Thinking of setting up a custom decals business

[Guest]

I was directed to this post by radish1us – thanks radish!

Well winterdyne, as someone has already mentioned very few companies do custom decal work, and those that do, charge an extortionate price! I live in Staffordshire, not far from you, and have e-mailed and telephoned those few companies. One would only do large batch run-offs, which would have cost me a 3 figure sum!

I think there is a big need here in the UK for what you are offering, but having said that, you business would not perhaps be viable if you relied on doing custom decals only. What I mean by that, is the fact that certain model makers like the steam locomotive buffs who can take several years (often a lifetime) to complete a model, would only want one set of decals during that time.

I’m not into steam locos or kit building and the sort of decal I am looking for would have to be custom printed. Here is an example of the sort of thing I am looking for -

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i234/Asperula/potwheelL.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i234/Asperula/potfrontleftL.jpg

This is an example of the sort of work I would need, but the artwork, layout and dimensions would of course be done by me.

I have an active website - www.scalemodelhorsedrawnvehicle.co.uk and forum -http://forum.scalemodelhorsedrawnvehicle.co.uk/ where other members would perhaps from time to time require similar custom decal printing at an acceptable price

Have you, or are you, also putting out “feelers” in similar model and hobbies forums and groups?

If you did start up your business and I was a satisfied customer, (which I’m sure I would be!) I would put up a link to your site on my website.

I wish you all the best in this enterprise and hope you are successful with it!

I will look in here regularly!

Best wishes,

jraah.

[Guest]

The spokes don't look too hard, nor do the axles. The wheel rim itself I think would be difficult to cut by hand (but possible). I can't do kiss-cut decals (you'll have to trim them yourself). But yeah, if you're doing the art I'd be able (and happy to) provide the print service.

By the way - with a light cream back colour, you could print decals like that on a standard inkjet printer.

I note the gold on the axles appears to be metallic - to get this done you're gonna need an alps or similar setup - I won't be able to do that unfortunately.

I'm putting out feelers all over the place - but I'm sortof concentrating on the sci-fi end of things as that's my bag, so I'm familiar with what's commonly needed. I'm always happy to hear more ideas though!

[Guest]

The spokes don't look too hard, nor do the axles. The wheel rim itself I think would be difficult to cut by hand (but possible). I can't do kiss-cut decals (you'll have to trim them yourself). But yeah, if you're doing the art I'd be able (and happy to) provide the print service.

Yes, it would be difficult to cut the whole diameter of the wheel rim by hand, and even more difficult to apply the decal in one piece – so the way it is usually done is to print it, cut it and apply it, in 4 separate quarters.

By the way - with a light cream back colour, you could print decals like that on a standard inkjet printer.

You are correct to a degree, but I have only included this as an example, and an extreme one at that! This model would be the Daddy of all models regarding the decal work, and not something I would tackle for quite a while yet! The decals I would want at this point in time would be less ornate and would be pale blue/black to go on a deep red background and dark blue/black on a sky blue background. Metallic gold or silver; I won’t be needing!

Thank you for your prompt reply and interest.

Regards,

jraah

[Guest]

Just a thought, it's a bit dependent on whether or not the printer will be able to print on vinyl or not, but have you thought about the possibility of a vinyl cutter too? I'd really appreciate the ability to have paint masks cut from my own drawings and combined with the ability to create custom stickers would be a pretty handy one stop shop!

[Guest]

When you set this up, will we be able to send you design, or pictures of waht we want to stick on our kits? For example, I want to make a tornado F3 dam buster sqd' but no markings for it (as far as i know), so I could send you design or picture of it and you send me the product? Or will you work you way through all the RAF, army, navy units ect and making markings for ships, tnaks aircraft?

[Guest]

To do custom decals, I'd need the following:

1) *Precise* sizing for the decal / design. For things like wing insignia / flashes, Using masking tape to create a template is a good trick.

2) Good 'square on' artwork of the design you want. The less work that's needed in redrawing or tweaking the better.

I'm still waiting on production samples from the toner manufacturer. The quality of these is really make or break on whether this whole scheme is a good idea.

Alan: No, can't set up to do vinyl cutting unfortunately. Unsure about whether the printers will accept vinyl either.

[Guest]

What are the specs of the ALPS replacement printer? Is it possible to print onto clear self adhesive vinyl too. If so I think it'd be great for printing decals for Radio Control cars and aircraft which would be tougher than waterslide decals too. I think these would be popular and if you could do an A4 sheet for a Fiver or so could probably appeal to kids who want to modify their radio-control super X 2000 IC hotshot whatever car...

Possibly you could do batches of custom car graphics and make these a regular seller on an ebay shop? and just do a few special jobs with custom decals. I don't think there would be much demand for custom decals for scale models as the people who want to change their model from the stock decal sheet will probably be able to make their own decals using inkjet printers and waterslide printer paper or letraset etc.

Also it'd be great to find a printer that had the possibility of being able to print with silver and gold ink! If the printer could do it - it'd be great to be able to make custom dry transfer lettering too...as well as waterslide transfers.

An example of the kind of thing I'm after personally - some decals for my 16mm rolling stock and a few no smoking decals for the glazing for starters. Probably would only need smaller sheets though and lots of the same transfer clustered together. Rather than £15 for a whole A4 sheet.

I'd create my own artwork though - would just need it printed in red, white and black.

Sorry to hijack. Got here thru investigating laser sublimation.

Alan, I can print onto A4 self adhesive vinyl - white or clear and can also

contour cut it too.

Can print a form of gold & silver - don't know if good enough though, can't print white.

Water decal paper I have also but dry rub paper is pricey @ £2.60 per sheet. With any of these papers it's more cost effective to fill your

sheet.

Happy to do you a trial run just for the feedback.

lmk cheers David

[Guest]

Hi,

I've just joined the group and was wiondering fi you are up and running after the interest shown here. I design transfers for people and need a reliable supplier to print out 10x A4 sheets of railway and bus transfers in various scales (initially with more to come).

Cheers

Frank

[Guest]

Hello winterdyne

As SMT post any news yet about decals please and hoping your in the UK