Need help with polar express lettering.

You may want to consider going to Microscale's website and looking at their alphabet decals. Clover house makes alphabet dry transfers if you prefer that method.

Okay thank you so much! I'll check it out. Do you know if I used dry transfers, if I will have a problem if sprayed a dull coat on the car before applying the decals? 

Dry transfers adhere better to a dull/flat finish. They can't be moved around, though. Water slide decals require a gloss finish, but can be moved around for spacing and alignment.

Are dry transfers the type that you need to rub with a piece of plastic or some type of hard surface to transfer the sticker? 

Wyatts dad posted:

Are dry transfers the type that you need to rub with a piece of plastic or some type of hard surface to transfer the sticker? 

 

Yes, woodland scenics makes a great little burnishing tool. I tried other means but their product provided the best results.

http://woodlandscenics.woodlan...ow/Item/DT600/page/1

I find what I want for my decals on the internet, clean them up using a picture editing software, and then I get clear decal paper (or white backed) so I print my decal on using my ink jet printer.  I then set the decals with a clear coat and then apply to the car once done.  

I like this way better because the letters are more uniform and I can put images on as well.

Here are some examples I have done:

Wow they look awesome! Where would I buy the paper? I really wish I could do that too. They really do look like they were purchased that way. So great 

Let enterprises, a forum sponsor did two runs of decals for the polar express. The last run was done during last Christmas season. I would contact them first.

Wyatts dad posted:

Wow they look awesome! Where would I buy the paper? I really wish I could do that too. They really do look like they were purchased that way. So great 

I got the decal paper from my local hobby shop.  It is made by Experts-Choice.  You can find a link for them via this link.

that's great info, thank you so much. So you put a clear coat on the decal and then apply onto the train? Does the surface (train car) need to be painted with a gloss with this method in order to apply the decal? 

Again thank you for responding.

Mike 

Do they make a dry transfer paper for printers too?

Wyatts dad posted:

that's great info, thank you so much. So you put a clear coat on the decal and then apply onto the train? Does the surface (train car) need to be painted with a gloss with this method in order to apply the decal? 

Again thank you for responding.

Mike 

Mike - after printing, I sprayed 2 coats of testors clear coat on it.  I then used Micro Sol and Micro Set to finish the process as directed by them.  Both are made by Microscale Industries.  Once dried, I think that is when I sprayed the gloss coat on the entire thing for some applications, but not for others.

Wyatts dad posted:

Do they make a dry transfer paper for printers too?

I don't know the answer to that - sorry.

Okay thank Allan! 

I need to just try it.. I'm afraid of messing it up but I know id be a lot happier with this project if I do the lettering. Yours are inspiring me to try it for sure.  The lettering makes it. 

Also. Do you cut each individual letter out, or do you cut the whole word out?

I can't get my printer to print clear. they smear. Which printer are you using? Any particular settings?

I didn't do anything special.  Just make sure the paper is for your type of printer (ink jet vs. laser printer).