The Best Ways To Create Great Looking Decals In The Fastest Possible Time

The best way to decorate your models, walls, etc. in your home is to create your own decals. There are many ways with which you can create an exact image of the designs that you want to incorporate in your decals. There are different methods of creating decals and the best one for you depends on the time you can dedicate for this task and the knowledge you have of operating various graphic and photo editing software. The easiest and the most popular way to creating your own decals is by using computers.

Some Of The Things You Will Need

Before you start to make your own decals, you must have a few things like:

Computer.
Photo editing software.
Plain White A4 Size paper.
Scanner.
Laser or Inkjet printer.
Laser and Inkjet waterslide decal papers.
Cold Press Laminator.

Procedure to Follow

Upload Your Image

First you must choose the image that you want to create as a decal. If the image is in print or drawing form, then the only way to access the image is to scan the image into your computer. However, the other way of arranging an attractive image for your decal is through the internet. If you are good at working with image editing software like Photoshop, then you can also draw the image directly in the software that could be later used for creating decals. The options are many and it is up to your talent and time, which one suits you best.

Edit The Image

After uploading the image to your computer the next thing you need to do is open it in a photo editing program. If there are any adjustments that need to be made in the color, shape, etc. then you should do it properly using the software. Usually doing these small cosmetic changes in the appearance of the picture does not need you to have much knowledge of the software. Basic knowledge is enough. You must resize the image so that it fits the size of the surface where you are going to use it.

Print The Decal

First you should print the decal on to plain white paper and verify that you are satisfied with the contrast, color, and brightness of the print-out. Obviously, if you are not satisfied then you should re-edit the image and repeat until you get a satisfying output of your selected image.

Make A Print With Decal Paper

When you are inserting the decal paper into your printer ensure that the paper is loaded in the right manner, so that it prints on the right side. If decal paper is printed on the wrong side, it would spoil the paper completely and it cannot be used in the future. Use good quality paper as it will help you when you make transfers of this decal to objects.

Laminate The Page

This is optional and you do not have to do this. You should use a cold press laminator to laminate the page. For laminating you must follow the instructions of the machine. Lamination would ensure the protection of the design and stop colors from fading.

Conclusion

If you are trying to create decals for commercial purposes then you should know that using licensed images is illegal. The steps given above would help you in making beautiful decals at home.

A lot of people are looking for fun hobbies that add value to their home and making great transfers that can be applied to many things is really fun. You can create your own decals using your computer and printer and you can even use white shrink plastic for really special crafts. The results that you will get from this will be very professional and you will be proud of your new designs. It is not an expensive hobby and the special paper is very easy to buy so there is nothing stopping you from getting creative.

View the original article here

Some Of The Fun Things You Can Do With Decal Paper That Are Easy To Create And Look Really Great

This refers to a special type of paper that can have a pattern or image printed on it then transferred it to a clean surface upon contact. This is usually done with the aid of water or heat. The decal is composed of layers from top to bottom. The top layer is made of a paper or a film-stock face on which printing is done. The adhesive layer follows the face stock layer on the bottom side. A silicon layer then follows and is applied to the upper side of the backing material. Finally, film lines form the last layer, which is the bottom layer of the label stock.

There exist different types of decal paper with each of them having distinct applications.

1. Inkjet Decals

With this type of decal paper, you can create your own water slide decals using an inkjet printer. You can also use this type to turn your own custom designs into decals. These decals can be applied to any smooth but non porous surfaces such as glass, metal, ceramic ware, wood carvings, furniture, candles, model airplanes and railroads, book covers, albums, and picture frames among others. Decorative inkjet water-slide decals make art projects easy to make and fun at the same time.

2. Laser Decals

You can use this type to make a water slide model decal for trains, planes, and also automobiles. You can also develop your own water mount model decal for models such as die-cast cars, ships, rockets, airplanes, model railroads and others. Water slip decals help in customizing models with logos, initials, signatures and signs. This makes a creative look original. Model decals can be printed using an Alps printer, a laser printer, or a color. It is important to note that this type of papers must be used as soon as the printer to be used is turned on. This prevents the paper from melting on the Fuser.

3. Tattoo Decals

This type is designed to create personal temporary and removable tattoos for the skin. This type of paper is fun and also easy to use and your own imagination level determines the level of creativity you get to. You can now make custom tattoos with different designs, artwork, and logos in a short time.

4. Ceramic Decals

This is a type of decal paper that can be applied on ceramic tiles, wood, metal, glass, acrylic, furniture, mirrors, and candles with the result looking just like an original art on any surface. The paper is also easy and quick to remove. They are not used on surfaces that wrinkle or fabrics that can be washed. It is also not preferred in the kitchen back splash area, shower, or walls. The major benefit of using this type of decal is that when you want to remove the decals, sponge, soap and water works well to give you back ceramic tiles as they were.

5. Sublimation Paper

This is a process where a dye printed image is applied to a coated surface such as metals, ceramics and clothing made of polyester. You only need the transfer paper, ink, heat, and pressure. The process begins with heating under controlled pressure and time. This type of designing only works on tiles, mugs, metals, and other ceramics which are made with special coating for them to accept the sublimation inks because you cannot apply the coating yourself.

If you are looking for a hobby that is craft based that will keep you happy for hours then there is no need to look any further. You can have great fun with decal paper which is available in inkjet, laser, tattoo and ceramic forms so that you can do wild things with them that are only limited by your imagination. You can decorate glass and ceramic ware, your furniture, your photo albums, model trains, cars and boats, and even yourself with the tattoo deal paper.

View the original article here

Why Every Artist Should Have A Website

Having a website is an essential part of being an artist today, in fact if you are an artist people expect you to have one. But many artists hesitate thinking that it's too complicated, too time consuming and too expensive. That was certainly the case in the earlier days of the internet but those days are long gone. Internet technology today has advanced so far that now anyone can build a website without any experience whatsoever, and with very little expense, or at no cost at all. Yes, that is right, there are places where you can set up a professional looking site yourself for free, and without much time or effort!

So there are no excuses why you as an artist should not have your very own place on the web. Just take a look at some of the benefits a website can bring to you as an artist:

It is a showcase for your art, making it accessible to a wider audience. It has the means to let your artwork be seen around the world by an endless amount of people in a way no brick and mortar gallery ever could.

An artist website can be used as a portfolio that is easily accessible to galleries and potential clients. No need to carry around a portfolio anymore, just hand out a business card and folks can browse your art from the comfort of their own homes.

Like the business card, it gives you the look of professionalism.

A website can help you connect with people who have a passion for your kind of art, making them feel like they know you and thus become potential clients.

A website is a remarkable marketing tool as it can help build your brand and identity as an artist. Your site is a way to help people discover your art, who otherwise didn't know that you or your art existed.

A website can be used to sell art, bypassing the need for gallery representation, in fact many artists sell only from their websites and have never used a traditional gallery.

A website gives artists who would never have a chance of getting into a gallery, a platform to show, promote and sell their art to people who would otherwise be beyond their reach.

If you still don't have a website for your art, what are you waiting for, isn't it about time you did?

E.Cereby is the author of HTML Made Easy and DIY Websites

View the original article here