Tom et al :?
The decals for my BITX40 were done using Ink-Jet Waterslide Decal paper.?
The end result is similar to decals that we all probably remember putting on plastic
model kits as kids.?
I do this for all of my projects and I found that the cheapest way to do this is to buy the paper
on eBay from China. What you want is the stuff with the clear (transparent backing) that comes in A4 sizing. There are sources for this stuff in letter size from the US but costs to ship to destinations outside of the US?is expensive. Every ink-jet printer sold in North American can handle A4 sized paper so it doesn't matter.?
The procedure is pretty simple. You use your favourite graphic/text editor to create and print a sheet of decals (you want some extras for each decal in case one rips during installation). After printing I recommend letting the ink dry for at least 12 hours. The sheet then gets a?couple of coats of clear Krylon spray to fix it?(remember ink-jet ink is water-soluble) and is allowed to completely dry overnight.?
I also spray the panels that the decals will be installed on with a thin coat of clear Krylon as it gives?
a better result and makes it less likely that you will tear a decal during installation. Everything has to
be very dry before you attempt to install the decals.?
The installation procedure simply involves cutting out the decals and immersing them individually in
a small bowl of warm water for about 20 seconds. Remove the decal from the water with tweezers and then ?then slide off of the paper backing onto?the panel with the help of a tooth-pick,
which can be used to position it.
You then carefully blot out the excess water & air bubbles with a tiny piece of paper towel. ?Repeat for all of the decals and then set it aside to thoroughly dry overnight. Once it is very dry you want to spray a couple of very thin coats of clear Krylon?over the top to keep the decals in place.
You can print in whatever colours your inkjet printer will support, which unfortunately normally doesn't
include white. ?
I usually do several prints on plain paper, cutting out the paper decals and?
moving them around on the drilled front and rear panels to get an idea of placement and making
sure I am happy with the fonts and sizing. The last print is on the actual decal paper, but only
once I am satisfied. As I mentioned previously since you have to print a full sheet of decals anyway
it is a good idea to replicate individual decals a few times on the sheet so you have spares
in case one gets torn during installation. ?
Cheers?
Michael VE3WMB?
P.S. You can get Waterslide Decal Paper with white backing instead of transparent.?
This would work on a smoked plexiglass enclosure, however the end result will look like?
stickers because of the white backing, which will be visible.?
N8DAH
Arvo W0VRA
Craig Wadsworth
Bob Benedict, KD8CGH