Plasic car tops

[OPARENNEN]

I just bought a package of the clear velum sheets (normally used to created overhead projector slides) from Staples that some builders are using in place of paint. The idea is to find pictures/designs/etc., copy them onto the sheets (normal PC printer) and then paste them on the car in place of paint.
Questions:
1. Will this method work with a Cannon Ink Jet printer?
2. Where are good locations to get pictures or designs to transfer to the printed sheets?
3. Can you print just a solid color?
4. Can you print a design or color, and then enter works, alphabetic names, or other pictures on top of the previously printed slide? Or do you have to use Photoshop to do this?

Any advice to the above questions would be appreciated. Either answer this forum post, or PM me.
Thanks
OPA

 

[GravityX]

I just bought a package of the clear velum sheets (normally used to created overhead projector slides) from Staples that some builders are using in place of paint. The idea is to find pictures/designs/etc., copy them onto the sheets (normal PC printer) and then paste them on the car in place of paint.
Questions:
1. Will this method work with a Cannon Ink Jet printer?
2. Where are good locations to get pictures or designs to transfer to the printed sheets?
3. Can you print just a solid color?
4. Can you print a design or color, and then enter works, alphabetic names, or other pictures on top of the previously printed slide? Or do you have to use Photoshop to do this?

Any advice to the above questions would be appreciated. Either answer this forum post, or PM me.
Thanks
OPA

I'm sure an Ink Jet printer could work for this, but I would be afraid of smudging. A laser printer may be better for this, just speculating.

A Google image search could bring up some good pictures.

I'm sure if you had some editing software you could create a solid color image. Try PhotoScape, it's fairly easy and it's FREE! This will allow adding print to your photo before printing.

 

[W&K Creations]

I used a brother inkjet printer and while it works fine, I can say that the colors are not as vivid on the printed sheet as they are on the computer screen (I am likely stating the obvious LOL)....and at least with these ink jets, the surface of the sheets become kinda rough and a bit tacky (which is an important point which is to let it dry thoroughly before handling or risk smudging.

I just typed in the name of a pic or design into google and then searched in images to find stuff but I gather there are sites that offer specific pictures you can download....

I never tried a solid color....again what ever colors I printed often were a lot lighter or duller than what it looked on the screen...even with my putting down a white primer coat as a backdrop....

if your going with a solid color (and you don't care about transparency) id stick with just soild colored monokote....I just got a bunch of different colors and these sheets have the adhesive backing so no having to use a heat gun to make it stick....like putting down a sheet of colored tape....pretty easy....

to add letters and pictures over a previous design id gather ud either have to use a photoshop or other similar software tool to create these overlaid pics, or if your pretty good at being precise, throw the first pic on the sheet first, then just put the sheet back into the printer after its dried and print the second design right over the first.....again, just have to make sure the figures and sheet is aligned the same way but id think that would work.....

 

[GravityX]

As an example I used PhotoScape to add the lettering in my Avatar.

 

[Bullet]

I made a few cars with monokote, and then added car names using cut out waterslide with the text. You can then spray a thin clear coat over that to smooth it out and keep the waterslides on, makes it look a little better.

 

[bracketracer]

Not really what you're asking about, but have you seen the video of the guy transferring inkjet images to wood? I'm going to try this.
http://youtu.be/Zq2O66QGCwg

This might be lighter than Kinser's Sharpie!

 

[KC Racing]

Bracket very cool. I am anxious to see the car you build and use this method on.

 

[The Iceman]

Hey OPA, your post nudged me to get something out there on car cover labels so I wrote one up under Building Tips. Sorry I can't help you out on clear velum sheets.

http://www.pinewoodderbyonline.com/post/car-cover-labels-7005562?pid=1283656381#post1283656381

To answer some of your questions since I'm sure its almost the same as to what I'm doing.

Questions:
1. Will this method work with a Cannon Ink Jet printer? I don't know
2. Where are good locations to get pictures or designs to transfer to the printed sheets?
Google Images
3. Can you print just a solid color? I'm sure
4. Can you print a design or color, and then enter works, alphabetic names, or other pictures on top of the previously printed slide? Or do you have to use Photoshop to do this? You don't need Photoshop but you could even use Word, I"ll have to play with it a little and see what I can come up with.

I just updated my other link with word 'How to'

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I use Avery Self-Adhesive White Shipping labels to print the graphic on.

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Labels/Shipping-Labels/White-Shipping-Labels_05165.htm

To protect the graphic (inkjet or laser printed) from smearing, I cover it with Avery Self Adhesive Clear Laminating sheets.

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/General-Supplies/Sheet-Protectors/Laminating-Sheets_73601.htm

I just use MS Paint to scale the graphic. Any editor will work. Don't worry about getting it to 1 3/4 in. by 5 in.; Just scale it somewhat and cut it to size with scissors. You can also use clear packing tape instead of the Laminating sheets to protect the graphic.