Decals

[clayton86]

I got a rod I'm doing for a buddy and today he asked if I can put his name on it I said I wasn't sure how. So how do I is there a decal I can print off my computer with special paper or order some where. I'd say I could use a paint pen but my hand righting is atrocious.

[S Hovanec]

Contact Decal Connection. Deb and Chuck will be able to hook you up with a nice decal in whatever color you want.

[clayton86]

Thanks I'm checking out them now.

[S Hovanec]

Their decals are top notch.

[MickD]

Decal Connections is top drawer.  But if you just want to sign a rod, consider that your handwriting is what it is, and has character.  Did your dad write his name on his tools with a vibratool?  Mine did, and every time I use one I remember him and his character.  So your signature, even if you're not proud of it,  on the rod may be just the right answer.

 

To do that it is best to have a board with a groove in it to steady the rod and put the surface of the rod at the same level as your hand.  I have the best results with Bombay India Ink from Hobby Lobby or similar stores in an old fashioned nib/pen.  Smooth the point by rubbing it on fine sandpaper first, practice on the barrels of ball point pens, then just do it.  

 

Before you finish the signature, test one of your practice ones to see if the epoxy causes the ink to run or not.  You can spray with a fixative (clear fast drying from a hardware or craft store).  Then, depending on what you find, finish it appropriately.  

[MickD]

You can do decals on an inkjet printer, use OEM ink, not the refillable types (some fade FAST in the sun), get your media from Papillio, matte white vinyl is very good and prints well. Any simple graphics program can be used to design the decal.

 

BUT, the most reliable decal project will be a decal from a good source like decal connection.  But there is a significant setup fee which makes one of a kind not very palatable.

[S Hovanec]

 

BUT, the most reliable decal project will be a decal from a good source like decal connection.  But there is a significant setup fee which makes one of a kind not very palatable.

 

 

When I first started building, I just used text without any images and all I'd send them was a word document with what I wanted.  There was no set-up charge, unless things have changed.

 

Now I have a couple friends in the sign and graphics business and they prepare all of my artwork for Decal Connection to print.

 

If your graphics program creates a vector image, that is what is needed.

[MickD]

I apologize to Decal Connection if I was wrong on the setup charge.  If you can get what you think is an acceptable price on whatever you need, that's great.  I do decals myself, design them with complex graphics and sometimes photos, will have to check what Decal Connection will do.  I'd love to have them do my decals.  They not only have the advantage of colors that don't fade, but they can do colors that inkjets just cannot do, like white and metallics, all with great resolution.

[S Hovanec]

As long as it's vector, they will print it.

[Ozark_Basser]

Or you could just order a decal from mudhole with your stuff if you haven't already ordered it all yet. I just ordered one for my grandpa with his name on it. It was $7.50.

[FD.]

Or you could just order a decal from mudhole with your stuff if you haven't already ordered it all yet. I just ordered one for my grandpa with his name on it. It was $7.50.

 

 

That's how I do it.  I just got a batch in.  5.95 each.