How to Make Scale Decals

Featured Tip: All Previous Next

By Josh Joung

This technique shows a simple way to make correctly sized decals for downscaled/upscaled rockets. The first step is to obtain a scan of the original rocket’s decals. Once they are obtained, open it in a picture editor. A common editor like Paint will work fine. In this case, the decal will be resized to fit a BT-5 downscale of the Estes M-104 Patriot. Now the scale factor must be obtained. A simple way to find out what it is: take the diameter of the downscaled/upscaled rocket and divide it by the diameter of the original rocket. Convert it into a percent. In Paint, go to Image and then Resize/Skew.

In the resizing section, enter the percent obtained earlier (make sure the percent is rounded to the nearest integer – Paint will not accept decimals) in both Horizontal and Vertical.

Now, click OK. The resizing is now successful and now can be printed and applied the rocket.

GUEST's OPINION:
"" (X.X.)

1. Finish
   Featured Tip: How to Make Decals - This technique shows a simple way to make decals, protect them, and apply them. Step 1)... more
2. Finish
   Decals - the real pain is that printers don't print white ink - so you will need a combination of white-backed paper as well as clear paper. There is also a decal bonder spray that is necessary - you get the decals wet to apply them so the ink must be bonded to the decal paper. This comes in a spray can. This all sounds painful but the good news is that you can usually find the decal paper and bonder at a place like Hobby Lobby. Testors makes both and they are both sold there. There are also decal papers sold online, but the same rules apply - since there is no 'white' ink you will need both kinds of paper. – K (TX)
3. Finish
   Featured Tip: Make Scale Lines on Missiles - I came up with this after playing around with some ideas on how to make scale lines on missiles. Paint can be tough to mask and Monocoat isn't exactly dirt cheap. So I tried Scotch... more