Making Vintage Tool Box Decals

[lzenglish]

Has anyone mastered the art of making original looking decals for tool boxes they are restoring? I have several boxes that I have good example pictures of the decals I need to make, some need photoshop type touch-up help, and some are in perfect shape. I have a good HP ink jet printer, but need advice on a good program to use to touch up and size decals, along with what type of decal paper is best to use, and how to put it all together. Below are just a few vintage example decals of I have stored in my computer. Any Help Much Appreciated!

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[Bigplum]

Me too!

 

[BikerDad]

Start your search over at www.finescale.com Decal making is a important part of scale modeling. You'll have the advantage of not needing to significantly change the scale of your subject.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Thundermug on here makes them IIRC....

 

[lzenglish]

Start your search over at www.finescale.com Decal making is a important part of scale modeling. You'll have the advantage of not needing to significantly change the scale of your subject.

Thanks for the tip, but I did not see anything on that site that deals with custom decal work, did I miss it? I did learn in my re-searching, that in order to make "white decals" like the Kennedy Script, you need a special paper? This cannot be rocket science, so I will continue to look.

Wayne

 

[jakemac]

I'm not sure about special paper to make white letters on clear decal paper, but I do know that you need a special printer (expensive) that uses white ink. Home use printers don't use ink when "printing" white, they just leave the area blank.

To get around this, you need to use white decal paper, and create a backgound color that matches the boxes paint. Not easy, and may not match at all.

 

[RedRabbit]

I used to do a lot of modelling and have printed decals. You first need either clear or white (depending on your background) decal sheet. Don't use sticker paper, completely different! Then make sure the paper is the right type for your printer, inkjet or laser. I use Photoshop and illustrater but depends what you know/ are good at. Then scale (easy with adobe stuff) and print. Always print one, then when you get it right, two extras. Good Luck

 

[lzenglish]

Thanks for all the tips and advice! I'm going to make a trip to the "Hobby Lobby" hobby shop today, and see what they have in the way of the paper, and a computer program to do the work. I will report back if I find the secret formula.

Wayne

 

[BikerDad]

Don't expect to find much at Hobby Lobby. They're much more a craft store than modeling. Try to find a Hobbytown USA or check your phone book for hobby shops.

 

[Fretters]

A chap I know usually gets the local printer to make his decals up using this stuff:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=water+slide+transfer&btnG=Search&hl=en-GB&gbv=1

 

[espyking83]

Anyone who has made Vintage Proto (especially), Plomb,SK, Williams, or Wright decals please PM me.

 

[Carla]

I'd suggest that you ask on the 'OWWM' 'oldwoodworkingmachines' internet site, which you can find easily with a 'search'.

There are several of the folks there who re-make the decals used as brand names or logos on various old machines, and may well be willing to make tool company decals if they can have originals to copy.

cheers

Carla

 

[bart1]

WWP

(we want PLOMB)

 

[Strouty]

I hope no one will go all camarotoolman on us.

 

[zkling]

In for info. I need one for a late 30's craftsman box. I tried making decals once before and it did not turn out well.

 

[tedsters]

I asked a member the same question the other day a matter of fact it was Frank Lee, about making my own labels i would like to learn how to do it also.
nothing more ugly then a nice looking machine with a crappy badge

 

[RedRabbit]

If you live near Burbank,Ca I know a good shop called Burbanks House of Hobbies. I believe they also ship and are some of the greatest guys I know. I still stop by when I'm around (live around 20 miles away) to say hi even though I slowed down on modelling and have almost stopped.