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  • Decals

    Decals, or Transfers, are a
    good means to spicing up the look of your models. Whether
    it be a squad marking, runic emblem or even kill scratches. As it is a
    bit hard for me to scan myself appling decals to a model, you'll have to
    go without pictures for this page. Sorry. But I'll try an describe the
    way that I do them as best as I can.
    are usually left as one of the last things that are added to my models.
    So the first and foremost thing I look at before appling a decal is where
    it is going to go. I find it best to work this out before I have even started
    painting, as then I will know that the paint should be a smooth an uniform
    as possible in this location. If you start to get lumps in your paint work
    they are going to be visible when lying underneath the decal, causing it
    to push up, and maybe even distort the position of it (mind you, your painting
    should be smooth anyways). Decals are best placed on large flat areas the
    aren't going to cause it to crease.
    The next
    thing to do is to have a glass of clean water ready to put the decal in,
    to remove it from the paper backing. One tip I can give you is to put one
    or two drops of dishwashing liquid into the water and give it a slight
    stir. This will help the decals slide off of the paper, escpecially from
    those decal sheets you've had lying around yoiur house for a long time.
    Just don't put in too much, otherwise you'll be up to your ears in bubbles.
    The next
    thing to do is cut out the decal, using a sharp hobby knife. If it is blunt,
    you risk tearing the sheet and possibly the decals. Make sure your cutting
    surface is protected adequately enough so as not to score it. A wad of
    news paper does it for me. I usally cut around the decal in a square or
    rectangle shape, keeping well clear of all the decals. Please do this carefully,
    so as not to slip and cut yourself. Just apply moderate pressure, and guide
    the knife carefully. You should come off injury free.
    Once it
    is cut out, I then use a pair of tweezers to hold onto the edge of the
    paper (not the actual decal) and immerse it in the water. After a one minute
    wait, the decal is usually ready to be applied to the miniature. Place
    the decal, still with the paper backing, onto a flat surface and use an
    old brush (which has also got water on it) to check and see if the decal
    is completely sliding around on the paper backing. If it isn't, just put
    it back in to the water with the tweezers for a few more seconds.
    Never try
    to force a decal off of the paper. You risk damaging it. Just make sure
    that the decals slides freely on the paper backing. Then I put a wet brush
    onto the surface where the decal is going to go, just to make sure that
    it is wet also. This helps sliding it from the paper backing to the figure.
    Just make sure that you have got the miniature in a good position to be
    able to put the decal on in the appropriate place. Then with the tweezers
    holding the decal in one hand and my brush in the other I continue forth.
    I rest
    a corner of the backing paper onto the area where the decal is going to
    go (this should be a wet surface as previosly mentioned). Then with the
    brush tip I push the the decal along the paper, off onto the wet surface
    of the figure. Now you can put down the tweezers and pick up the figure.
    The reason I wet the surface is because it also helps in sliding the decal
    around until it is in the desired position. So I use the brush to do this.
    A poke here, a prod there and I get the decal where I want it. Then I use
    a piece of absorbent tissue paper and carefull use the corner of it (for
    accuracy) to soak away any excess water. Once all the water is pulled away,
    I then use the flat surface of the tissue paper and carefully apply it
    the surcace of the decal and give a slight push or squeeze. This will pull
    out any water that is still sitting uder the decal. Voila. One decal complete.
    As most
    decals seem to have a glossy surface, this can be eliminated by your final
    coat of matt varnish.

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