Making your own custom decals is a good way to accurately create the image you want and use it to decorate walls, models or any other object. There are many ways to make decals; the one you choose depends on the time and money you have available, and on how practical you are in drawing and digital photo editing. Simple designs done on tracing paper can result in wall decals that add color and style to a large room, without spending too much money. For those who draw as a hobby or for work, it might be useful to invest in specific equipment for the digital creation of decals.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Making Handmade Design Decals
Step 1. Prepare the material
You will need sheets of white paper, sticky tracing paper, newsprint or wrapping paper, thick-tipped markers, and scissors.
- Making decals using tracing paper is less expensive than using a computer, and also requires less material.
- This method works well for simple designs that don't require detailed representations.
Step 2. Make a sketch of the design on white paper
You can also work on it using a photo editing program.
- For wall decals, first prepare a sketch of the room you want to use them in.
- Make sure the sketch is to scale and includes the furniture.
- If you use a program like Photoshop, you can take a photo of the room and add your design digitally.
Step 3. Try to estimate how much tracing paper you will need
To do this, refer to the relative size of your design relative to the room or object you will be applying the decal to.
- Tracing paper is available in various sizes and colors, both online and in DIY stores.
- Make sure you buy enough for the entire project, also taking into account any errors and scraps.
- If you are working on a large scale, it can be convenient to buy large quantities to save money.
Step 4. Prepare your scale drawing on inexpensive paper
You can use newsprint or wrapping paper.
- Tape the design to the wall, making sure the shape and size are to your liking.
- Pay particular attention to the corners, try to make sure that the drawing fits well in context and is oriented correctly.
- Make the appropriate adjustments until you are fully satisfied.
Step 5. Remove the paper from the wall
You will use it to bring the image back onto the tracing paper.
- Make sure the newsprint or wrapping paper is not torn or marred by the duct tape you used to attach it to the wall.
- Check one last time that the design is exactly how you want it.
- If necessary, make the final changes.
Step 6. Spread the tracing paper on a flat surface
The back of the card must face up.
- If the paper is very large and tends to slip, put weights in the corners.
- Place your design on top of the tracing paper.
- Trace the design onto the back of the tracing paper using a thick-tipped marker.
Step 7. Carefully cut out your design using sharp scissors
If your drawing is very detailed and has a lot of negative spaces, it would be best to use a precision utility knife.
- If you use a utility knife, remember to put a backing under the paper, so as not to scratch the work surface.
- The precision cutters are very sharp and slide easily out of your hands. Be very careful!
- Children should always be supervised by an adult when doing this.
Step 8. Transfer the adhesive tracing paper to the wall
Start with the base of your design, working your way up.
- Peel off the protective back of the card as you go.
- Go slowly to avoid creases and bubbles under the design as you pin it to the wall.
- Press firmly to make sure the sticky side of the tracing paper adheres to the wall.
Method 2 of 2: Making Decals with Computer and Printer
Step 1. Prepare the material
You will need a computer or graphics tablet, scanner, photo editing program, printer, adhesive vinyl paper, laminate sheets, laminator, scissors and / or a precision cutter.
- You don't have to use a graphics tablet, but it may be easier to retouch images using a finger or stylus rather than a mouse.
- An optional tool you can use is a Pantone color guide. This way you can standardize the colors you want to use.
- You can use this color guide to select a particular one, and then use the Pantone color feature in your photo editing program to achieve maximum print fidelity.
Step 2. Scan the image you want to use
If you are good at digital drawing, you could also directly draw in Photoshop or another graphics or photo editing program.
- Make sure you scan at the highest possible quality so that the drawing is not distorted.
- It is recommended that you scan at a resolution of 600 dpi, or in any case no less than 300 dpi.
- You can also use or modify an image found on the internet.
Step 3. Edit the decal using a computer
You can use a popular program like Photoshop or GIMP to do this.
- Adjust colors and shapes to your liking.
- Resize the image to fit the space you want to cover.
Step 4. Insert the vinyl paper into the printer
Make sure it is facing the right way - printing on the wrong side could make the paper unusable.
- If you are not sure which way to insert the card, test it first using plain white paper.
- Mark one side of the paper, make a print and check which side is used.
Step 5. Prepare the decal sheet
This way you can place as many decals as possible on one sheet.
- Make sure the designs don't overlap, as you'll need to cut them out later.
- This is a good way to avoid wasting vinyl paper, as it can be expensive.
- For this operation you can use a photo editing program.
- Print your sheet with the decals. Make sure you print it on the vinyl paper.
Step 6. Print the decal sheet on white paper
Check the colors, brightness and contrast to make sure the printed version gives the results you want.
- Sometimes the colors and shapes, once printed, don't look the same as when you viewed them on screen, so this step is very useful for checking that everything is the way you want.
- Make the appropriate changes to your design and print it again to double check.
- Hang this pattern on the wall or object you want to put the decal on, and make sure it fits.
Step 7. Print the decal sheet on vinyl paper
Make sure it is facing the right way - printing on the wrong side could make the vinyl paper unusable.
- If you are not sure which way to insert the card, test it first using plain white paper.
- Mark one side of the paper, make a print and check which side is used.
- If the printer ink does not remain on the vinyl paper, it means you printed on the wrong side.
Step 8. Laminate the page you printed using a cold laminator
Follow the laminator instructions to insert your image correctly.
- The laminator will protect the design and prevent the colors from fading.
- Press the laminated sheet onto the decal sheet, sticky side down. The protective side of the laminated sheet must be rolled up a few centimeters.
- Insert the laminated sheet into the laminator. In doing so, the protective side will gradually separate.
- Cut out unnecessary parts from the laminated sheet before inserting it into the laminator for better results.
Step 9. Cut out the decals and attach them to the object of your choice
You can do this by using sharp scissors.
- Carefully cut out the decals, trying to stay as close to the edges of the design as possible.
- Once the decal has been applied you can refine it using a precision cutter.
- Remove the protective side of the vinyl paper and glue the decal to the object of your choice.
