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Printing Service

by Kaminoan (Tips, Techniques & Questions)
Because several of you have asked if I could print your designs, here is an instructional guide to printing.

Preparing art for Fine Clonier Printing Service (and Red Bean Studio if RB is willing)

1. Art must be either prepared in or compatible with Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
2. The following CMYK values denote special colors (See Below):

White: C: 2 M: 2 Y: 2 K: 0
Silver (Metallic or Foil): C: 26 M: 24 Y: 23 K: 0
Gold (Metallic or Foil): C: 12 M: 37 Y: 100 K: 0
Metallic Cyan: C: 100 M: 31 Y: 21 K: 0
Metallic Magenta: C: 36 M: 86 Y: 55 K: 0

If you want to use these colors, these exact CMYK values must be used.

For Lego Color values please see the color chart at Peeron: Offical Lego Color Palette

3. Art must be color separated into 3 layer/files for best printing (See Examples, Thanks RB for the Art).


White Layer



Metal Layer



CMYK Layer


The three layers are White (Printed First), Metal Inks (Printed Second), CMYK (Printed Third).

The art is printed in layers, anything that is to be transparent or printed with a metal ink should not be under printed in white (Make sure that it does not appear on the white layer/file). Any color can appear on the white layer/section and the printer will print it in white. Only use the special CMYK color value for white in special situation when printing white over the top of another color.

Metal inks come in two types, Foil and Metallic, please note which you prefer. Foil is more shinny like a mirror and metallic is more dull.

If you want both metallic and foil art must be color separated into 4 layers/files. For an example of this affect please see this design: Boromir

Questions??
_________________
I don't currently have the option of selling pre-decaled torsos/figs. I am a graduate student working on my Ph.D. so time is a bit scarce, which is why I have been lurking more than anything lately.

I can clarify the instructions a bit for you, decal application is possible with water only. However if you were to "play" with these figs you risk damaging the decal. If however, your custom figs were for mere display, then they would be perfectly fine at this point. There is an alternative that I haven't seen mentioned here, the finished fig could be protected with many products, including floor wax. See this site: Future's Floor Wax

Through the use of setting solution the decal adheres more tightly to a fig, but this solution is not required and I don't always use it. The second solution is decal softening solution. This is only required when fitting a decal to a complex curve, like the minifig arm (and only when applying to the whole arm). If I am applying a decal to a flat surface, the torso for example, I do not commonly use the decal softening solution. Lastly, I use gloss or semi-gloss overcoat which is just a clear enamel to cover and protect the fig, however, as I have previously stated you can even use floor wax as many modelers do.

Don't be restricted to just what the FAQs state, there are many ways to apply a water slide decal, if you really want to experiment, pick up a cheap model, at Walmart type store, off the clearance rack for a $1. Take the water slide decals out and play with them. See what you can do and if you are happy with the finished product. If you can't find a model with water-slide decals, I have some misprinted decals I could send you to try. If this doesn't work out for you, then maybe we could work something out, where I apply a decal for you, but I would rather you have the experience/pride in your accomplishment, than let someone else finish the fig you have worked so hard to make. Hope this helps and if you want to discuss it further please feel free to email me at Fineclonier@gmail.com

As far as a fee for the printing service, it would be just like my current pricing (for reference it is similar to RB's decal pricing), which depends a bit on the design and the number of decals you are interested in getting. I try to cover my costs yet keep this economical for you guys.
Jared "Kaminoan" Burks


Kaminoan
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com

by JediSpring on Sat, 08/20/2005 - 21:54
How can you get the same kinds of levels on Photoshop. I've read this thread a few times and I've been trying to translate myself to Photoshop. Your help would be much appreciated.


Jedi Spring's Gallery

by Alec J. Golden on Sun, 08/21/2005 - 09:59
Say we made a mini mate decal would you resize it for mini mates and print it.


by Kaminoan on Sun, 08/21/2005 - 23:31
Spring,
     Don't know photoshop, so I am not sure how to answer it, other than to create a layer for each of the foil colors, One for silver one for gold.

Alec,
     I don't own any Minimates so I have no idea what to resize it to, so I can't help much.  If you have a minimate, just draw your design to size.

Jared

Jared "Kaminoan" Burks
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com FineClonier@gmail.com


Kaminoan
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com

by JediSpring on Mon, 08/22/2005 - 22:54
Photoshop is in the same Family company as Illustrator but is more for picture editing then artistic renderings. It doesn't have a CMYK palette attached to it, but thanks for the advice. I'll try that out.


Jedi Spring's Gallery

by Legofreak on Mon, 08/22/2005 - 23:27

hey JS - contact me! I have photoshop and Kamino walked me through how to do this. we had a lot of going back and forth, but we got it.

here is one of the results:

warlord

The chain and the skull on his belt are both metallic!




There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

~MCN Moderator: WIP, Decal & Customizing Chat ~

by JediSpring on Tue, 08/23/2005 - 09:59
Thanks. Do you use MSN Messenger or can you give me your e-mail so we can discuss this matter.


Jedi Spring's Gallery

by Kaminoan on Tue, 08/23/2005 - 11:46
Spring,
     Freak has it down so definetly get in touch with him.  I didn't realize he was using Photoshop or I would have pointed you his direction.

Jared

Jared "Kaminoan" Burks
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com


Kaminoan
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com

by Legofreak on Thu, 08/25/2005 - 23:04
I got in contact with Spring, and I am wating to hear back again.
and for all y'all .. i am legofreeek on AIM. :D




There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

~MCN Moderator: WIP, Decal & Customizing Chat ~

by legoman65 on Tue, 08/30/2005 - 19:46
hey kaminoan  i have a  canon printer , also what kind of paper do i use i know it,s something that has  to be able to stick and how do i size it on the computer for mini fig size


by lklaw on Wed, 08/31/2005 - 09:45
Legofreak,
I am also using photoshop or illustrator.  What resolution should I use?  What should the size of the face and torso be?
Thanks,
Lane



by Kaminoan on Wed, 08/31/2005 - 23:25
Lane,
Please use Illustrator, much better file format.  Check out decals 101 in the how to section for all this info.

Jared

Jared "Kaminoan" Burks
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com


Kaminoan
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com

by legoman65 on Wed, 09/07/2005 - 15:42
kaminoan i have ur  website and would love to order some stuff from you  how do i go about ordering from u please let me know  thank you . legoman65 .


by uubergeek on Wed, 09/07/2005 - 18:49
[quote=legoman65]kaminoan i have ur  website and would love to order some stuff from you  how do i go about ordering from u please let me know  thank you . legoman65 .[/quote]

Well... if you click on the decal you want, that will bring it up in the screen and let you add it to the cart.

When you've added everything you want, then click the "View Cart / Check out now"  at the bottom of the screen which will take you to the check out screen where you can provide the needed details.

After you do so, you'll recieve and invoice and can make the appropriete payment


-----------------------------------
Chris C.
uubergeek
http://www.emptyvoid.com

by Kaminoan on Thu, 09/08/2005 - 00:12
Yup, Chris has all the details.  Well he should, he basically created it all for me, I just filled in the blanks.

Hey Thanks Chris.

Kam

Jared "Kaminoan" Burks
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com


Kaminoan
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com

by legoman65 on Thu, 09/08/2005 - 11:22
ty  uubergeek i will try that im new to all of this though my first ones didnt turn out that bad , but i want ones that kaminoan has again ty . legoman 65


by Meebs on Sun, 09/18/2005 - 14:22
Hello there.
I have a little question, if I may....
I've designed a decal using the GIF format and, when resized to the correct size within a Word document and printed, it looks good. What I wanted to know is, should you be kind enough to take on my printing order and I send you the pre-resized artwork, how do you go about re-sizing it to the required demsions without it going pixcelly?
Will my artwork look rubbish because it wasn't a vector file etc.?
Thanks for your time.




by Ayden on Thu, 09/22/2005 - 16:45
Kaminoan
I acnt aford to pay 80 cents a decal and pay for the mass army I am using the decals for. Is there any way that I could pay like a doller or two per shet of decals if I sent you My own decal paper?



The forums: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Fantasy_Bricks/index.

by JediSpring on Thu, 09/22/2005 - 17:32
[quote=Ayden]Kaminoan
I acnt aford to pay 80 cents a decal and pay for the mass army I am using the decals for. Is there any way that I could pay like a doller or two per shet of decals if I sent you My own decal paper?
[/quote]
You can find Jared's (Kaminoan) decals on Brickshelf. Here is the link:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=Kaminoan


Jedi Spring's Gallery

by uubergeek on Thu, 09/22/2005 - 18:58
[quote=Ayden]Kaminoan
I acnt aford to pay 80 cents a decal and pay for the mass army I am using the decals for. Is there any way that I could pay like a doller or two per shet of decals if I sent you My own decal paper?
[/quote]

If you are looking to get a mass army built, you'd be better off printing the decals yourself. The ink is as if not more expensive than the paper is, so i seriously doubt that would work. I can tell you that he won't be taking new orders for a while as he's had to evacuate his home due to hurricane Rita.


-----------------------------------
Chris C.
uubergeek
http://www.emptyvoid.com

by Ayden on Thu, 09/22/2005 - 21:37
My printer is crap, blk and white only, doesnt work with metali coors. Yeah, total crap man.



The forums: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Fantasy_Bricks/index.

by Kaminoan on Tue, 10/04/2005 - 20:33

My stuff should print well on just about any printer, but most can't do the metallic or white inks.  There are limitations, but as Chris said my ink is expensive and a cartridge only prints about 10 pages and I use 7-12 cartridges per design because each color is a cartridge, so the basics get white, gold, silver, black, cyan, magenta, yellow and possible a few other speciality cartridges used to improve the printing.  This adds up quickly.

Jared




Kaminoan
Kaminoan's Fine Clonier
www.FineClonier.com
FineClonier@gmail.com

by spock on Tue, 10/25/2005 - 12:13

i cut and pasted decals but does the paper have to be completely clear

 




live long and prosper (beleive it or not i hate star trek!!)

by Recluce on Tue, 10/25/2005 - 12:44
Tibbs, you can use either the white sticker paper (like mailing labels), the clear sticker paper (like the see-through return address labels), or waterslide decal paper (which is like the stuff for your plastic models).All depends what you want and how much you're willing to pay.


Emily J. Brownlow

MCN Supervisor Moderator

Leader of the Sneaky Forum Ninja Assasination Squad

~Custom Cast Helmets and Hairpieces~

by Raziel on Mon, 08/14/2006 - 11:39
where can i find paper for water slide decals?


You were born to be my baby and i was born to be your man and we have something to believe in even if we don't know where we stand.

Proud founder of Dragon Roost Studios: Coming Soon

by handmadedrummer on Fri, 10/13/2006 - 21:06

hobby lobby has lots of good stuff for decals. www.hobbylobby.com

 

also how do i use photo shop to make decals?




Used to play Lego's alot as a young child, now am totally back into it.

In love with Custom legos, and am a huge fan of U.A., redbean, and saber-scorpion.

by Pharazon on Fri, 10/20/2006 - 13:06
The designs must be completed in a Vector program such as Illustrator or Corel Draw (as listed above).


~MCN Moderator of the Minifig MOCs Forum~
by Blade-Elison on Sat, 11/04/2006 - 04:44
thx, kaminoan 4 the color desings & co. mybe i will use some soon...[we've got coreldraw soon]


--------------------<[Blade-Elison]>--------------------
by MercenaryAconite on Wed, 03/14/2007 - 20:54
I have macromedia flash and draw plus, which should I use?


I am the chosen one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(but of what?)

by Deathstickman on Wed, 03/14/2007 - 21:10
I'm afraid Kaminoan doesn't frequent this site anymore. If you have any questions for him feel free to contact him at his forums.