Making custom decals on computer but can't have white lettering

[Guest]

I am making a bren gun carrier for a relative and for the first time I'm building it the same as the one he used in WW2. The lettering I require are white so that it can make the model exact. I purcashed clear, A4, inkjet decal paper so that I can finish the project but discovered that I cannot make white lettering decals.

I used 'Microsoft Word' and 'Paint Shop Pro Photo' which allows me to change the colour paper so that I can see the decals but when transfered to the printer only comes out as white, backing paper so I can't see the lettering when printed. I'm stuck, can anyone help?

[Ian M]

The big question is what printer are you using and does it have the ability to print white......

If you do then its really just a question of finding them on the sheet. How about putting a circle or box around the decal. You will be able to find them and then cut the circle/bow out and the decal should be right there!!

Of course if you don't you are up the proverbial with out a paddle...sorry.

Ian M

[Guest]

John, For my Trawler presently under construction I am using self adhesive vinyl white lettering and multi-coloured decals for the funnel flag manufactured by the company under, Barry is away until the 11 Nov., but he is very helpful. Cheers Derek

Manufacturer of self adhesive vinyl lettering and decals for model boats, planes, cars and all hobbies.

[stona]

Neither inkjet nor laser printers can do white usually. I did hear of a white inkjet ink a while ago but it seems to have disappeared!

The only printers to print white normally are ALPS printers. They cost an arm and a leg and are not an option unless you have access to one,at work for example.

I don't know exactly what you are attempting. If you want white letters within a coloured background you can print the background on clear decal paper and place the decal onto a painted white background to show the letters. If it is simply white letters you want you may be able to cut them from white decal paper.

A final option is to paint a white background and apply 'letraset' letters if you can get something close. Paint the rest of the model and remove the letraset to reveal....white letters.

If you are using an inkjet printer you are going to need to seal your decals with an acrylic varnish or,better, Microscale Liquid Decal Film. The ink is water soluble. With water slide decal paper you can see where that one's going!

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

As steve said, you need an alps printer to print white, not the kind of thing you would but for home use, they're pricey as are the cartridges and they're getting harder to source the cartridges too.

You can buy clear and white waterslide paper so buying a sheet of white is an option, you could set a 1 pixel black or grey outline to assist cutting out.

[Guest]

Or you could contact Paul Parks here - parkes682decals@aol.com - and ask him to do them for you.

They will cost . But not as much as an ALPS printer!

Tony R

[stona]

That's jogged my memory! It may well have been Paul Parks who posted (probably on Britmodeller) about white inkjet ink.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Neither inkjet nor laser printers can do white usually. I did hear of a white inkjet ink a while ago but it seems to have disappeared!The only printers to print white normally are ALPS printers. They cost an arm and a leg and are not an option unless you have access to one,at work for example.

I don't know exactly what you are attempting. If you want white letters within a coloured background you can print the background on clear decal paper and place the decal onto a painted white background to show the letters. If it is simply white letters you want you may be able to cut them from white decal paper.

A final option is to paint a white background and apply 'letraset' letters if you can get something close. Paint the rest of the model and remove the letraset to reveal....white letters.

If you are using an inkjet printer you are going to need to seal your decals with an acrylic varnish or,better, Microscale Liquid Decal Film. The ink is water soluble. With water slide decal paper you can see where that one's going!

Cheers

Steve[/quote that's 1 way of doing it, thanks for all the new info.

I'll try and get some 'Microscale Liquid Decal Film' as another thing I noticed. I used 'Vallejo' water based acrylic varnish to "seal" the decal badge, (the 1st time I've done this), but when put on the model the colour was a little translucent so they where not very good. I assume that although it "sealed" the decal, it must have taken some of the 'inkjet' off before it dried.

Still, I think white background and 'letraset' is the best. I'm going to Telford this weekend so I'll look out for 'Archers' stall and see what they can tell me of any methods they use.

John

[Guest]

Thanks for the ideas every one it will help.

John