Best way to use white in decals?

[hicksdesign]

Hi folks, first post!

I've been reading through all the posts I can here, but I'm still not sure I've found the answer. I've only just started Minifig customisation, and I've been trying some different techniques for applying custom artwork onto minifigs.

I've tried painting with acrylics, and while I have a pretty steady hand, it just looks wrong. I've found a fine tip permanent marker good for simple lines, but that's all. Tonight I tried using adhesive glossy photo paper, but the black areas just rub straight off, and the paper is too thick (135gsm)

From reading here, it seems that waterslide paper through an inkjet printer is the best way to get a proper Lego looking decal, but obviously this doesn't print white areas. I'd love to know what techniques people use to get white onto minifigs. Thanks!

Meant to say - I will of course share the decal artwork once it's done (I'm working on a series of Dr Who minifigs, and a Tardis)

[LuxorV]

Hi hicksdesign, welcome to Eurobricks!

It's a common problem when starting the decals' deigner work: you need to find the right colours' chart for your job. If you take a look at the one shown in this topic, you'll notice that the trick is to use not white, but white-ish.

In fact, as you probably know, white is read as clear (or non-print) by most printers/programs. So, you have to give it just a hint of grey to get it printed. As far as we have seen in the past years from various decal designers and users, the white-ish listed in the chart is matter-of-factly unrecognisable from actual white.

Hope this helps you, and will be waiting to see your designs

LuxorV

[hicksdesign]

Thanks LuxorV!

The thing is that light grey/whitish on a waterslide decal won't print a solid light colour. For example, I've got a black torso, onto which I want to print a decal of a black dinner jacket and white shirt/bow tie/waistcoat (for this little chappie: http://www.freewebs.com/marthajonesfan/Ban...alatta%202.jpg). Light grey wouldn't get the solid white that's needed for that, or would it? Here's a screenshot of the artwork I'd made for it: http://hicksdesign.co.uk/else/images/decal...0310-092151.png

Obviously, I could use a white torso, and then try and make the rest black, but I'm not sure that would look good either and there are many instances where I can't use a white brick as the background. Does that make sense?

Edited March 10, 2010 by hicksdesign

[LuxorV]

Thanks LuxorV!

The thing is that light grey/whitish on a waterslide decal won't print a solid light colour. For example, I've got a black torso, onto which I want to print a decal of a black dinner jacket and white shirt/bow tie/waistcoat (for this little chappie: http://www.freewebs.com/marthajonesfan/Ban...alatta%202.jpg). Light grey wouldn't get the solid white that's needed for that, or would it? Here's a screenshot of the artwork I'd made for it: http://hicksdesign.co.uk/else/images/decal...0310-092151.png

Obviously, I could use a white torso, and then try and make the rest black, but I'm not sure that would look good either and there are many instances where I can't use a white brick as the background. Does that make sense?

Now I get the point. Yes, it does make sense, and it's a typical problem of the clear decal paper: dark bricks will strongly influence the colour result. The only solution I know of is using white decal paper in these cases. Then again, you may face the problem of the paper influencing the dark colours (making them look lighter).

I'm not aware of a 'final' solution for these questions. If anybody else will have further advice to share, we'll all improve our knowledge on the matter

LuxorV