Make Personalized and Custom Decals For Models With Your Home Printer

Model building is has been an American favorite for years. There are a wide range of models out there that meet the needs of every type of hobbyist. Obviously, two of the biggest and most popular are model cars and airplanes. Era specific crafts, houses and boats are some of the other popular models people like to build. There are many reason that people make models, such as to resell, use for home display or for just plain fun. The biggest problem for model hobbyist is trying to find all the supplies they need to make their model. If there is a specific decal or logo that you want to create, it might be a better idea to make your own using your home printer. Stores cannot possible carry all of the decals you need, so do not limit yourself to their selection. Unleash your creativity and imagination by producing a one of a kind decal for that extra personal touch.

You will need the following: Cutting templates, glue, craft knife, multiple printer ink cartridges, a ruler and sticker or decal paper

Step-by-Step

1. Stop by your local craft store and choose the style or type of sticker/decal paper you wish to use. Look for the standard 8 1/2" x 11" to make sure that the paper properly fits your printer. You can usually choose between clear and white.

2. Cutting tools and templates can be found at the craft or hobby store as well as a scrap booking supply store. Look for a self healing cutting surface as well as a small knife with a sharp blade.

3. You can either try and make your decals by using design software or search of relevant images online. Search engines are great places to get ideas, find images and logos. Another place to find a company's logo is to check out their website and download the image.
4. Make sure to consider how much printer ink the image will use and then print it off with your home computer. To save on ink, print some images in black. Also, if you paste them as images, you will be able to adjust the size, which can cut down on excess printer ink usage.

5. Use your cutting tools and guides for precision cutting and fine details. A craft knife is more maneuverable than scissors and provides a more professional look. Let the printer ink properly dry before you begin to cut to avoid smears and smudges.

6. Now you are ready to adhere them to the model. Check to see that the surface is clean and dry. Use glue only if it is needed to seal down edges.

Printing your decals from home has major advantages over store bought decals; a chance for customization being one of them. The only real downside is that it uses a lot of printer ink cartridges, which can be expensive. However, creating custom decals will really make your models stand out. You will be sure to have the most original model for your school or organization's contest. Use your new creations to decorate your room or fill a display case for all to see. Printing decals is as simple as finding an item you like or creating your own, the only limit is your imagination.


BIO: Braden is a blogger that likes to write helpful articles on common household items and ways to best use them. Recently he has taken to finding creative and fun ways to utilize home printers and how to cut back on printer ink cartridges and paper refills. Check out Braden's most recent articles to find other creative ways to use your home printer and save on other supplies like printer ink.