Not sure where to post this.
I want to buy some white decal paper. I have never used waterslide decal paper before.
Any recommendations of which one to use and, equally as important, which spray/sealer to use?
I've been a bit surprised that what feels like a complex product by comparison with normal paper, only seems to be available from unknown brands and unknown suppliers, who then don't specify an appropriate sealer. Mainstream modelling outlets don't appear to stock it.
Or perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place and overthinking the problem....
Help, please!
I've bought decal paper off ebay with no problems. If you're using an ink jet printer then the decals have to be sealed with an acrylic varnish before wetting them otherwise the ink runs. Easier to fix on a smooth surface but can be done on a wagon side with care. Use a bedding liquid to help bed them down but don't damage the varnish.
Yes, I have an ink jet printer.
So, any acrylic varnish? Halfords, Humbrol, etc? Nothing special to look out for?
I´ve used Crafty Computer Paper to make decals for N Gauge trains, pedal bikes and motor scooters with good results. I used spray polyurethane varnish to seal.
I saw someone refer to Crafty in another thread. It may have been you.
Do they still exist? Their website seems to be defunct. There are a few items under their name on Amazon, but not decal paper that I've found.
Hi Folks,
I too would like to know a brand/supplier for white and clear decal paper. Crafty paper no longer seems to exist. Searching on eBay etc. has shown that this paper is rather expensive so I would prefer not to order duff stuff.
Many thanks
Paddy
I have both clear and white decal paper I bought from my local model shop. I believe it is a USA brand, bare metal foil is the name. Works well when sealed with acrylic varnish. I have hand brushed this on for small decals cut out/off a big sheet. No point in wasting the paper.
Izzy
I've bought this (https://www.homecrafts.co.uk/laser-water-slide-decal-paper-clear) before and it was branded Crafty Computer Paper. My last purchase was probably near a decade ago and it seems Crafty Computer Paper went South c.2014 - the last blog post was in August 2014 (https://craftycomputerpaper.blogspot.com/ (https://craftycomputerpaper.blogspot.com/)).
Laser decal papers don't need sealing like inkjet papers - in simple terms, laser printers melt solid colours and fuse them to the surface of the paper, while inkjet printers spray liquid colours onto the surface of the paper.
Homecrafts offer the same four options - clear and white decal papers for either laser or inkjet printers - that Crafty Computer Paper previously offered. Perhaps Homecrafts bought out Crafty Computer Paper.
Just remembered the decal paper is called Experts Choice, and often stocked by model shops doing aircraft. Hannants of Lowestoft also not surprisingly stock it.
Izzy
I had no idea Bare Metal Foil produced decal paper. I knew about their eponymous product but not that.
I seem to have a knack for asking the wrong questions of Hannants' search engine!! :confused1:
Pricey, though. Did it give good results?
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/EC119 (https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/EC119)
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/EC121 (https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/EC121)
https://www.bare-metal.com/experts-choice-decal-film.html (https://www.bare-metal.com/experts-choice-decal-film.html)
Quote from: RailGooner on February 23, 2019, 10:38:01 AM
Homecrafts offer the same four options - clear and white decal papers for either laser or inkjet printers - that Crafty Computer Paper previously offered. Perhaps Homecrafts bought out Crafty Computer Paper.
The Homecrafts paper I have is branded Specialist. Their online catalogue is a flipping book. There is a search facility above the book. The decalpaper is on page 199.
https://www.specialistcrafts.co.uk/media/flipbooks/SC2019%20EDL%20Flipbook/sc19edl/sc19edl.html#p=195 (https://www.specialistcrafts.co.uk/media/flipbooks/SC2019%20EDL%20Flipbook/sc19edl/sc19edl.html#p=195)
Mr Decal Paper https://mrdecalpaper.com/ (https://mrdecalpaper.com/) also on ebay. Their decal paper for lasers is not suitable for commercial printers. The drum is too hot and damages the paper. It's fine for home use laser printers.
Quote from: Nick on February 23, 2019, 05:11:31 PM
I had no idea Bare Metal Foil produced decal paper. I knew about their eponymous product but not that.
I seem to have a knack for asking the wrong questions of Hannants' search engine!! :confused1:
Pricey, though. Did it give good results?
It's around the same cost as inkjet printable acetate sheet. A single A4 sheet will go a long way for 2mm. I was happy with the general results. Will try and find/take a few shots to show the results.
Izzy
Thanks everyone for their input. Definite food for thought here.
Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I've had eye surgery recently and have been severely rationing my PC use. Thankfully, my vision in the affected eye seems to be becoming useful again in the last day or so.
Hi all,
Yes, Mr DecalPaper is a good source and I have had no problems with using it. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/node/9998630031?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Mr%20Decal%20Paper&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_9998630031 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/node/9998630031?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Mr%20Decal%20Paper&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_9998630031)
Just remember that there are two types, clear and white, depending on what you are printing. Also, variants for laser or inkjet.
As stated, once printed - and always do a test print on normal paper - then let it dry and then do a few (I do at least 3) thin top coats of varnish. When applying, make sure the surface is clean and then coat with gloss varnish spray, and then using Micro Set/Sol go through the process of applying the decals. After you have the decal set in the right location, dab with a clean cotton bud tip to get rid of water and keep it flat. I then let it dry before coating again with a gloss coat, and once that is dry, then a flat coat.
Hope this helps.
Quote from: Doc Pye on March 05, 2019, 12:09:09 AM
Yes, Mr DecalPaper is a good source and I have had no problems with using it. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/node/9998630031?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Mr%20Decal%20Paper&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_9998630031 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/node/9998630031?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Mr%20Decal%20Paper&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_9998630031)
As stated, once printed - and always do a test print on normal paper - then let it dry and then do a few (I do at least 3) thin top coats of varnish. [snip] I then let it dry before coating again with a gloss coat, and once that is dry, then a flat coat.
Hope this helps.
@Doc Pye (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=7313)
It certainly does. :)
Can I ask what varnish you use? I have a horror of spraying the paper with some incompatible product that creates general mayhem. I'm probably worrying for nothing, but I'm struggling to find specifics and there are so many varnishes out there. So personal experience would be very useful.
For the decal sheets I coat mine with some gloss acrylic varnish (most will do). My first coat is very light and I make sure everything is colorfast. I then let that dry and put on a 2nd coat.
Here is a basic 'how to' vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKFxzJvH1U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKFxzJvH1U)
For application, I coat the item with a spray of Future, then apply decals using Micro Sol/Set system, then once dry, recoat with a spray of Future, and then once that is dry, a coat of Dullcoat.
Thanks. I usually use Humbrol Acrylic varnishes, not least because my local model shop stocks them.
Any experience using them?
Also, does Future still work? I thought that they'd changed the formula. Or the name. Or both... I get very confused reading about Future on the Web...
I stopped using Humbrol stuff years ago...and never looked back.
I tend to use Vallejo or Mig/Ammo paints these days. Vallejo does some good gloss varnish. Testor's Dullcoat is still good, despite them screwing with the formula over the years. As for Future, I have the American stuff and it still works. The EU in their infinite wisdom messed with the formula, so that one doesn't work well. However, you can just use any gloss spray, as the key is to put your decals on a gloss surface, as that is more even.
Hope this helps.
I think the only varnish sprays that my LMS stock are Humbrol. I do like to buy what I can from them. "Use it or lose it" definitely applies.
They do stock Vallejo paints but, having shifted to Humbrol Acrylics from enamels a few years back, I am reluctant to go the trouble and expense of shifting again.The early acrylics could be a little erratic, but I don't have problems with them now. I usually use Railmatch Acrylics for rail-specific colours.
Should be okay. Give it a test and find out. Remember, do 3 coats sprayed thinly on the decal sheet, with each coat allowed to dry in a dust free environment.