Decals / Transfers

The simple answer is yes, it is advisable to varnish your decal, for a couple of reasons One being that if the model is going to be handled regularly the decal could be easily scratched off making the model look tatty. The other reason is that...

This is not as difficult as you would think. Normally you would dip your transfer in warm water to help remove it from the backing paper and soften the decal. Although the decal is still quite rigid, this is fine when going on to a flat surface....

When you are at the final stages of making your model, apply a coat of gloss varnish this will give a nice smooth surface for the decal to adhere to. Once the varnish is dry, cut the decal from the backing sheet and float it in a bowl of warm...

It is best to varnish the whole model. By coating the whole model in varnish, you are guaranteed a uniform finish across the entire model. I do not think that it is possible to apply the exact amount of varnish to the area that is going to...

Always use warm water from the tap. It doesn't need to be hot, just baby bath warm. This will just help the process of the decal removal from the backing paper. There is no need to use fancy water such as distilled water. It will not improve...

It is a good idea to give your model a coat of gloss varnish before applying decals as this helps with the gluing process. When you have finished adding the decals and they have had time to dry, you will need to re-varnish the model, in the...

The purpose of a varnish is to protect the paint of your model. This is especially true if you are using your models for wargaming as the models are being handled frequently. Without the varnish the paint will start to fall off with constant...

A bow pen also known as a ruling pen was designed in the early 1900’s for draftsmen for drawing straight lines of different thicknesses. These pens resemble a fountain pen to a certain degree with two tapered metal foils coming to a point and...

Metcalfe is a family run business founded during the early 1990s. They produce 00/H0 and N gauge card kits for model railways.Their range of kits are well known worldwide and are quoted as being "challenging yet rewarding" to construct using...

Transfers, also called decals, are an excellent way to apply extra detail to your models. Whether it be signposts, platform numbers, station names, locomotive numbers, lining, military markings,  or simply a gender reference on the privy doors so...

There are tens of thousands of decals available covering a multitude of different models from trains, planes and other transport to buildings and road signs, within these categories you can get decals covering different eras, scales and companies...

Undoubtedly, 00 gauge is the most common gauge for modelling in the UK, so it stands to reason that 00 gauge transfers are the most plentiful and exhibit a large collection aimed at locomotive numbering as well as wagons and coaches, however,...