Anybody know how to print white ink on decal sheets? Is there a ink jet cart. that has white ink in it?
I only have a few locos to do and dont want to spend a ton of money on custom decal companys.
Thanks
You cannot print white with home inkjet printers. This requires special out of production printers made by ALPS. Better using custom decals or individual letter alphabet decal sets, or dry transfers.
Bob Boudreau
If you are adventurous, have a need for more than a few custom white decals, and have spare cash, and willing to do some research, you can find an ALPS printer (still) on ebay now and then.
Ink cartridges are still available, and if you contact ALPS for repairs, they will exchange your old printer for a refurbished new one (for a hefty fee) so at least you won’t be totally hung out to dry.
If you want the simple and easy route, just go get some custom decals made. It’s probably cheaper than the ALPS option these days, too if you don’t already have the printer. The only real advantage of getting an ALPS printer this late in the game is for the flexibility. If you already own an ALPS printer, you’re in good shape, however …
Not only will the ALPS printer do white decals, but you can print gold and silver ones as well.
Take some advice from a Scotsman who’s never been to the Alps:
You can get white decal paper. Print the stuff you want around it in black (or whatever), and then cut out the letters. The paper itself is white, so you don’t have to “print” the white. The white is there instead of transparent.
OK, I confess. I did go to Switzerland once. It was the world’s biggest train set. Terrific scenery work. Everything ran like clockwork.
I’ll second (or third):
For a small application (only a few items to letter), use white dry transfer lettering onto blank (transparent) decal paper, coat with sealant (I think clear gloss finish might be best), and then apply as usual. Use the decal method cause dry transfers seem (to me) to be a pain to line up right on irregularly shaped 3- dimension objects’ surfaces (er - models).
For a lot of items, go with the custom decal route.
Too bad the Alps printer concept never really took off, but then again I guess few people want to fool around with ribbon/tape cartridges nowadays.
Edit: Seems we may be waiting a while longer for white ink jet ink http://www.large-format-printers.org/UV-curable_flatbed_rigid_roll-to-roll_inkjet_printers/white_UV-curable_inkjet_printers.htm [:(!]