I am working on a custom HO Scale stream locomotive and I have run into a problem. The locomotive is black and I am working with custom artwork that contains white on a black background. The only way I have been able to get close to a satisfactory result of applying the decal is to print to clear, overlay on white then apply to the train components. The only problem is the density of the black. No matter how I set my printer it is not even close black the locomotive is painted. I have been thinking that I could use weathering to kind of blend away the fact that the blacks are different. I am hoping someone has some idea that can point me to a good direction on this problem. For the record, printing on paper or card stock looks fantastic. Printing on the decal film, whether printed directly on white or on clear then applying over white I get unacceptable results. Any help or advise is appreciated. Note: I cannot change the locomotive paint scheme as it is dictated by the project. I am attaching a picture of the parts I am testing with to show the results. Note2: This application is not the darkest I have but that one is not much darker than this. Thanks, T.E
I have always had to resort to sending my artwork off to a custom decal maker that uses the silk screen process to make white decals. May be more expensive but a lot less frustrating.
The place I use retains them but they are always on file. I have ordered reprints from old screens many years later.
It looks like the problem is the settings on your printer. I work in a small commercial print shop, and I've seen some major quality differences between (digital) prints on different kinds of paper stock at work. Specifically, we tend to see major quality differences between certain types of coated and uncoated stocks. If the test print was on uncoated printer paper or cardstock, your printer is probably optimized for uncoated paper. The decal film likely has a coating that interferes with the printer's ability to print using the uncoated (or plain) setting. If you look at the printer preferences menu for your printer, under paper type, you may be able to change to a setting that will allow the printer to adjust how it applies ink to accommodate for the film's coating. I'd consult the printer's manual as well, in case there's an easier way to print on different paper stocks, which may be easier than getting into the printing preferences every time you print decals. It's also possible your printer may not be able to print on the decal film. Some printers/copiers can't print (well) on coated stocks.
