Decal Designer and Printing

[WarLycan]

I'm not sure if the subject has been discussed somewhere before but I'm curious if anyone has used a designer to build and print a decal sheet? There are a few sets I would like to get but an example would be:

 

I'm trying to build a A-6 Intruder with the markings of the squadron I was stationed with in Iwakuni, Japan in 1976. AOAdecals was designing a 1/32 set for VMA(AW)-332 Moonlighters sheet and it was perfect but they didn't follow through with printing the set.

 

I contacted AOA and they didn't really want to share the artwork. I can't really afford a printer that prints white.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks!

Edited May 25, 2022 by WarLycan
spelling

[Rob de Bie]

I took on Dave's assignment. He needed a small set of markings, since all the other decals are included in the kit:

 

a. BuNo (large) on vertical tail, white (2) b. BuNo (small) plus a/c type on rear fuselage, black (2) c. Modex numbers, black and white (2 each) d. Unit text on fuselage 'VMA(AW)-332 MOONLIGHTERS' (2) e. Unit tail markings: EA plus quarter moon (2)   Shown below is the first set I drew, using photos that Dave provided. I also used information from MIL-STD-2161C, that lists the prescribed sizes of the various markings, like 12" for the large BuNo and 30" for the unit letters.     I made a proof sheet, that Dave printed and tested on the model.     But then I realized we had made a mistake. Dave wanted to build a hi-viz era aircraft, but I had picked BuNo 161681 to replicate, since most photos showed that aircraft. But upon closer inspection, BuNo 1616181 was a low-viz aircraft, with a hi-viz tail. I went looking for another BuNo, preferably with a 509 or 09 Modex, and found this photo.     The set was revised one more time, with new BuNo and Modex, leading to the sheet shown here. Dave now wanted a double set, so all markings were doubled. I used the template that SpotModel provided for their printing service. The template uses purple to represent the decal film that is printed around each individual decal.     This project was done in one evening, with a total of two and a half hours spent on artwork and communication. It required some twenty back-and-forth e-mails to sort everything out. Communication is not to be underestimated in the time/cost calculation.   Outsourced printing is next, but that will take a few weeks.   Rob

Edited May 27, 2022 by Rob de Bie

[WarLycan]

I just want to add that Rob is very knowledgeable, professional and fast. He does quality work and is highly recommended. Thanks Rob!