Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Tips, Tools & Techniques => Topic started by: Weaver on July 14, 2013, 09:23:23 PM

Title: Printer for decals?
Post by: Weaver on July 14, 2013, 09:23:23 PM

My printer's just died and since this is the first time I've had to buy a new one since getting back into modelling, it's the first chance to get something really suitable.

What's a good printer for decals?
Is it worth getting a laser printer rather than an inkjet (and what about the running costs?)
Has there been any progress on the printing white issue?



Edit: looks like OKI now make a CMY+White laser printer, but unfortunately, it's still a bit rich for my taste at £2000. Might be worthwhile for a business though...

http://www.oki.co.uk/printers/colour-printers/white-toner-printers/detail.aspx?prodid=tcm:122-141114-16 (http://www.oki.co.uk/printers/colour-printers/white-toner-printers/detail.aspx?prodid=tcm:122-141114-16)

http://www.themagictouch.co.uk/acatalog/A4-TMT-OKI-W711-Digital-Colour-Laser-Printer.html (http://www.themagictouch.co.uk/acatalog/A4-TMT-OKI-W711-Digital-Colour-Laser-Printer.html)

Title: Re: Printer for decals?
Post by: Frank3k on July 15, 2013, 03:59:00 AM

Color laser printers are considerably cheaper than ink jet. I have a Brother color laser and the toners only have to be replaced every year or so, and my wife prints a fair amount on it... in part because she was replacing the ink cartridges in her printer every 2 - 3 months (at $60 ea.) while the laser toner is around $80 - $90 but they last 5x as long.

Decal-wise, every ink jet decal paper I've used is crap compared to the higher quality, thinner (and "real") decal paper that can be used in a laser printer or a dye sub printer like the ALPS (Oki used to make a dye sub printer as well).

If you want to print white, the easiest option is an Oki /ALPS 5000 off of ebay. The ALPS printer is a delicate, ornery princess. If it weren't the easiest method of printing white, it would have gone through this "Office Space" experience:

LiveLeak.com - Office Space - printer scene (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=528_1301224180)

With some effort, you can print white and full color decals on a regular color laser printer. Pulsar Pro fx (http://www.pulsarprofx.com/) (http://www.pulsarprofx.com/ (http://www.pulsarprofx.com/)) has their Decal Pro (http://www.pulsarprofx.com/decalpro/) method that produces full color rub on transfer decals (or water slide, if you modify the process slightly). It is a lot more involved, but cheaper than the Oki printer.