Quality generic and custom paint masks, vinyl decals, and dry rub decal kits for modellers.

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About Vinyl Decals . . .

Vinyl decals are the easiest way to decorate your model.  You will find that they are more popular for ARF models and semi scale aircraft.  Scale modellers will tend to use Paint Masks for their markings so the insignia can be painted.

Vinyl is a word that covers a very broad spectrum of materials.  Typically you will find the vast majority of decals commercially sold are produced from the same material as used on commercial vehicles and signs.  This highly durable product is between 50µ (microns) and 100µ thick. The vinyl is purchased in rolls and cut using a computer controlled machine similar to an inkjet printer, but instead of using inks, there is a small very sharp knife for a print head.  The blade runs up and down cutting the pattern into the vinyl, but not the backing paper.  They are incredibly fast and accurate (±0.01mm).    Decals that are made up of multiple colours are vinyls layered on top of each other.  You can get printed vinyl, but the colours are not as bright or durable as coloured vinyl.   The colour pigments in vinyl decals are fuel proof.  However, be wary of people advertising "fuel proof" decals as it leads you to believe that the adhesive is also fuel proof, and sadly that is simply not true.  It is reasonable to say that the adhesive is highly fuel resistant and certainly more resilient than the vinyl decals supplied with many ARF kits.

Graphtec vinyl cutter.

Vinyl can be used in a number of ways.  The most popular option is to add coach lines, numbers, and simple insignia to a model. The image opposite shows a 70µ red vinyl on my Harmon Rocket III.   Vinyl can be cut to produce highly detailed images, but I recommend that the designs remain as simple as possible to reduce the risks of damage.   Vinyl decals can be added very quickly to a model with the minimum of fuss.   For decorations that are small and highly detailed (many colours) it would be better to use a dry rub transfer.

Harmon Rocket III with my vinyl decals

Best uses for Vinyl.

I recommend vinyl for decorating ARF models and semi scale models that do not require a high level of accuracy.  I have re-decorated some ARF models, replacing the factory supplied decals with my own designs.  In future I will reproduce as many decals as I can for my new ARF builds as the colours are much brighter and there is no clear carrier film around the decals .  Coach lines in particular, finish a model well.

While decorations produced with vinyl are very effective, I don't recommend it for a serious scale model or for scale competition.