TOOLS of the TRADE For best results, these instruments are recommended, some are essential:     Hobby Knife and Flat Cutting Surface   Metal rimmed ruler or Straight Edge   Needle Nosed Tweezers   Cuticle or Needle Nosed Scissors   Standard Paper Hole Punch   A Hobby Paint Brush   Testors or similar Decal Set   Treasure Crystal Cote or another clear sealant   I'm in no way affiliated with any of these brands, however, these decals have been applied using their products and there was no adverse chemical reactions which affected the decal or my paint jobs. No matter what product you use, be sure to follow the directions with that product and adhere to all safety warnings.

With the figures, scale and materials we'll be working with, there are limitations, however, in all but a few rare exceptions, these limitations are
nothing more than obstacles that can be overcome with technique and repetition.

The key to the successful application of these decals is PATIENCE.  If you're in a hurry or lack patience then spend a few bucks and contact artist extroirdinaire,  Garrett  Garitano, to paint your figures for you.  Garrett can be contacted via the internet at his website.
 
 

There are several effective ways to accomplish the same task, but we'll go through the one I use.  Teams with white helmets are the easiest to work with.  Basically, once the figure is painted, apply the decal like you would to any other model and then apply a coat of sealant to protect your figure. I like to paint my white helmeted teams a gloss white anyway, but regardless, painted or not, a clear sealant is essential in preserving and protecting your figure's helmet emblem.  I prefer a clear gloss coating for realism.  I use and recommend Treasure Crystal Cote.  It is a thick solution and when applied, gives off a subtle 3-D effect that will gather attention even from marginally interested observers. While teams with white helmets are a breeze to complete, teams with colored helmets require a little more attention.  To demonstrate, let's take a look at the guy to our right.  He is just some touch up paint and a set of 2 color numbers shy of being Bobby Hebert of the USFL Oakland Invaders.  As you can see, at this stage, he's pretty much complete, except for his jersey numbering and helmet emblem.

Tudor's Classic QB