Homemade Graphics Options

[10gauge]

Is there a viable homemade option to printing one's own decals?...
Is there a clear transparency designed to print your own graphics on an inkjet printer?...
If there are such transparencies, can they withstand a clear coat after placement without smearing?...

If it exists, it would be a cheap, easy, predictable, and quick way of detailing your boat!

[Jimmy Sterling]

I have tried this many times before using an inkjet printed and transparent sticker paper. The stickers once printed then need to be sprayed with a clear coat to stop the ink running. Nearly any picture from the internet that can be copied and pasted into MS word can be used, I did flames, skulls, nearly anything that looked

Sure the boat looks for about the next 2 weeks, but after that no matter how much clear you use, the ink will start to run . Also hatch tape will ruin them sraight away and when the ink does run it goes all over the area of the boat where the sticker was placed . I only make them now to decorate my toolboxes and items that dont get wet. I dont recommend doing this, it is far more conventional to get someone like Eyecandyboats to do them with the proper equipment, it will save you alot of frustration in the long run. But it does work well for detailing on scale boats.

[G Doggett]

I have successfully protected printed grafics on my boats by covering them with a clear vinyl cut fractionally larger so that it will seal the edges as well as the surface.
For example the word 'Victory' on my gas cat was airbrushed in multiple colours fading from red to orange and then sealed with this clear vinyl to protect it from fuel and water.
I have found for a complicated multi colour logo this method works fine, but for simple one or two colour designs its best to cut them from vinyl.
Graham.

[kssi]

if you send me a good file of what you want i will make them out of vinyl for you. real cheap plus shipping.

[kssi]

if you send me a good file of what you want i will make them out of vinyl for you. real cheap plus shipping.

search brandsoftheworld.com for files great website.

[Scott T]

I've used Avery clear sticker sheets, but only in a laser printer. They hold up extremely well once clear coated (I've done about 4 or 5 boats with them, all still good).

I simply do the design in MS Word to A4 size, and print them out.

Downside is that they only work well on light base colours, and you need access to a colour laser printer.

[10gauge]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try the laser printer approach first. On some graphics I may just have to pay you kssi to have it on vinyl. Thanks for offering the service!