"Home-printed flags?" Topic

I've found some art that I intend to use for flags in 15mm. I can resize the art to the proper size, and print it on my office printer.

Any special advice for using home-printed flags? I am wondering if the printing will smear when the flags are glued front-to-back.

As long as you don't use too much glue, you should be fine.

They will smear if you use an overly large amount of glue, and/or you don't let the ink dry on the paper. I usually let it dry for 12 – 24 hours on the paper, before using the prints, just to be safe.

I use plain old, Elmer's white glue for this.

I use a toothpick to apply and smooth the glue out on the paper, gluing both sides, then wrapping around a toothpick, or other similar "flag pole".

Let dry a little, then you can put waves in the flags to make them look as if they are blowing in the wind for a more convincing look.

Use another toothpick to clean up the edges, to remove any excess glue. Having a paper napkin, or paper towel is a good idea too, for cleaning toothpicks between each flag made, excess glue on the flags, fingers, etc., etc..

Very easy to do, and a fun little project.

I imagine some people seal their flags too, but I haven't in the past for most of them. I just put them somewhere safe for storage, between uses.

I use glue sticks to do all of my paper modelling.

Spray matt varnish and you can soak it in white glue without any issues.
Rest of the procedure like Thresher01.
For the folds: bend first at a diagonal running from the pole end down – this will make better folds, making the flag hanging down more realistically.
And don't forget to paint the edges in appropriate colours – IMHO this makes the difference.

Remember to bend the flags so they are just not stiff sheets.

And finally go over the edges with suitably colored paint so the edges don't show as white.

I try to before glueing wrap flag around a pin the size of the pole it will go on. It doesn't take much glue and I give them a little ripple, there not on the windless moon after all.

What kind of printer is your office printer?

Inkjet printers tend to use water soluble inks so are susceptible to smudging.

Laser printers use heat to fuse toner to the paper so tend to be water resistant.

I use ordinary PVA (white glue), but spray varnish it to prevent the smearing.

Use glue that does not get absobed by paper. For better shaping up use a strip,of foil between it will help give them a nice half falling realistic shape. Of course being lazy I don't often do it!
Very important:
Have space enough between the two halves to put the pole.
Shape and try the pole wrapping before gluing.
Best not use a very strong instant glue, it helps correct mistakes.

Paint the edges if needed, esp if gold silver etc.

painting the edges is essential I have seen too many floags paper or otherwise missing this

Never had any luck until I got a color laser jet. Inkjet always bleeds.

You want to seal the end product. Sweat and any type of moisture is your flags greatest enemy.

Don't forget to "flip" the image for one side horizontally so that the two sides line up properly. Second the need to paint the edges.

You can also print them in pale grey scale and then paint them by hand although this may be a bit fiddly for 15mm.

Only one thing to add. Fold the flag in half before wrapping it around your pole. The crease helps to keep it in position.

I used to paint my flags on self adhesive address labels. The fold was essential as I found it best to line up and stick the "fly" together first then work my fingers towards the staff.

Show us pics :-)

If you want the flag to last forever and bend as you like glue it to sheet foil. Cut it out then glue together and bend as you like.They look great!

I always paint over the top of mine. Gives them a better look once they are on. I don't like the "fresh of the printer" look, so like to add a bit more colour.

too many to count and never had issues with bleeding

I've been making my own computer generated flags for a number of years. I will use clip art and drawing programs as well as some "borrowed" flags to produce the finial piece. I will also print out the piece and do some drawing or painting detail on it and then scan it back into the computer. Generally I will work on the original flag at a much larger size and then scale it down.
I use white glue and never had an issue with bleeding, I do both sides as it allows them to slide (permitting alining) better. I always paint the edges.

Thanks!

I use the "cloth paper" for ink jet printers instead of just plain paper

All paper models should be edged with a black marker, unless you want/need gold/silver gilting on the edges. Run a black Sharpie over the white edge, and it will disappear, mostly. Neat little trick, easy to do, fast, and effective.

I switched to a color laser printer a couple of years ago. Can't say they're cheaper to operate, but the printouts do not smear with water.

I print on full-sheet label paper: print, cut images out, peel, and stick. Will work for inkjet printers, as well, if you varnish before cutting, and applying. No glue required. Cheers!

All paper models should be edged with a black marker, unless you want/need gold/silver gilting on the edges. Run a black Sharpie over the white edge, and it will disappear, mostly. Neat little trick, easy to do, fast, and effective.

Do that after you cut out the flag but before you glue it together.