O Scale Decals - Custom/home printing/etc?

Do you have an inkjet printer?  Make your own.

https://www.amazon.com/Sheets-...dExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Last time I played with decal paper, I sprayed some waterproof clear coat over the decal film to protect the lettering. The font you're after looks like Times New Roman (might be "Railroad Roman").

Yes, I do have an inkjet printer.   I would like to print my own but I was interested in the quality of the decals that result from this process.   Thanks Matt for the font suggestion.   Matt, were you pleased with the decals you made with decal paper?   I knew about the need for the clear coat spray to protect the lettering.   What did you use and how did it work?   

Anybody have experience with having custom decals made?    Interested in cost, quality and ease of getting it done.    Thanks for the help!

Cheers, Dave

Matt, I printed my original test strip using Palatino bold 15 pt.   On your suggestion, I did a test using Times New Roman and it was very similar.   I think I like your suggestion better.    Thanks for the input.

 cheers, Dave

This paint scheme is cooler.  You can buy decals for this too.

I purchased decals from K4.  They are everything on this train car except the Iowa logos.  Those were home made on my printer.  Like Matt said you have to clear coat them before putting in water.

https://k4decals.com/

A fellow forumite, Bob Anson, did some spectacular Mobilgas tank car decals for me.  I needed white, with black outline, for a 1939 restoration.  Easy to work with, stunning accuracy.  All I had to do was show him an example and send a check!

MicroScale has Railroad Roman font in red, just apply each letter

Woodland Scenics also has dry transfer RR Roman letters in red, but not maroon.

I have some Rail Graphic decals.  Appears to be no longer in business.  

@Ron045 posted:

This paint scheme is cooler.  You can buy decals for this too.

I purchased decals from K4.  They are everything on this train car except the Iowa logos.  Those were home made on my printer.  Like Matt said you have to clear coat them before putting in water.

https://k4decals.com/

"ON IOWA"

Here are Bob Anson's spectacular decals:

While I am at it, Jim Wilhite (RIP), proprietor of LaBelle for a decade or so, made me decals from photos of my favorite Varney cars.  He also made some really neat stuff for Super Cub and Cessna 180 placards.  I won't bore you with that, but they look like silk screening on the instrument panels.  Bob does the same thing, but I haven't exercised him quite as much.  Herewith:

https://www.cmrproducts.com/st...Range-DMIR-c33448791

@bob2 posted:

Here are Bob Anson's spectacular decals:

Looks great!   I emailed him today requesting help.   Looking forward to his reply.   Thanks again Bob for the recommendation.  

Cheers, Dave

@Mike CT posted:

I have some Rail Graphic decals.  Appears to be no longer in business.  

Yup … Ron retired. I had hoped that someone would take over his business.

@AGHRMatt posted:

Last time I played with decal paper, I sprayed some waterproof clear coat over the decal film to protect the lettering. The font you're after looks like Times New Roman (might be "Railroad Roman").

Matt, when I work with commercial decals, I use Solveset, a setting solution that softens and makes the decal snuggle down into every crevice.   In your experience with home printed decals that you sprayed with the waterproof clear coat, did you experience any problem getting the decals to snuggle down?  Also, what product did you use for the clear coat?

Cheers, Dave 

@darlander posted:

Matt, when I work with commercial decals, I use Solveset, a setting solution that softens and makes the decal snuggle down into every crevice.   In your experience with home printed decals that you sprayed with the waterproof clear coat, did you experience any problem getting the decals to snuggle down?  Also, what product did you use for the clear coat?

Cheers, Dave 

I used Testor's clear spray, but I didn't use Solvaset so I don't know what it's impact would be.

Mixed results.  I always use Solvaset or similar, but you need care to avoid lifting the paint.  Most of my decals go over riveted tender sides, and my rivets are oversize (artistic license).  I usually get good snuggle down with custom decals.

LaBelle still exists, Alps printer and all.  My artwork can be used free of charge to generate decals for others, and should slightly reduce the cost.  LaBelle has some very useful SP steam decals, done for Stevenson Preservation.

@bob2 posted:

Mixed results.  I always use Solvaset or similar, but you need care to avoid lifting the paint.  Most of my decals go over riveted tender sides, and my rivets are oversize (artistic license).  I usually get good snuggle down with custom decals.

LaBelle still exists, Alps printer and all.  My artwork can be used free of charge to generate decals for others, and should slightly reduce the cost.  LaBelle has some very useful SP steam decals, done for Stevenson Preservation.

Thanks Bob for the input!   Can you give me more info, or contact information for LaBelle?   I'm tempted to get decal paper and give it a try.   Again my concern with "do-it-yourself decals" rest with the ability to get a good snug fit.

cheers, Dave

When I did my car, I wanted as smooth a surface as possible.  But one panel line ran right down the middle. 

I used a clear gloss from a rattle can to protect the home made decals.  Then I used MicroSet in the area I wanted the decal and applied.  A little while later after it set I applied MicroSol.  I covered the decal  with MicroSol 4 times.  That really snugged it up.

When I was happy with the decals, I sprayed the entire car with a clear coat.

@Ron045 posted:

When I did my car, I wanted as smooth a surface as possible.  But one panel line ran right down the middle. 

I used a clear gloss from a rattle can to protect the home made decals.  Then I used MicroSet in the area I wanted the decal and applied.  A little while later after it set I applied MicroSol.  I covered the decal  with MicroSol 4 times.  That really snugged it up.

When I was happy with the decals, I sprayed the entire car with a clear coat.

Thanks Ron for the info.   Your Hawkeye decal looks very nice.   I plan to order some decal paper today.

Cheers, Dave

And, oops - my friend Bob Anson can only do black and white.  There goes that option.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.   I printed my own on water slide decal paper, treated it with two coats of Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover matte clear.   Very happy  with the results.   Thanks everyone of the help and suggestions.

Cheers, Dave

For printing railroad lettering, there is an abundant variety of actual railroad fonts available from www.railfonts.com