Conference vmszoo::rc

			---<Not exactly a decal but...>---

I wanted to add a "Please return to sender..." address label to my recently 
finished glider so I composed the address using VAX DOCUMENT (nice type fonts) 
and then made a "Xerox" copy of the label to the size I wanted using the zoom 
feature. I then made an "overhead" transparency which I trimmed down to size.
This was then CA'd in place on the fuselage over the Ultracote using thin CA.
It looks very neat and unobtrusive and lets the color show through. You could
design your original artwork and copy that, but I wouldn't abuse the privelege
by making more than one or two.

Dave

    
    I know that Paul Major of "Major Decal's" will do customer work.
    Of course for a price. He's is Longmeadow Ma. He advertizes in
    the mag's.  I've talk to him before about custome decals and he
    indicated that he would print a few sets of the decals so that
    the owner of the design can sell them to defray the cost. Paul
    is a club member so give him a call.
    
    
    						Tom

I received a catalogue (flyer) from Aeroloft Designs the other day.
I was shocked.

What they offer is extensive decal like (run on transfers).
They have supplied the transfers for several masters competition
planes of late.  Shalesh Patels(sp) anniversary edition F4? and others.

What shocked me was the price.  These little puppies go for $200 to $300
per set.  Those are off the shelve prices.  If you send them color photos
and documentation they will custom build a set for your plane.

Now I'll be the first to admit that paint is not cheap.  When you have
to mail order paint to get FS numbers and only purchase in small quantities
you can easily run up a $50 to $100 paint bill for a scale plane but
I think we have entered the world of professionals when were talking
about $300 for decals.  And worse yet - apparently now you don't have
to declare them?  Where do you draw the line.  Engines must cost under
$5.00 per inch of wing span.  Receivers must cost less then $1.00 per inch
of wing span.  Decals must cost less then $10.00.  Total cost not
to exceed $5.00 per ounce.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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I'm interested in ways to apply detailed, small-scale lettering and markings on
models. Either via custom decals or some other approach such as silkscreening.
Does anyone know much about such methods?

I'm thinking of all the markings on military aircraft such as the NO STEP,
RESCUE, etc. exterior labeling, as well as interior work such as instrument
panel switch labels and the like. The target scale would be about 1/10.

Has anyone tried running blank (either clear or colored) decal film through
photocopiers or laser printers? If so, how did it work? Were the black areas
really opaque? For example, for instrument panels, the labels are often white
on a black background. Using a drawing program, I can create artwork which has
white letters on a black background. Might it work to print this on plain solid
wite decal film? The white image letters would not image anything on the film,
allowing the white decal to show, while the black image areas would image black
on the film, hopefully covering the while film background.

How would you produce grey decals for exterior low-visibility markings such as
NO STEP and friends? Might a color photocopier work on clear decal film, using
positive grey artwork?

I've never done silkscreening, so I don't know the resolution that can be
achieved. Does anyone have any thoughts on making silkscreen masks, and then
applying paint through them at this scale?
						-- Tom

There is decal solution available at craft stores that will pick up the toner
off printer/copier output. I seem to remember it being called something like
Decal-It. You need to play around with the paper that you print on and it works
better on a slightly coated paper. It's used to transfers onto wood plaques in
the craft world.

I used it a few times and haven't in a lot of years. Your mileage may vary.