Decal creations
Where is a great resource for creating your own decals? I've seen loads of ready made designs, but I'd like to design my own for my cars to be printed. Thanks!
Discussion
I made my track logo on a free Logo creation website, and then modified it a bit in paint. Final logo was done by an artist, Rust Belt Customs, which apper to no longer be doing decals.
- Josh Pauffler seems to have moved on to other pursuits. I haven't heard from him in a while, but he was bigtime into decals. — SpyDude
- I think i got the last set he did before closing up for good. — JBlotner42
Thank you guys, do you print your decals at home? And what decal paper would you recommend?
- I print mine from my home lazerjet printer, and the last few times I've used the Sunnyscopa brand; I assume other brands are fine, that's just the one that I found on Amazon when I searched "waterslide decal paper". I've used both the clear background and the white; I generally prefer the clear since the film is a little thinner, but sometimes the white is handy as the clear-backing can allow for a washed-out image if the car color isn't light. Keep in mind that printing with white ink requires a special printer, so any images you're likely to print will display the decal paper in place of white on your decals. Additional tip, I like to use Micro Sol setting solution to help the decal lay down and conform to the car. I bought my bottle like 2 years ago (small bottle lasts a long time) from a local hobby shop, but you can find it online pretty easily. — Moparius
I am a retired graphic designer, and still have an old copy of Adobe Illustrator that I use to create my own decals. I print my own inkjet decals at home. Sunnyscopa inkjet decal paper (I found on Amazon). There is a free app called GIMP that's like Illustrator and Photoshop combined into a basic program. I'm starting to train myself in that app for when my old copy of Adobe or my old iMac dies. Eventually I'd like to buy a color laser printer so I don't have to seal my decals before I apply them like with inkjet.
- I last tried GIMP years ago and I found it kinda werid coming from Photoshop. But I hear the latest version of GIMP is much better, so I should give it another go. — redlinederby
- Yeah, I just used it the other day and was able to use layers like Photoshop. It's a bit of a learning curve but if you know your basic Photoshop stuff and basic illustrator stuff, you should be able to pick it up. — FeralPatrick
- Thank very much, some great tips, much appreciated — Road_Runner_Rumble
- I make my own too. I use Photoshop, and usually get some ideas/graphics online, adjust them in PhotoShop and print, following Feral Patrick's suggestions for paper & sealing. Good luck!! — G_ForceRacing
- FeralPatrick. Retired Graphics Designer... Thats explains the beautiful work you put out. Your graphics are always top notch! — Zamak_Speed_Shop
- Thank you, I truly appreciate that. — FeralPatrick
Get an account on pixabay to get license free images in JPEG or SVG.
this site has corporate logos. You can download in SVG format. worldvectorlogo.com
I use an app on my iPhone and iPad called Vector Q to edit create and print decal sheets
I use MicroSoft word. Can create custom wording or just use images from the interweb. For example, an STP logo. Do an image search. Find what you want and save a copy of the image. Insert to Word and scale to the size you want. Copy and paste that for addition decals. When you print, always set to NO SCALING so it always prints the same size. Test print and tweak on regular paper until everything is sized right. Then print on decal paper. I buy the stuff from Hobby Lobby.
inkscape is what I use for decals, and title panels in my videos
free, very powerful tool. since it's a vector program, scaling up and down works very well
inkscape.org/
I mean, if you're looking for apps to help, Photoshop is probably the grandaddy but also quite expensive. I've used Pixlr to some success. It's web-based and has its limits but for most arranging, sizing, etc it is quite nice - and free!
Otherwise, I dare say AI could be a good way to start designs or at least get some inspiration. That might be a loaded subject these days but I've very much come around on it myself. I don't take things verbatim out of AI but it gives a really good scaffold to build on and tweak into your own thing (using other apps).