Alternative 4 Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 I would like to build the RNZAF Corsair NZ5350 "STRUGGLE BUGGY", but no-one makes decals for this aircraft. All I really need are the serials and cowling number and nickname as I can use Ventura decals for the rest. Does anyone know of a company which could design and print these for me? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob de Bie Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 Here are two lists of custom decal companies: https://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/models/decals.htm#custom All will do the printing for you, a few of them also offer doing the artwork design (it's usually listed). And that latter part is the expensive part, since it takes time and skill. I would not count on the cost being similar to a regular aftermarket sheet. Another factor: do you have decent photos of the aircraft? Working from vague low-res pictures is very difficult. I searched a bit for NZ5350 "STRUGGLE BUGGY" and found one photo.. I can hardly read the a/c name, let alone determine what type of lettering was used.. If you learn CorelDraw or Illustrator you can solve most problems yourself, that would be my best recommendation. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I can recommend JBOT decals from Canada and Draw Decal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 18 hours ago, Dutch said: I can recommend JBOT decals from Canada and Draw Decal. Dutch I believe JBot is not longer in business due to health reasons. His website is up but he is no longer making decals. Have fun modeling Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Mike, Hmm. That would explain his email reply a week or so ago. I hope he does better. Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 2 hours ago, Mike J. Idacavage said: Dutch I believe JBot is not longer in business due to health reasons. His website is up but he is no longer making decals. Have fun modeling Mike Mike, Do you mean William Burns of CanMilAir? R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
riffraff Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Both JBOT and CanMilAir have stopped for health reasons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 Hi Dutch I was talking about Jim from JBOT decals. He has decided to stop working in the decal business due to health reasons. I doubt that he will return. Although I have ordered from CanMilAir in the past, I don't know William Burns. Have fun modeling! Mike 22 hours ago, Dutch said: Mike, Do you mean William Burns of CanMilAir? R/ Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 As Riiffraff says, Canmilair is gone too........ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 (edited) I went with Bedlam Creations on a build I did for the Revell Monogram GB. They pretty much nailed it. Edited June 29, 2019 by WymanV no preview feature Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sierrascale Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 I did a handful of decal commission jobs. Soon realized that it was a ton of work with little return, other than to make somebody happy. The problem is most people are used to decals costing a couple bucks, as they are, as one guy told me, "just printed pieces of paper." So they don't want to pay much. True, but the hand drafted and layed out artwork is time consuming and keeping the old Alps printer stocked with ribbons gets expensive. So, a waste of time, from a business perspective. Bob at (the now closed) Sierra Scale Models Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob de Bie Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 30 minutes ago, sierrascale said: I did a handful of decal commission jobs. Soon realized that it was a ton of work with little return, other than to make somebody happy. The problem is most people are used to decals costing a couple bucks, as they are, as one guy told me, "just printed pieces of paper." So they don't want to pay much. True, but the hand drafted and layed out artwork is time consuming and keeping the old Alps printer stocked with ribbons gets expensive. So, a waste of time, from a business perspective. Bob, I could not agree more with you! The cost of custom decal work is almost always underestimated, as if it's the same as buying an aftermarket sheet. I find that attitude difficult to understand, and it usually stops me from offering the service - just like you. Artwork drawing, sizing for the model, communication with the customer, preparation for printing, it all adds up. Recently I did the sheet below. I spent four hours or more. Multiply that by your favorite hourly rate and you know the cost. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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