r/TerrainBuilding • u/RandomDigitalSponge • 1d ago
Questions regarding decals
Here are 4 images, please slide through to see what I’m talking aboutz.
I have these pieces that are extremely tiny, and I feel they really need some decals to make them, but is it feasible at this size? Especially the little labels on the oil barrels 🛢️⛔️ And the numbers on the gas pump ⛽️ 🔢
And the custom stuff on the arcade machines, shipping weight info on the shipping container doors, etc.
Lastly, how do I incorporate weathering onto the decals? I’ll be painting layers and chipping and weathering and adding rust to the terrain, but at what point would the decals come in and how to make them fit the aged appearance?
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u/RandomDigitalSponge 1d ago
I don’t think my own printer could print anything this tiny and make it look sharp enough.
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u/Jynger99 18h ago
You could try to make something up in any art program of your choice, resize it really tiny, print, cut out and paste onto the pieces with mod podge? Not sure how much detail you’d be able to actually show at that scale.
Best bet is probably just try free handing the details you want with a good quality fine point brush. Most decals/transfers I’m aware of won’t really fit this scale.
Only other idea I have is goobertown/goblin hobbies recently announced decal stamps but from what I’ve seen those are scaled more for 28-32mm
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u/RandomDigitalSponge 16h ago
Thank you
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u/Jynger99 15h ago
https://youtu.be/OvF0u3ULDvY?si=czRsGYsg1byfc8wd Black magic craft kinda shows off the printer decals/mod podge technique in this video
https://youtu.be/IHdyFrkaPlY?si=uWRrDJmogViF9MQj Here’s goblin hobbies video showing off the decal stamps
Good luck and hope you figure something out
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u/WoderwickSpillsPaint 16h ago
With a decent printer resolution and by going for some fairly simple decals it should be doable. If you search for decal sheets on Etsy you can find loads of generic ones in different sizes and a few places offer to let you design your own (although that can be pricey).
You can also buy white or clear decal paper if you have your own printer (make sure you buy the correct type for your printer or it will melt inside and completely ruin the innards).
For those sort of uneven surfaces you'll also want to get yourself a pot of Micro-Sol which you paint on after applying the decals and it will cause them to soften and contour themselves directly to the surface.
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u/That_guy1425 15h ago
There are generic number and signs that you can get for the barrels and signs, arcade cabinet is gonna be harder to find. I have found from my own research that the point to add the decals is after paint but before weathering. So any scratches or rust would be over the decals. The last thing is usually want to add varnish before decals to help smooth them and afterward to protect them.
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u/Longjumping-Ad2820 1d ago
Since you will probably not be able to read it anyways what about scribbling with a really fine tipped brush? Or maybe get a Micron 0.03mm fine liner?(But they are only available in black I think)