Decal Paper
Modern technology puts creativity in the hands of almost everybody. Anybody who has access to a computer can use the appropriate software package to create whatever design they can think of. And they can they bring this into the physical world with a printer. Traditional 2D printers can produce virtually any image. 3D printers can create sculptures, toys, models, part of musical instruments, or almost anything we can think of.
Decal paper is incredibly useful for many applications. Decals provide fine detail on any surface, far finer than can be achieve through most painting. In the past we were limited to the decals provided by commercial manufactures. But with decal paper we can create and print our own designs.
By combining 3D printing with paint and decals we have an unprecedented rang or creative options. The trick is to create something that really looks good.
Designs on Decal Paper
While there is no formula for what works there are some general principles for what works. The human mind tends to like patterns and order. So designs that have a coherent pattern, patterns that the human mind finds pleasing, tend to look good.
Golden ratio – This has been known since the time of the Ancient Greeks, and perhaps earlier. For some reason our perception finds the proportion of 1.618 neat and appealing. A brick, from house bricks to Lego bricks, usually have this proportion. Many architectural designs, from windows to pyramids to building proportions use this ratio. And other pleasing shapes, like spirals, are mathematically connected to this same proportion. The same ratio often occurs in nature, from flower petals to seashells.
Focus – Posters or emblems or advertisements will have a focal point, which is basically the thing we want to emphasis. This is usually front and centre, or the basic shape of the design. Think of what we want to emphasize and then base the design on this.
Balance – This can be symmetry or contrast. A balanced drawing will feel in proportion, the pieces just seem to fit together. At the same time deliberate asymmetry can be very effective if we want a certain emphasis.
Emphasis and balance is usually done with size and proportion, but we can also use colour. A large plain object juxtaposed against a small and vivid object can have a n effective sense of balance.
Contrast – This ties to balance and focus. We might want a bold object in the foreground against a more neutral background. Think of a portrait, a face in the middle against a slightly out of focus backdrop. If there is too much detail in the background the contrast is lost.
Detail and Space– A plain coloured wall has a certain effect, but can easily become sterile. A wall with a lot of ransom detail can look messy. But between these is a great range of potions. Think of woodgrain, there is a pattern but it is imperfect. We find woodgrain attractive, as we do patterns in stone or animal fur or some other natural materials.
Geometric shapes can be rather sterile, but by contrasting angles with round surfaces, detail with space, randomness with patterns, we can achieve pleasing results.
Colour Wheel – Come colours look good against each other, while other colour combinations clash. Contrasting colours form the opposite sides of the colour wheel usually look good – red against green, purple against yellow, sometimes simple back against white.
Context – Adding to what’s already there. We might want to add a design to our laptop, or guitar, or other possession, which already has some design features. Putting a clever design around the apple Logo on the computer (somebody taking a bite out of the apple) can be creative and effective.
Uses for Decal Paper
Most computer printers can print to decal paper. The resulting decals can be put on almost any surface. We can decorate windows, scale models, laptops, musical instruments, bedheads or almost anything else we have.
Decal Paper
Home computers can print any design on decal paper. These work on glass, plastic, wood, metal or almost any surface.
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