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Decal printer

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:03 pm
by ElectricRodeo1
I would like to get some opinions on a good copier/printer combo for printing decals. I have multiple older Tamiya kits and NASCAR decals that have yellowed beyond saving and I was hoping to just copy them to my PC and then reprint them on white decal paper. I’m sure the process is a bit more involved than that, and I’m not trying to start a business so I don’t need anything commercial or that cost a small fortune. I would like something with good detail and could print smooth lines but again I’m not selling these decals so the price can’t be sky high. Anyone have any recommendations? Good dpi vs price?

Thank you as always,
Jeff

Re: Decal printer

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:26 pm
by daniel
Honestly if you want a decent result go a see if someone made replacement decals. Chances are good you will probably find everything you're looking for. Homemade decals will look crap...well at least if you want quality :) and how about transparency, white, gold, flurescent color etc etc....

Re: Decal printer

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 3:05 am
by JamesB
Quite simple: copying doesn’t work. You need to draw the stuff again. Printers that allow good results are not cheap.
And the process of drawing and printing correctly is a learning curve that takes years.
Yep , look for ready substitutes :wink:

Re: Decal printer

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 5:23 am
by steinietrabi
For smaller items (additional details, overall patches, helmets or for example one-offs) you can try it on printable film (transparent/white) for the laser printer.
But the quality is just bad. And some things don't work - colors/color combinations!

When you need whole decal sets, it doesn't work. Copying is also not possible! You have to redo the templates, preferably as vector data.

This is the quality of selfmade decals...

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Re: Decal printer

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 7:14 am
by vekkuli
steinietrabi wrote:

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Here in F-Land We have 24 Items in one of those Boxes :P .

Re: Decal printer

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:48 am
by keithwwalker
There are a few companies that do repro decals, it would really help if you listed which kits you are looking for.
http://www.jbot.ca/other-veh.shtml#2
https://www.indycals.net/
https://www.pattosplace.com/ (don't know about Patto quality)
Nothing beats silk screen when it comes to hard to match colors, metallics, fluorescents, etc.

Re: Decal printer

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:01 am
by hirofkd
Before attempting to print decals on your own, have you tried sun-bleach?
Some of my severely-yellowed decals took two weeks to restore.

If you do try sun-bleaching, make sure you scan the original decal just in case the sunlight ruins other parts of the decal.
I have tried the method on many decals by various manufacturers, and so far, I have never had any problems...

Re: Decal printer

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 2:33 pm
by JamesB
Forgot to mention: Nascar is the most fearsome nightmare for a decal maker: highest work/surface ratio ever seen!! :shock: :lol:

Re: Decal printer

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 3:26 pm
by indycals
JamesB wrote:Forgot to mention: Nascar is the most fearsome nightmare for a decal maker: highest work/surface ratio ever seen!! :shock: :lol:
*Sports cars* "Hold my beer" :lol:
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Re: Decal printer

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2020 8:54 pm
by AJP01
indycals wrote:
JamesB wrote:Forgot to mention: Nascar is the most fearsome nightmare for a decal maker: highest work/surface ratio ever seen!! :shock: :lol:
*Sports cars* "Hold my beer" :lol:
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Okay Michael - that's funny....