Answers.Body: <p>The way that Lego does it is with whats called a "pad printer".  <a href="http://www.brickprinter.com" rel="noreferrer">Brickprinter.com</a> also uses a pad printer.  It takes a lot of skill to get the printing to work correctly.  You have to have the proper amount of solvent in the ink to get it to adhere to the part and not smudge.  The solvent also softens the ABS plastic so that the ink actually embeds into the part.</p>
  
  <p>Pad printers are also quite expensive.  On the order of tens of thousands of $$$ for one that will do multiple colors in sequence.</p>
  
  <p>I've been looking at using special "direct to substrate" (DTS) printers. There is an inkjet printer that has a 5000+ dpi resolution, can print on ABS using solvent inks, can print on an object upto 2" thick, and also has the capability of printing pigmented white ink (so you don't have to only print on white bricks).  This printer is also expensive, though not as expensive as a pad printer.  Used on eBay runs about $5000.</p>
  
  <p>For the general user, it's probably best to stick with water slide decals, since the average cost of a 8.5"x11" sheet of decal paper is about $1.  There are different kinds of paper (inkjet and laser), so make sure you get the right kind for your printer.  Laser printed decals do not REQUIRE a clear coat to protect them, but I still do.  </p>
  
  <p>I also use an ALPS printer that uses resin based inks.  The printer has been discontinued, but the supplies are still available.  Generally colors are printed in layers, but in addition to the cyan, yellow, magenta and black ribbons, there are metallic silver, metallic gold, chrome silver, chrome gold, chrome magenta, chrome cyan and the most important color, white.  This allows ALPS owners to lay down a layer of white (opaque), then add the semi-transparent (cyan, yellow and magenta) inks on top.  Kodak used to make a printer (First Check) that used compatible ink cartridges and they also produced a Red, Blue, Green and Orange ink.  Useful if you can find them, but pretty much impossible to find.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-31T00:29:08.077Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-01-28T12:28:48.850Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2015-01-28T12:28:48.850Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: KevinS
Answers.Body: <p>You can do that with scale <a href="http://www.decalgear.com/DG/Product.asp?ProdCode=62201" rel="noreferrer">model water decals</a>. You can buy that in blank sheets and print out your designs with an inkjet printer. You can also use products that help those water decals set (adhere) and conform to the surface deformation and use scale model varnishes to seal it in place.  </p>
  
  <p>Shopping list:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Water decal sheets</li>
  <li>Setting solution (sticks better)</li>
  <li>Solvent solution (conforms to the surface)</li>
  <li>Varnish/Finish</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>As stated in this <a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/1/how-do-i-change-the-color-of-a-brick">other question</a> about painting Lego bricks: Don't expect it to sustain the normal usage of LEGO bricks. This is good for display or light usage (like playing D&amp;D with custom minifigures) </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-11-23T17:48:28.157Z
Answers.Text: Are these like transfers or are they more like the stickers you get in LEGO sets?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-11-23T18:06:13.293Z
Answers.Text: They are decals (transfers). the same stuff used for scale models.
Answers.UserDisplayName: pcantin
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-11-23T18:14:00.593Z
Answers.Text: That's a shame, the question I just deleted was about the  stickers that come with LEGO sets.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-11-23T18:53:54.663Z
Answers.Text: This question is about 'How to add an image to a LEGO minifigure'. @HaydenStudios covers paint, printing and stickers in his question. I guess if you need to know specifics about stickers and not transfers-decals you could ask that question, but your original question didn't sound like that (to me a least).
Answers.UserDisplayName: pcantin
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-11-03T17:53:02.310Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-09-19T17:39:47.157Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2017-09-19T17:39:47.157Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: pcantin
Answers.Body: <p>I am a principle in an imprinting facility, that services clients from automotive to toys and beyond:</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.ableprint.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.ableprint.com/</a></p>
  
  <p>In the past couple of years we have had the opportunity to service companies that wanted us to print their designs on LEGO pieces. To make it easier for other users to get an idea what it would cost was to dedicate a web page to those prices:</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.ableprint.com/legos.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.ableprint.com/legos.html</a></p>
  
  <p>Any pad printer with multi-colored equipment should be able to perform this service, maybe even at a lower price.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-05-07T16:16:11.387Z
Answers.Text: My affiliation is that I am a principle in an imprinting facility, that services clients from automotive to toys and beyond. In the past couple of years we have had the opportunity to service companies that wanted us to print their designs on Lego pieces. To make it easier for other users to get an idea what it would cost was to dedicate a web page to those prices.  Trust that makes my response longer and more useful to others on this forum. Any pad printer with multi-colored equipment should be able to perform this service, maybe even at a lower price.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Peter
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-05-08T17:25:31.763Z
Answers.Text: I've updated your answer to reflect this affiliation and linked to both your main website and the pricing page for LEGO pad printing.
Answers.UserDisplayName: jncraton
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2017-05-06T14:51:37.253Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2017-05-08T17:24:28.860Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2017-05-08T17:24:28.860Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Peter
Answers.Body: <p>You could try UV printing, but they cost a lot. Maybe try searching for budget UV printers. I am also looking for one.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-29T05:01:35.533Z
Answers.Text: It would be better if you explained how this type of printer works, right now I'm just assuming it uses an ultraviolet light...
Answers.UserDisplayName: mindstormsboi
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-09-28T12:33:53.857Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-09-28T15:31:08.037Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-09-28T15:31:08.037Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: JP42
Answers.Body: <p>How about transfer paper (also known as water slide paper). I've seen my friend do it on some of his parts and it works great!</p>
  <p>I'm looking to use it on my mocs too.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-12-08T13:01:29.580Z
Answers.Text: Hi, and welcome to Bricks. We're really looking for longer answers, that ideally add more than the existing answers - both the [accepted answer](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/541/56) and the [next most voted answer](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/1388/56) discuss transfer/decal paper.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-12-07T14:53:05.940Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-12-08T12:59:04.180Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-12-08T12:59:04.180Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: user17271
Answers.Body: <p>just looking around I see that used pad printers are not really so expensive if you plan to do a lot of bricks you might look into getting one here.</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.brickprinter.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.brickprinter.com/</a></p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-01-28T12:31:00.280Z
Answers.Text: I don't think BrickPrinter sells used Pad Printers - are you suggesting they should bulk order from them? Even second-hand multi-colour pad printers seem to be listing around £2,000+
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-01-27T11:44:55.667Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-01-28T12:26:37.220Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2015-01-28T12:26:37.220Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: jokerrabit
Answers.Body: <p>There is a solution: <a href="http://www.wayprinter.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.wayprinter.com</a>, see also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OD2DCCpe2U&amp;t=15s" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a video showing printing on Lego bricks</a>.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-11-28T17:06:47.227Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-11-29T09:11:03.110Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2019-11-29T09:11:03.110Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Kate
Body: <p>I have seen a few custom minifigures out there with images on certain body parts never produced by LEGO. What is the best way to achieve this? I have heard of some people printing out the image on paper and gluing it, but I don't want to do that. That would look horrible even if I got the background of the picture to be the same color as the plain piece. I've also heard of printing an image onto sticker paper and applying it. That would probably work on a torso, but probably would do a bad job of deforming around legs, heads, or <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=2446">certain types of helmets</a>. Anyone got any other ideas? </p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-11-03T17:46:46.203Z
Comments.Text: There are some people out there doing brick printing, but as far as I know it requires flat surfaces.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2012-03-06T17:51:34.043Z
Comments.Text: If you want actual printing onto Minifigures there is http://brickprinter.com/
Comments.UserDisplayName: Lawrence
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2012-03-23T19:05:10.057Z
Comments.Text: Ah, that's nice. But it doesn't have quite as much customability as I would like.
Comments.UserDisplayName: HaydenStudios
Tags: <minifigures><customization>
Title: How do I print images onto minifig body parts?
UserDisplayName: HaydenStudios
ThreadText: # How do I print images onto minifig body parts?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2011-11-03)
  
  I have seen a few custom minifigures out there with images on certain body parts never produced by LEGO. What is the best way to achieve this? I have heard of some people printing out the image on paper and gluing it, but I don't want to do that. That would look horrible even if I got the background of the picture to be the same color as the plain piece. I've also heard of printing an image onto sticker paper and applying it. That would probably work on a torso, but probably would do a bad job of deforming around legs, heads, or [certain types of helmets](http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=2446). Anyone got any other ideas?
  
  **Tags:** minifigures, customization
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: There are some people out there doing brick printing, but as far as I know it requires flat surfaces.  
  > **username_2**: If you want actual printing onto Minifigures there is http://brickprinter.com/  
  > **username_0**: Ah, that's nice. But it doesn't have quite as much customability as I would like.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 7 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2011-11-03. Score: 26
  
  You can do that with scale [model water decals](http://www.decalgear.com/DG/Product.asp?ProdCode=62201). You can buy that in blank sheets and print out your designs with an inkjet printer. You can also use products that help those water decals set (adhere) and conform to the surface deformation and use scale model varnishes to seal it in place.
  
  Shopping list:
  
  * Water decal sheets
  * Setting solution (sticks better)
  * Solvent solution (conforms to the surface)
  * Varnish/Finish
  
  As stated in this [other question](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/1/how-do-i-change-the-color-of-a-brick) about painting Lego bricks: Don't expect it to sustain the normal usage of LEGO bricks. This is good for display or light usage (like playing D&D with custom minifigures)
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_5**: Are these like transfers or are they more like the stickers you get in LEGO sets?  
  > **username_4**: They are decals (transfers). the same stuff used for scale models.  
  > **username_5**: That's a shame, the question I just deleted was about the  stickers that come with LEGO sets.  
  > **username_4**: This question is about 'How to add an image to a LEGO minifigure'. @username_0 covers paint, printing and stickers in his question. I guess if you need to know specifics about stickers and not transfers-decals you could ask that question, but your original question didn't sound like that (to me a least).  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2012-05-31. Score: 13
  
  The way that Lego does it is with whats called a "pad printer". [Brickprinter.com](http://www.brickprinter.com) also uses a pad printer. It takes a lot of skill to get the printing to work correctly. You have to have the proper amount of solvent in the ink to get it to adhere to the part and not smudge. The solvent also softens the ABS plastic so that the ink actually embeds into the part.
  
  Pad printers are also quite expensive. On the order of tens of thousands of $$$ for one that will do multiple colors in sequence.
  
  I've been looking at using special "direct to substrate" (DTS) printers. There is an inkjet printer that has a 5000+ dpi resolution, can print on ABS using solvent inks, can print on an object upto 2" thick, and also has the capability of printing pigmented white ink (so you don't have to only print on white bricks). This printer is also expensive, though not as expensive as a pad printer. Used on eBay runs about $5000.
  
  For the general user, it's probably best to stick with water slide decals, since the average cost of a 8.5"x11" sheet of decal paper is about $1. There are different kinds of paper (inkjet and laser), so make sure you get the right kind for your printer. Laser printed decals do not REQUIRE a clear coat to protect them, but I still do.
  
  I also use an ALPS printer that uses resin based inks. The printer has been discontinued, but the supplies are still available. Generally colors are printed in layers, but in addition to the cyan, yellow, magenta and black ribbons, there are metallic silver, metallic gold, chrome silver, chrome gold, chrome magenta, chrome cyan and the most important color, white. This allows ALPS owners to lay down a layer of white (opaque), then add the semi-transparent (cyan, yellow and magenta) inks on top. Kodak used to make a printer (First Check) that used compatible ink cartridges and they also produced a Red, Blue, Green and Orange ink. Useful if you can find them, but pretty much impossible to find.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2017-05-06. Score: 4
  
  I am a principle in an imprinting facility, that services clients from automotive to toys and beyond:
  
  <http://www.ableprint.com/>
  
  In the past couple of years we have had the opportunity to service companies that wanted us to print their designs on LEGO pieces. To make it easier for other users to get an idea what it would cost was to dedicate a web page to those prices:
  
  <http://www.ableprint.com/legos.html>
  
  Any pad printer with multi-colored equipment should be able to perform this service, maybe even at a lower price.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_6**: My affiliation is that I am a principle in an imprinting facility, that services clients from automotive to toys and beyond. In the past couple of years we have had the opportunity to service companies that wanted us to print their designs on Lego pieces. To make it easier for other users to get an idea what it would cost was to dedicate a web page to those prices.  Trust that makes my response longer and more useful to others on this forum. Any pad printer with multi-colored equipment should be able to perform this service, maybe even at a lower price.  
  > **username_7**: I've updated your answer to reflect this affiliation and linked to both your main website and the pricing page for LEGO pad printing.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_8 on 2020-09-28. Score: 0
  
  You could try UV printing, but they cost a lot. Maybe try searching for budget UV printers. I am also looking for one.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_9**: It would be better if you explained how this type of printer works, right now I'm just assuming it uses an ultraviolet light...  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_10 on 2020-12-07. Score: 0
  
  How about transfer paper (also known as water slide paper). I've seen my friend do it on some of his parts and it works great!
  
  I'm looking to use it on my mocs too.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_11**: Hi, and welcome to Bricks. We're really looking for longer answers, that ideally add more than the existing answers - both the [accepted answer](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/541/56) and the [next most voted answer](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/1388/56) discuss transfer/decal paper.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_12 on 2015-01-27. Score: 0
  
  just looking around I see that used pad printers are not really so expensive if you plan to do a lot of bricks you might look into getting one here.
  
  <http://www.brickprinter.com/>
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_11**: I don't think BrickPrinter sells used Pad Printers - are you suggesting they should bulk order from them? Even second-hand multi-colour pad printers seem to be listing around £2,000+  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_13 on 2019-11-28. Score: 0
  
  There is a solution: <http://www.wayprinter.com>, see also [a video showing printing on Lego bricks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OD2DCCpe2U&t=15s).
  
  
  ---
  
  