How do you cut decals?

[skom25]

Hi,

How do you cut decals?

Straight lines are obvious: knife + ruler.

What about more complicated shapes? For a years in different hobbies, I used really sharp hobby knives, mainly from Olfa.

However, it seems to not work perfectly in RC decals. I started to think about scissors and even found, that Tamiya has something:

https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74031/index.html

[Verskis]

I use curved nail scissors. The same scissors that I also use for lexan bodies.

[wtcc5]

I work with Tamiyas 69943 and 74040 blades. Through turning hand and cutter I can cut all round shapes down to a radius of about 5mm. If radius is smaller it becomes difficult, even with a new blade. Then I switch over to make very short straight cuts (one cut, then turn the sheet, and so on), to prevent the sticker layer from lifting.

These very small roundings are also a nightmare with curved scissors, so hobby knife with a new blade is my way.

[Twinfan]

Curved scissors for curves, knife and ruler for straight lines.

[Mad Ax]

I've used a Swann-Morton scalpel for several years, the blades are cheap and come in packs of 100 (I'm still on my first pack) - easily the best knife I've ever used, better than any craft knife or gimmicky hobby knife in my experience.

Generally I can follow the radius down to a certain point, but then like @wtcc5 I will make a series of small straight cuts to get around tighter sections.

I'll use a new blade for each new decal sheet, as I also use the knife on my workbench for all sorts of brutal things so it's generally not in good shape at any given moment.

I use pointed-tip blades but a friend of mine swears by curved blades both for trimming bodies and cutting decals.  I've never tried them, perhaps I should?

[skom25]

4 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

I've used a Swann-Morton scalpel for several years

I do not see this now, but many years ago, I bought 100 pcs really cheap, because they were Non Sterile anymore. It was around 5 Euros, maybe less for 100 pcs.

[Juggular]

I came across this video about a guy in Kyushu, Japan.

He has been painting and selling shells for decades. (Mr. Maruoh?)  

He uses a special swivel head knife.  It can cut curves with greater ease.    

Since I'm so easily influenced, I had to get it myself.  (NT Cutter, "SW-600GP")  I forgot how I bought it.  Maybe ebay.  I haven't even used it yet. 

I suspect that it does not turn 90 degrees on a dime.  But more like a gentle few degrees.  But that little angle could help a lot.   

So these are what I use.  The yellow Olfa design knife is what I have been using for years.  Maybe the swivel head would replace it.  

Very rarely do I use scissors (almost never).  I feel they are a lot clunkier than design knives. 

But if you prefer to use scissors, Fiskars sell titanium non-stick scissors.  

Stickers and tapes stick to the blades less.  I got them for $7 two years ago, but now they cost $14!  (Steel is stronger per volume, so I don't know why they made them out of titanium... Oh... it's perfect if you want them to wear out faster. Planned obsolescence=built to not-last. Since stickers aren't hard material, they should be fine. I would not use titanium blades to cut lexan shells.)  

I'm tempted to try these $2 cross stitch scissors. They might work just as well as Tamiya's $25 scissors. 

Scissors were invented 3000 years ago. They don't have to cost $25.  

https://www.temu.com/stainless-steel-retro-embroidery-scissors-cross-stitch-scissors-student-office-household-scissors-hand-thread-scissors-small-scissors-sewing-scissors-g-601099573595936.html?_oak_mp_inf=EKCevLSm1ogBGiBkODk2NmY3NmZmNzc0ZGIxYTVlY2IwODA4ZjhkNWRkNyDE2rHpmTI%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2Fb0676a39-7cdd-4534-9953-0f3260644f24.jpg&spec_gallery_id=2128512451&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MTI4&_oak_gallery_order=801447246%2C2089435375%2C1337204265%2C454966074%2C1592242810&search_key=cross stitch scissors&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_sessn_id=8xvv53s3ms&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1724918820685_5f7iwqd6jy

Or something curved.

https://www.temu.com/1pc-elbow-shear-stainless-steel-embroidery-scissors-with-raised-head-cross-stitch-curved-small-scissors-tailor-clothing-thread-scissors-g-601099514166461.html?_oak_mp_inf=EL35kJim1ogBGiBkODk2NmY3NmZmNzc0ZGIxYTVlY2IwODA4ZjhkNWRkNyDE2rHpmTI%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2FFancyalgo%2FVirtualModelMatting%2F9cd49ef81a1db7f1724696ec9dcb19c2.jpg&spec_gallery_id=15624513&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MjYx&_oak_gallery_order=1153954427%2C632084395%2C2135834178%2C723450134%2C683339863&search_key=cross stitch scissors&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_sessn_id=8xvv53s3ms&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1724918820685_5f7iwqd6jy

And I've been eyeing on scalpels too.  

https://www.temu.com/precision-craft-hobby-knife-set-2-stainless-steel-handles-with-20-replacement-blades-11-23-industrial-grade-carbon-steel--for-electronics-repair-carving-diy-projects-assembly-required-g-601099598156834.html?_oak_mp_inf=EKKol8Cm1ogBGiA5NmFmN2VjNTE5ODI0ODZhYTgwNDFiOTE2YmZjYWZjMSD3j%2BXpmTI%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2F04a89d3d-d85e-4f4d-98bc-e8053aec19a2.jpg&spec_gallery_id=2235403268&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MjA2&_oak_gallery_order=1326820604%2C1370819309%2C1151581708%2C885629905%2C105072236&search_key=scalpel&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_oak_multi_spec_goods_sold=1&_x_sessn_id=8xvv53s3ms&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1724919663054_efdmviptk3

I'm not associated with these sellers, by the way. 

I'm just cheap. 

 

[alvinlwh]

Nail scissors from pound shop works fine. No need for fancy coatings on the expensive item from Tamiya. A quick wipe every now and then with lighter fluid cleans any gum up. 

For really small stickers and sometimes tight sharp curves, I do not cut right down to the edge as sometimes more adhesives is better to keep these weak points on the sticker reinforced. If not they may lift/peel easily. 

[skom25]

15 minutes ago, Juggular said:

I came across this video about a guy in Kyushu, Japan.

He has been painting and selling shells for decades. (Mr. Maruoh?)  

He uses a special swivel head knife.  It can cut curves with greater ease.    

Since I'm so easily influenced, I had to get it myself.  (NT Cutter, "SW-600GP")  I forgot how I bought it.  Maybe ebay.  I haven't even used it yet. 

I suspect that it does not turn 90 degrees on a dime.  But more like a gentle few degrees.  But that little angle could help a lot.   

So these are what I use.  The yellow Olfa design knife is what I have been using for years.  Maybe the swivel head would replace it.  

Very rarely do I use scissors (almost never).  I feel they are a lot clunkier than design knives. 

But if you prefer to use scissors, Fiskars sell titanium non-stick scissors.  

Stickers and tapes stick to the blades less.  I got them for $7 two years ago, but now they cost $14!  (Steel is stronger per volume, so I don't know why they made them out of titanium... Oh... it's perfect if you want them to wear out faster. Planned obsolescence=built to not-last. Since stickers aren't hard material, they should be fine. I would not use titanium blades to cut lexan shells.)  

I'm tempted to try these $2 cross stitch scissors. They might work just as well as Tamiya's $25 scissors. 

Scissors were invented 3000 years ago. They don't have to cost $25.  

https://www.temu.com/stainless-steel-retro-embroidery-scissors-cross-stitch-scissors-student-office-household-scissors-hand-thread-scissors-small-scissors-sewing-scissors-g-601099573595936.html?_oak_mp_inf=EKCevLSm1ogBGiBkODk2NmY3NmZmNzc0ZGIxYTVlY2IwODA4ZjhkNWRkNyDE2rHpmTI%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2Fb0676a39-7cdd-4534-9953-0f3260644f24.jpg&spec_gallery_id=2128512451&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MTI4&_oak_gallery_order=801447246%2C2089435375%2C1337204265%2C454966074%2C1592242810&search_key=cross stitch scissors&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_sessn_id=8xvv53s3ms&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1724918820685_5f7iwqd6jy

Or something curved.

https://www.temu.com/1pc-elbow-shear-stainless-steel-embroidery-scissors-with-raised-head-cross-stitch-curved-small-scissors-tailor-clothing-thread-scissors-g-601099514166461.html?_oak_mp_inf=EL35kJim1ogBGiBkODk2NmY3NmZmNzc0ZGIxYTVlY2IwODA4ZjhkNWRkNyDE2rHpmTI%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2FFancyalgo%2FVirtualModelMatting%2F9cd49ef81a1db7f1724696ec9dcb19c2.jpg&spec_gallery_id=15624513&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MjYx&_oak_gallery_order=1153954427%2C632084395%2C2135834178%2C723450134%2C683339863&search_key=cross stitch scissors&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_sessn_id=8xvv53s3ms&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1724918820685_5f7iwqd6jy

And I've been eyeing on scalpels too.  

https://www.temu.com/precision-craft-hobby-knife-set-2-stainless-steel-handles-with-20-replacement-blades-11-23-industrial-grade-carbon-steel--for-electronics-repair-carving-diy-projects-assembly-required-g-601099598156834.html?_oak_mp_inf=EKKol8Cm1ogBGiA5NmFmN2VjNTE5ODI0ODZhYTgwNDFiOTE2YmZjYWZjMSD3j%2BXpmTI%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2F04a89d3d-d85e-4f4d-98bc-e8053aec19a2.jpg&spec_gallery_id=2235403268&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MjA2&_oak_gallery_order=1326820604%2C1370819309%2C1151581708%2C885629905%2C105072236&search_key=scalpel&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_oak_multi_spec_goods_sold=1&_x_sessn_id=8xvv53s3ms&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1724919663054_efdmviptk3

I'm not associated with these sellers, by the way. 

I'm just cheap. 

 

With all respect to this old man, but I do not see anything exceptional in his work. He even does not try to follow sticker line but cut in "around".

[mtbkym01]

I use Hair Cut scissors, i find them fine and nice and sharp for clean cuts

[markbt73]

How do I cut decals? Poorly.

[Kowalski86]

I use some cheapo (technically they were overpriced!) lexan scissors for my decals. Sometimes I'll use a hobby knife if the decal is right in the middle of the sheet.

[skom25]

1 hour ago, markbt73 said:

How do I cut decals? Poorly.

I did them like the and even went one step further: have not applied them on car

[Pablo68]

With scissors and a hatred that burns on a sub atomic level.

[cstorckiii]

9 hours ago, skom25 said:

Hi,

How do you cut decals?

Straight lines are obvious: knife + ruler.

What about more complicated shapes? For a years in different hobbies, I used really sharp hobby knives, mainly from Olfa.

However, it seems to not work perfectly in RC decals. I started to think about scissors and even found, that Tamiya has something:

https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74031/index.html

That's what I use. That and a giant, lighted magnifying glass.

[Pylon80]

I think there is already an overload of great advice by experienced hobbyist above. But I'll just say that I had an absolute epiphany last year when one of our former very active members (Willy) suggested scoring the sticker sheet with a blade rather than cutting the whole decal and backing paper with scissors. It made stickers not just considerably less time consuming but actually fun and satisfying. So I'm surprised to see anyone use scissors; well really I thought it was a common beginner mistake rather than something people really did!

[wtcc5]

@Pylon80: My English is not so good. What exactly is this scoring technique?

[skom25]

I think method when you only cut sticker, without paper below. This is how I cut stickers. There is no need to cut paper.

[Pylon80]

24 minutes ago, wtcc5 said:

@Pylon80: My English is not so good. What exactly is this scoring technique?

It simply means cutting with a blade, but only deep enough to go through the sticker; not deep enough to have the sticker and its backing become separated from the rest of the sheet. And my English is probably not as good as yours 😅

[Pylon80]

1 minute ago, skom25 said:

I think method when you only cut sticker, without paper below. This is how I cut stickers. There is no need to cut paper.

What he wrote 😉

A German, a Pole and a French discussing modelling techniques. Just a normal Thursday morning on TamiyaClub 🤣

[Juggular]

8 hours ago, skom25 said:

With all respect to this old man, but I do not see anything exceptional in his work. He even does not try to follow sticker line but cut in "around".

That means that you are more discerning than the "professionals."  

 

[skom25]

I am just surprised. I saw MANY great bodies here and I am not sure if anyone called himself "professional".

[wtcc5]

3 hours ago, Pylon80 said:

It simply means cutting with a blade, but only deep enough to go through the sticker; not deep enough to have the sticker and its backing become separated from the rest of the sheet. And my English is probably not as good as yours 😅

Ah! Thank you. I thought this was the normal way to work with a cutter, just cutting the sticker not the paper 

[Pylon80]

1 hour ago, wtcc5 said:

Ah! Thank you. I thought this was the normal way to work with a cutter, just cutting the sticker not the paper 

It's possible that the people coming from a static model background, with water slide decals, are used to cutting the whole thing off the sheet. No need to do so with stickers.

[Blista]

I use the recommended Tamiya knife with a fresh blade.  I'm not sure if it works better than any other brand but I like having all the matching Tamiya tools.  I might buy some scissors to try out at some point.

Depending on the sticker size I often cut out the backing paper as well so I can peel about 5mm back.  That way I can figure out exactly where I want it, then anchor it and slowly roll the rest into place.  I always use a small spray bottle with a drop of dish soap and water.  I haven't used a ruler but this year I'm starting to use reading glasses.  Perhaps unsteady hands are next.  Can't stop old age getting to you.