Decals copying technique..?

[hoakin1981]

So, after the local importer of Hobbyboss models here has confirmed that my order of a spare set of decals for my Los Angeles sub will take months with an "unknown" delivery time, i started looking for ways of copying all decals of my next builts before using them in case i mess one up during setting.

Apparently this (decal copying) is "a thing" but the how-to part is not that clear. The problem (at least for me) lies on the fact that normal household printers cannot print the color "white" and since 95% of all my decals are white this is a pickle..

Ok, i can try and find a local printing shop which normally should have the ability to print white and i can even provide them with the required A4 waterslide clear decals sheets.

However, i still need to provide them with a file to print and there lies the question. Has anyone perfected a process to scan a decal sheet in order to somehow basically copy it?

Thanks in advance

 

[Jim62]

Never had luck copying decals but you could look for some painting stencils and paint the markings.

 

[urumomo]

https://www.scalemodeladdict.com/threads/make-my-own-decals.15056/
https://www.scalemodeladdict.com/threads/printing-decals-at-home.13847/
https://www.scalemodeladdict.com/threads/need-advice-for-decals-on-white-paper.13733/
https://www.scalemodeladdict.com/threads/making-decals.12830/

 

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

The only way to get white is get decal paper with white backing, not clear. The downside is you’ll have to trim/cut exact on the color edges.

 

[hoakin1981]

Thanks for all replies. Unfortunately, the white decal paper would work only if said decals were "consecutive" so without gaps which is not the case...

 

[BGilbertSound]

There is someone who offers ALPS printing services, though it's pretty pricey. I have started scanning all my decal sheets, just to have a starting point in case they shatter. I build mostly cheap, old kits, and these have ancient decals that often have problems.

I take the cheap/old approach because I rarely/never finish a model without some kind of screw-up. I have some really nice kits in the stash that I haven't started because once I'm done with them, they won't be really nice anymore.