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I am new to using decals but am painting some Warlord Hail Caesar EI Romans and need to put decals on the shields.
The plan is to gloss varnish (AP Quickshade) then add decal, then spray Matt or satin varnish to fix. Hopefully that will save the need to buy special decal fixer but grateful for any pointers if this is likely to be a bad idea.
My main question is how to apply decals to those shields in the box which have holes and scratches and other battle damage over the surface. Should I fix the decals then remove segments to expose the holes etc, or try to shape the decal before adding to the mini?
Thanks in advance

Good question. I would imagine you would try and scrape or make holes in the areas where scratches etc are after you have applied it. As in if the model area is scratched then it makes sense for the decal to also have that scratch on the decal.

Microset/sol are worth the money. You want the decal to dry first before removing any from holes etc. You don't need to gloss before decals either. Satin is fine. I don't usually even bother with that because I'm lazy. It's an unnecessary step.

If you put them on over scratches, that’s going to get air under the decal, which looks bad (silvering)

Microsol/set is not that expensive, will last a long time, and is magic in a bottle. Treat yourself. I’m glad I did; changed my modeling-decal life.

I've done exactly what you're about to and I found that it was best to use a VERY sharp knife to lightly cut the sections you want gone while they're still on the decal paper.

You literally barely need to even touch the surface with a knife to cut the decal layer.

I use Tamiya X-22 Clear to soften the transfers, all of their acrylics are full of solvent, once dry needs a touch of anti shine to lessen the gloss

I use Mr Mark Setter and Mr Mark Softer. They work just like Microset and Microsol.

Microsol and Microset are worth every penny and a bottle of each will last you...almost forever. I can’t imagine applying transfers without using these products any longer