Okay, was wondering what software you guys use for making or tweaking images of any kind to make decals? I'm running into a problem when I'm trying to resize a jpg file from the web using the junk MS app I have on my PC. Although it shows I've resized the image on the screen, when I send it to the printer, it prints a full size image on the 8X10 paper. :freak:

Thanks, rr

For working with a photo image (jpg file), Irfanview is hard to beat. It is a free download and I use it in place of Adobe Photodeluxe.

http://www.irfanview.com/

I mostly use it for resizing although it has a boat load of other features.

Hutt

Hutt,
thanks, will give it a try tonight at home! :thumbsup::thumbsup: rr

a good idea to print decals, is to use vectos graphics : they're are a lot sharper than bitamp ones (jpg, for example).

You can use Inkscape, it's free and open source. After that, just search on ebay "vector brands" or things like that ;)


for bitmap, you can use photofiltre, or gimp (open source) too.


bye ;)

RoadRunner,
I have a full Tutorial on creating your own Decals using Microsoft Word over on the Customs Board.
It may be a few pages back by now.

I'm writing up another full Tutorial for crating your Decals in PhotoShop.
Keep your eyes peeled.

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

I remember reading about using an app like CorelDraw and vector graphics instead of bitmaps but that was an article aimed at printing with an Alps printer. I have my own method that I use but is rather lengthy to describe. The actual exercise (and debate) of printing decals and how to do it aside, I have achieved great results simply using jpegs and resizing them in a word doc for printing.

Ligier,
Using jpegs and creating decals in Word is exactly what my Tutorial describes.
There's nothing wrong with this method and it will yield terrific results for anyone who does not have PhotoShop..

Here's my post from over on the HT Customs Board,
Titled, "Make Your Own Decals"

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=173405&highlight=Making+Decals


--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

When working in a paint program you also have to set the DPI for the image. Most printers are 300 DPI. Changing pixel size only affects the screen size. If you have the image set to 72 DPI it will print large and be blocky. Not sure if your MS app allows this but it should. Your best bet is to import any JPG or BMP images into an illustration program that will allow you to lay out a number of images for printing.

Here is how I did some decals using CorelDraw and clear address labels a few years ago:

http://www.supervipersystems.com/VargoSpeedway/HO_Tech/Making_Decals/making_decals.html

-Scott

Using the clear address labels is exactly how I acquired all the sponsor decals on the styrene walls around my track. Setting the print quality to "best" gave me some great "decals" to use without spending an ATM full of money.