in the US, I'll provide the new decal but you'll have to pick up the international postage. To do this, please contact me at orders@miscmini.com

Kevin
miscmini.com
shop.miscmini.com

Those look great!

Agreed!

looks fine so far

Sweet! Those will look really nice on the planes you paint for me. :-)

Are you able to do custom images? You already do a stellar job making each plane unique, but adding unique nose art to each one would be a fantastic bonus.

- Ix

Thanks all.

Ix, yes, I can make custom images. It's just a matter of time, references, and priority. Oh, and if it's a really challenging image then through in money because I'll have to send that out for creation. Kevin

Would you be prepared to print from digital artwork supplied to you and if so do you have preferred file format?

That looks great, good to see more decal makers and ones able to print in white!

Timmo uk, as long as the there are no questions about IP rights I'd consider it.

Most of my files are .odg. I've pulled in a couple .svg files created in Adobe Illustrator. I'm considering moving to Illustrator.

Feel free to send me an e-mail at orders@miscmini.com to discuss further.

Kevin

Kevin thanks. Email noted. I work in Illustrator. When you say IP rights do you mean in practise that if you print sheet for me from artwork I supply that you would want to be able to continue to print that sheet as part of your catalogue?

Not really, I may want to depending on the subject, that would be something to negotiate.

What I'm more concerned about is printing something that I do not have the right to be printing. If you have the rights to the graphics and you give me permission, then I'm okay with doing the work.

That sounds good. I'm thinking about doing a Battle of Britain sheet for Ju88 and another for Ju87 (complete squadrons not odd planes) having done generic Fighter numbers and Me110 sheets successfully.

The artwork is my creation so no problems there on the repro rights.

In need of Italian WWI roundels ( red, white, green ) for 1/144 scale… several sizes…for top and bottom of wings, fuselage sides and for different sized aircraft. I'd buy a few sheets for sure.

Of course, British, French, Russian, Belgian and USA would be nice too !

Joe

Nice stuff.

Timmo uk and Joez66, if you're interested in decals, please send me an e-mail orders@miscmini.com.
Kevin

Kev

I'll be using your services!

--Tom

Are you willing to make 1/100 scale USAF low vis decals and block letter tail markings? I want to paint up some 1/100 scale A7 Corsair IIs as USAF (Air Guard) so I could use them for TY, instead of A-10s.

I have used his decals on several models now and they are excellent. I am very pleased and highly recommend them. I am about to order some more for an A7V (SchnucK) I am doing in 10 MM.

Terry

capnvic, yes. I just need a reference for the design and a size. The reference can be a picture sent in an e-mail, posted here, or a link. Kevin

Miscmini – how does it handle the clear varnish that holds the ink together? Does one need to go the ClearKote in a spray can route? Or, are you using the sheets where one has to cut real close to the decal to avoid the extra carrier film?

Wyatt

I recommend a quick spray of gloss coat before applying the decals which resolves any concern of the carrier film showing. Then after the decals have dried you can use a flat coat and it looks fine. I also recommend the flat coat over the decals be applied as perhaps two thin coats to avoid any affect on the decals. I've had no problem with any of Kevin's but this is my general rule for working with decals.

Here's a Pendraken 10 MM model of the A7V 504 Schnuck that Kevin made some custom decals for me, to give you an idea of how they will turn out.

[URL=http://s257.photobucket.com/user/terry37photos/media/Weird%20World%20War/IMG_2014_zpsadvg25e5.jpg.html]

I have said before and will say again. I love his decals and he is excellent to work with.

Terry

Wyatt, it's a laser printer so there's no ink. Sealant is not required. I do cut close to the decal to avoid having to deal with excess carrier film. I use a setting solution, a decal solvent, and when they are dry I coat them with a gloss or flat varnish. Kevin

Terry, that's a really nice looking A7V! Kevin