Custom Printed Decals for Championship Tabletop Gaming

When creating a model army worthy of competition it's often the use of high quality transfers and airbrushing that allows you to create beautiful finishes and decals that bring your forces to life. Decals also known as trasfers can really help to provide intricate patterns, slogans and symbology that would otherwise be too difficult to paint by hand. There are many companies around who offer custom transfer print services and historical packs that allow you to recreate famous squadrons and tank regiments such as the Desert Rats. Creating your own custom designs however is a lot more fun and allows you to be creative when designing your own fictional faction of space warriors or alien hordes.

Here's What You Need

You can always buy your decals from an online company pre-designed and printed or send your own designs off to be custom made. However if you like the idea of making them yourself here's what you'll need. Firstly you'll need a computer with some software that will allow you to either draw your designs or copy them from the Internet. Secondly you'll require a laser or inject printer to print the designs, the better quality the printer the clearer and sharper the transfers will be. Inkjet printers are generally more common and so you'll probably find that this is what you'll use, which will have an impact on the type of paper you'll need. For the paper use either laser or inkjet decal paper. This will print just like normal paper, however once it has finished it must be sealed with a paper decal fixative spray, which will stop the images from smudging and will help with the application later on. 

Applying the Decal

To apply your decal to the model carefully cut around it using a sharp blade, being careful not to cut yourself, getting as close to the decal as possible will make it easier to apply later on. Then soak the decal in room temperature water for about 30 seconds. Next slightly dampen the area of the model you'd like to apply the transfer to, it shouldn't be dripping wet and water will do just fine. This will help you to slide the transfer in place and manipulate it if it doesn't sit straight or becomes bent. Next place on the transfer and slide it off the paper backing using a paintbrush, which you'll then use to position it. Once it is dry to can apply a coat of varnish to seal it on, reduce the chance of it chipping and protect it. 

Whether you buy from a commercial printing company or make your own decals the process to apply them will be the same. However if it's quality you're after and you aim to compete with your model, a commercial company may provide better quality images. For more information, contact a business such as Accent Print & Copy.