Decals for draft markings

[g8rfan]

Hello All,
Does anyone know a good source for draft marking decals for ships. I need markings for the 1/96th scale USS Constitution I am currently building. All I have been able to find are ones in block letters like on a modern battleship. I need script numerals that are 1/16th" in size

[paul ron]

have you considered using water slide decal paper than you can print your own via an ink jet or laser printer?

 

https://www.amazon.com/water-slide-decals/s?k=water+slide+decals

 

 

[g8rfan]

That would be ideal, but I don't have a printer that will print in white. I have found train decals for boxcar that have nearly correct font. HO scale is 1/87 which is pretty close. Unfortunately it means cutting out individual numbers that are 1mm tall and applying them one at a time

[paul ron]

oh u need white. that creates a different problem. ive made waterslide decals using my caligraphy pens n inks, i needed gold type.

 

i coated the decals with clear satin acrilic spray before soaking in water to preserve the ink from running. perhaps try doing this using white acrilic paint on the print side of the paper? 

 

 

[g8rfan]

Thanks Paul

As much as I love making my own stuff, I don't think I could consistently makenumbers or letter that were 1mm in size. A good techni www he though that I will keep in mind for other things

[jim Landis]

I think HIS Models (one of our sponsors - see right sidebar) has decals for this.

[Dr PR]

I have had problems finding the right size and color decals for various types of markings. This prompted me to find another way to make the markings.

 

I found rub-on letters and numbers in the correct font (that can be a challenge in itself). To get the final markings:

 

1. Paint the hull with the desired number color (white) around where you want the markings. Let the paint dry thoroughly.

 

2. Place the individual rub-on numbers where you want them.

 

3. Paint over the letters with the background hull color. Let the paint dry thoroughly.

 

4. Use masking tape to lift the rub-on numbers.

 

Viola! White numbers on the hull-colored background!

 

This has many advantages. Decals can yellow over time. Rub-on letters are too thick. The painted letters are as thin as the layer of paint, and paint doesn't yellow (at least not as fast as decals).

[g8rfan]

Thanks Phil

That is a neat trick. Would never have thought of using a negative image

[paul ron]

9 hours ago, Dr PR said:

I have had problems finding the right size and color decals for various types of markings. This prompted me to find another way to make the markings.

 

I found rub-on letters and numbers in the correct font (that can be a challenge in itself). To get the final markings:

 

do you have a link to where you got your rub on letters?

 

 

 

[JKC27]

BECC  makes depth markings in all sorts of scales, variations.......  I have ordered and used their depth markings for my big laker models.  Might be worth checking out....

 

http://www.becc.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d22.html#p260

[bruce d]

9 hours ago, Dr PR said:

2. Place the individual rub-on numbers where you want them.

From experience: this works very well but DON'T burnish/rub down the numbers. Just set them in place, press gently and lift away the carrier sheet. 

Don't ask me how I know. 

[CCClarke]

I highly recommend this guy: Josh at BedlamCreations.com.  He's my go-to guy for waterslide (white) draft marks.  I told him what font I needed, and he scaled multiple sets for me.  Easy to work with and reasonable pricing.

 

CC

[Dr PR]

Paul,

 

I have used ordinary rub-ons from Staples/Office Max, model railroading lettering and who knows what else. You just have to search around until you find the right font and size. Fortunately, the color of the rub-ons doesn't matter.

 

I should also add that I get the best results with light layers of paint from an airbrush. Heavy layers may build up a ridge of paint around the letters. But this can be removed by CAREFULLY scraping with a knife or rubbing with very fine sand paper.

 

If you do not burnish the lettering to press it into any surface details you may get paint bleeding under the lettering. A safe way to avoid this problem is to first paint over the rub-ons with the lettering color. If it bleeds under the letters it isn't a problem. This will seal around the letters so the background hull color can't bleed under them.

[paul ron]

the rub ons are hard to find in typesets or sizes let alone color.

 

ive had pretty good results with the water slide. the paper is semi transparent so i trace the lettering off the plans using pen n ink. it would be great to find the rub ons we need. im all for the easy way out whenever i can. 

 

i hope everyone posts their sources here?

 

 

 

 

[JKC27]

9 hours ago, paul ron said:

the rub ons are hard to find in typesets or sizes let alone color.

 

ive had pretty good results with the water slide. the paper is semi transparent so i trace the lettering off the plans using pen n ink. it would be great to find the rub ons we need. im all for the easy way out whenever i can. 

 

i hope everyone posts their sources here?

 

 

 

 

I don't mind Woodland Scenics dry rub for maybe putting the name of the ship but I cant imagine doing depth markings...that would be a test of patience I am not interested in tackling.