Preparing the Decal

• Cut out every detail to ensure a neat decal.
  
  Try cutting out the decals using a very sharp craft knife like an X-acto so that the decal looks as detailed as possible. You can start by cutting out the basic shape of the decal with a pair of scissors first.
  
  You can set out a cup of water while you are cutting out the decal. This will allow the water to become room temperature and help the decal to adhere better to the model.
  
  

Preparing the Model Itself

• Covering the model with a glossy coat will help blend the decal with the model.
  
  According to world-war-2-airplane-model.com, one common reason that decals appear fake or like stickers is that the decal is shiny while the model has a matte finish. One way to ensure that the model has the same finish as the decal is to cover the model with a glossy sealer. If you are using high gloss enamel then you may not need to do this. Making sure that the model has the same texture as the decals will ensure a seamless blend.
  
  When using a glossy sealer the coat should be allowed to dry completely before you place on any decals. This can take up to two days; however, you can speed up the process by putting the model in front of a fan or a passing a blow dryer across the model for several minutes.
  
  

Placing the Decal on the Model

• Applying the solvent to the decal can make it appear more realistic.
  
  Tweezers are a great tool to use for grabbing and moving the decal. Make sure that you place the decal into the room temperature water and let it soak before placing it on your model. When placing the decal on the model using a sliding motion is on of the best ways to ensure that the decal remains straight and does not fold over itself.Smooth out any trapped pockets of air from under the decal.
  
  Another trick to making the decal look as realistic as possible is to use a product called Micro Sol. According to Bare-Metal.com applying a small amount of this solvent on the decal will thin the decal so that it settles into the grooves and curves of the model and makes it look as though it were painted on.