Decals in Register

[andy519005]

Could someone please explain what is meant when a comment or model review states that decals have good register- or not ,as the case may be?

Thanks

[flakmonkey]

It comes from the printing term "registration". This refers to how accurately the different plates line up; each plate prints just one colour. So, if the red centre of your roundel isn't in the middle then you would say that the red was not in register.

[MerlinJones]

Other examples might be when you see a roundel with an asymmetric white outline. The roundel should be completely over a white disc of decal, so as to give good colour depth. However, if it is 'out of register', the white disc and the roundel will not be properly lined up and you'll get that white bit showing. Unfortunately, you are often unaware of this until you've applied the decal.

Check out the forward edge of the Norwegian roundels;



Out of register isn't a problem when the decal is a single colour, such as black serial numbers. It is a big problem when you have text made up of two or more colours.

Regards,
Bruce