Anybody have the ability to fabricate new decals?

truckntran · #1 11-21-2009, 11:27 AM

Before you pull those decals take a LOT of good pictures from dead straight on.......like was posted previously, digital pictures are what the sign shop will need to duplicate them. You will not be able to remove them and keep them from warping unless you know some magical technique I have never seen....

There are two ways of doing them....digital printing a picture of the decal on new decal substrate, or breaking up the decal into its individual colors and cutting each color out of appropriate vinyl. Digital printing is easier to get the decal into a printable file, vinyl cutting takes some software work and computer time to make cuttable files. However the digital printing equipment is hugely complex and expensive, so not all sign guys have access to it. I own a vinyl cutter myself, spent $300 for it years ago. But I don't have the software to convert a photo into a vector file to cut....yet.

Jeff122 · #2 11-22-2009, 06:24 PM

As truckntran said, good, digital pics from dead straight on before you try to remove them. The digital color printer is great, and the vinyl is durable. If necessary, I can do some digital repair to the pics to make them look as new as possible. But keep in mind, the quality and straightness of your pic is key.

klejeune · #3 11-25-2009, 11:15 AM

Or if you can scan the side of the unit wth a flatbed scanner that would work too.

Just call around to several sign shops in your area and ask what they can do. Shouldn't be too hard to find someone that can do it and cheap too. Some sign shops have the scanner if you can remove the side panel and take it in. If they don't have a scanner they may have a camera on a stand that will take dead on pics for them to use.

We have a Mutoh EcoSolvent printer here at work we have as a demo unit. I printed up some reproduction IH battery decals. Matt G. sent me an IH logo file to use. Worked out great.

thenrie · #4 11-25-2009, 11:26 PM

Now there's a good idea! I'll just take the side panel down to a sign shop and see what they can do for me. If that doesn't work, I'll at least see if they can scan it and put it on a disk for me. My flatbed scanner is too small. I'll also give it a shot with my camera. I have a decent digital camera, but I'll have to do it by hand. No tripod. I'll stick a measuring tape on it as well, to provide scale. I'll see if I can get something done on this next week and let you know. If I can't get it done locally, I'll get back to you (Jeff) and see if you can do it.

Thanks for all the responses.

Jeff122 · #5 11-28-2009, 06:53 PM

Sounds good. No pressure here. Which ever is the best way to go for you.
:biggrin2.gif:

Kequip · #6 06-11-2022, 08:16 AM

I had obsolete decals made for our dozer once . As everyone has already stated , good photos and measurements are key . I went to Poster Burner online, gave them photos and sizes . They were printed not stacked decals. Mind you they were not the thick base material your looking for , but I have never inquired to see if someone can print one different base stock. Good luck.

TheSaturnV · #7 06-11-2022, 02:28 PM

FWIW, if I was going to repro these, I'd take one of the best head-on photos, bring it into Adobe Illustrator and simply redraw the graphic right on top of the image. Would make a practically perfect repro and you'd have superior vector art for the printing equipment.

ironman · #8 06-11-2022, 03:14 PM

I have made my own logo's and decals such as the pictured examples.
I bought a variety of inkjet decal paper from this outfit,
https://duradecal.com/
They have clear adhesive vinyl or white adhesive paper.

I have used pictures I have taken myself or something I could copy from the net.
I size it to what I want and print.
When the ink is dry I cut it out and clear coat, sometimes before applying, sometimes after, depending on surface situation.