Exactly. Which is why so many products people say they "want" never get produced. Go ahead and tell Microscale you want SP&S passenger decals in N Scale. They may run a minimum of 250 sheets, but let's say they only have to sell 100 to make good money on them. They won't sell anywhere NEAR that. They'll be lucky to sell 20, and they know it. I'm not complaining (regarding my own situation). I made my steam decals because I needed them, and over time, I'm just hoping I can break even. But Microscale can't work like that. They are a business. They have to make money.
Would be interesting to know how the recent SP&S car run sold. Also just how many SP&S modelers are out there. There is a fair number in HO but never had a good handle on how many in N scale. Although it was worth it to Microscale to produce the diesel decals and the freight set. Problem with the passenger cars is that somebody will end up doing just the broad stripe scheme and probably ignore the four stripe scheme. Yet cars carried the four stripe right to the end of the SP&S along with the broad stripe and the original green with no stripes. A sheet with all three possibilities would get the most bang for the buck as it would cover all the eras.
John I wholeheartedly agree. Especially if we can get an HO-scale sheet size with the full-length stripes!!! Also, anecdotally; I surf a lot of sellers and I'm on Ebay a lot too (buy low, sell high; it pays for my '66 Plymouth's upkeep!). I see very few of those Centralia SP&S cars, and none of the big retailers have any real stock left. I have a feeling they're actually in demand! Darn fine cars to boot.
Max, I would put $ into an SP&S passenger decal run (I am sure a lot of dudes would). How much does it cost to get a "run" done? Also, see my email. I want some of those steam decals.
How much it costs to get Microscale to do a run of decals depends on how many colors and how much fix-up work they need to do on your artwork. A single-color sheet, with no artwork by them would probably come in under $200 (but please... I cannot speak for them, so you are best advised to send them your art and get an actual quote if you really want to know). Each additional color adds money, and any work by their art department adds money. I will not discuss how much mine cost me, but I can tell you it was way over $200. Considering that you get 250 sheets (that is their minimum run), it is a very good deal. The problem is .... good luck being able to sell 250 sheets to make back your investment!
Interesting! Perhaps you could contact Walthers and see if they'll take your overrun. Even if you break even, it's a good way to disseminate the info about the decals to everyone who isn't around these forums? Also, maybe a small ad in the back of MR & the three N scale mags.... lots of folks probably would buy these on a whim knowing they'll eventually be gone forever...
Additionally, I recently picked up a set of gold-lettering for NP pullman cars (pre-1947) and they are sharp and clear and quite a set... for $25 a sheet they oughta be, but there's no reason a small-batch decal guy couldn't do the job if artwork was done! (not my strong suit)
