Laser printer decals?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m considering doing my own decals on a laser printer.
Artwork is not a problem but I’m wondering about the decal paper needed.
Since the laser printer can’t do white I would like decal paper that is white and works in the laser printer.
Is Walthers brand decal paper clear (I suspect) or white?
Does Microscale paper work in a laser printer (can it take the heat)?

Any experience welcome.

2

I’ve got a friend who is starting to print his own N scale decals on standard Microscale decal paper (clear). To overcome the “no white” problem, he’s actually printing the decals as a VERY light grey (10% black or something similar). So far, he’s happy with the results, and with application, dullcoating and a bit of weathering, you can’t tell the decals aren’t white!

If you want to spring for a better laser printer, there ARE a few that will print white.

Using white decal paper won’t solve your problem. What are you going to do, print the letters with a black border, and then cut them out? Won’t work. Definitely try the 10% grey color on clear decal paper first.

3

Brilliant Ray!!

I’ll have to try that!!!
Thanks for the tip.

Gordon

4

I would be worried about the “laser” aspect. Laser printers work by burning the ink into the paper (that’s why the ink never runs, even when washed) and as such I think it might melt the decal film! I have had great results working with a inkjet printer and a wax-based printer when printing my own decals.

You can easily go buy a great inkjet printer for less than a hundred dollars, and while it won’t print in white you can try the 10% grey trick on it.

5

Micromark sells decal paper and supplies for both laser and ink jet printers. White paper and clear paper are available for both types of printers.

http://www.micromark.com/

A web search will find a number of other sources for decal supplies.

6

I’m not looking to do numbers and letters. For that I’m looking at using one of the generic sets available with Railroad Roman. I’m looking to make logos and some other stuff where it would work to print black areas over a white sheet.
I have access to laser printers and am not looking to buy a printer.
It’s just the question of finding some white decal paper that can take the heat of a laser printer (don’t want to mess up the printer). I’ve read that Walthers decal paper work in laser printer but I think that is clear. Microscale have white decal paper but I don’t know if it works in laser printers and I’m not that keen on trying if it does not work thus I thought I would ask if someone has used it? I’m pretty much limited to what is on offer in the Walthers catalog or else freight will cost more than the paper itself.

7

Your Walmart may also carry a Testor’s kit for making decals for about $6. I suspect laser printing may work a bit better due to the fact you are using a different chemistry of ink. If you dip a freshy printed page in water (or spill your drink on a page) the letters may not run. You can test the following:

  1. Select a font that includes the smallest typesize possible (2-4pt) That should match any end reporting marks & most freight car material.
  2. Reverse print the image. Now you will be able to add some print to the inside widow of buildings.
  3. Nobody makes white ink. The ALPS printer is long out of production in the US. You have the right idea to usea black area over white paper.
  4. You could select a light color like yellow that prints white on a bw printer.
8

Beldecal makes clear and white decal film for both laser and inkjet printers. I have have pretty good results with their laser printer film. No ink runs, bubbles, etc and no sealing with clearcoat required. The only complaint I have is that it is a little thicker than the film the decal manufacturers use, so it takes some work sometimes to get it set in.

www.beldecal.com