Every time I try to print off a generic sheet of decals they always look like crap. I loose the image quality. What am I doing wrong? I need some vehicle decals by the end of the week.

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I usually do the decals at a larger size, then in my print dialogue box I set the scaling, for example, 10%. That way it doesn't it scale the image until printing.

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also, what print software are you using? a software set designed specifically to make decals, like surething decal maker, scales better. I've scaled down magazine covers and photos for nose art and still had them come out crisp. Also, does your printer have more than one print quality setting? I.E. draft, regular, photo, best quality? It may default to a lower print quality setting on the assumption that for everyday printing, like emails and reciepts and stuff, you'll happily give up crispy sharp prints to save ink. Check your printer settings, which there should be a button for on the print dialogue box. Oh yeah, what are you printing them on? Like, Avery decal sheet, water slide medium, plain paper, transparency, what? Your medium can affect print quality.

Sounds like the software I'm using. I was trying to work with paintshop pro but now I'm thinking that is the wrong thing to work with.

The decals sheet is clear transparent sticker sheets. I was only testing on normal bond paper at the time so the medium isn't part of the problem (yet).

The printer I was working with is the Phaser 8400 set to high resolution so that isn't a factor as well.

What about Adobe Photo shop? Anyone work with that or should I just look to find a copy of "surething decal maker"?

Thanks for the input guys.

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Paint Shop Pro should work. That is what chad uses. If he doesn't reply to this post, shoot him a PM. I'm a photoshop (and adobe illustrator) man myself

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Yep, works great for me. Drop me a line if you want.

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I put my images in 300 dpi and shrink them down to the size I need (in inches). Then I select the best print quality in the print setup.

Paint Shop pro should work fine. I usually edit pictures and what not in PsP, then load them into Surething because it automatically scales them for you. If you use the scaling feature in the print settings dialog like Matthew said it should be okay. Just check your DPI settings, print quality settings, and make sure you have the medium selected in print setup as close to what you're using as possible.

Where do you find the transparent sticker sheets?

Office supply stores, wal mart. Avery sells both transparent mailing labels that can be trimmed, and also sell 8.5 x 11 sheets of clear sticker.

OK Walmart didn't have any clear label sheets. I will have to check the office supply store.
I found it online in case anyone else was looking for them...
http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=20827072&searchString=avery%20clear%20label&category_Id=
$8 shipping for 1 sheet & they are charging tax after including the shipping!!!

thats 10 sheets and its $12.99.

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OK 1 unit of 10 sheets. Still I think there is something amiss when they charge tax for the shipping.

If They have a Brick and Mortar Store in your state, then they have to charge local taxes on your entire purchase.

At wal mart, did you check in the Stationary section or the craft section? I find it in the stationary section. I don't remember what it cost.

Of course Phtoshop is what I use. I print straight to the white paper sticker sheets. I spray the sheets with 3 or 4 layers of clear acrylic gloss. Once I cut them out and lay them on the item I made them for, they look fine. Usually I use superglue to make sure they are good a perminent plus the whole item with the stickers gets a final clear gloss touch up spraying.

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