6.3 ) Custom Decals

Special decals produced by the modeler, usually on a color printer and blank decal paper. This paper generally comes in white or transparent background. Almost any kind of decal art or marking can be produced via this method. Steps below illustrates the decal customization procedure.

Step 1 : Select or create an artwork for decal printout. Sample below shows "Raid Hot Mama" bomber nose art. Will be changing this into a Spanish figther nose art titled "La Parchinita" (The little passion fruit).

Step 2 : Import graphic into Adobe Photoshop application for editing, removed "Raid Hot Mama" title, set background to transparent to remove any color hues.

Step 3 : Import graphic into Adobe Illustrator application for editing, insert "La Parchinita" (Little Passion Fruit) title in contrasting colors via text wrapping tool.

Step 4 : Finalized component placement in Adobe Illustrator, prepare item for graphic export into TIFF graphical format. TIFF-based file sizes are quite large, but does preserve raster graphic components upon export.

Step 5 : Once graphical details are exported and preserved in TIFF format, convert file into JPG format to optimize file details and size.

Step 6 : "La Parchinita" custom decal, printed on color inkjet printer onto blank decal sheet, placed on model depicting 1950s-era Venezuelan Air Force P-47 fighter plane.

Custom decals printed on color ink-jet printer onto plain decal sheet (transparent or white background).

Using a graphical applications, unique custom decals can be created, such as the Army Republic Vietnam Air Force (South Vietnam) insignias.

Plain decal sheets can be found with various vendors, such as Bel Inc., more info.