Have heard that the Alps printer (md1000 or md5000) can be used for making decals, but they are becoming more and more scarce. I just don't feel comfortable getting a used one on one of the other web sites.

Are there any other brands of printers that can do the same thing? at a reasonable cost?

Any of the HP Inkjet printers in the 7400 series, in combination with the Testor's Decal Kit (available at hobby stores and online). The Testor's kit includes appropriate software, and you can use any image or drawing you want.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/2008 07:28PM by Russ Pollack.

Russ

Does the ink run and can you print in silver? I have a higher end Dell inkjet and tried to use it to make waterslides but the ink runs as soon as the threadmaster or flex coat hits it. I tried to coat the decal with fixatif and didn't have much better luck as the fixatif blurred the edges also.


matt

Steve,
If you don't mind spending some $$ [www.powis.com]
This is what I will get when my Alps dies.

Regards,

Ross.

Russ Pollack Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any of the HP Inkjet printers in the 7400 series,
> in combination with the Testor's Decal Kit
> (available at hobby stores and online). The
> Testor's kit includes appropriate software, and
> you can use any image or drawing you want.
>
> Uncle Russ
> Calico Creek Rods

I've tried decal connections water slide transfer sheet with my inkjet but the colors just aren't dark or bright enough. how are the colors on testor's.

Ross van Enckevort Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Steve,
> If you don't mind spending some $$
> [www.powis.com]
> 1x.php
> This is what I will get when my Alps dies.
>
> Regards,
>
> Ross.

Ross, that's got to be the rolls royce o f decal printers for rod builders! if only money was no object.

Steve

My medium of choice for inkjet printing is a white adhesive back vinyl. These things are absolutely bullet proof and the colors are extremely vivid once you get them epoxied. There is no pre or post preperation needed. With a decent software you can print just about anything you can dream up or get off a computer file.

How bullet proof? You can't smudge or smear them by touching or handling. I have installed them a little crooked then pulled them back off and re-installed with no ill effects. You can even rub them down with alcohol without effect.

The inkjet of course won't print metalics but TomK taught us how to approximate silver, gold and bronze sometimes back and its pretty good if it is not a large area. Whites are of course no problem because the medium is white.

If you need a link to the source of this medium please contact me.

Hope this helps.

Bobby Feazel

[www.shockwaverods.com]

Conventional wisdom will not open the box.

For those of you using ink jet... how bad do they degrade over time with UV exposure?

Typically ink jet inks don't have a long life expectancy in the sun. Does the epoxy protect it enough to eliminate concern?

-----------------
AD

Alex

I have some on my personal rods that are 2 1/2 years old. I see no disernable change in them except for normal use changes. The colors are still vibrant.

Bobby Feazel

[www.shockwaverods.com]

Conventional wisdom will not open the box.

Bobby Feazel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> The inkjet of course won't print metalics but TomK
> taught us how to approximate silver, gold and
> bronze sometimes back and its pretty good if it is
> not a large area. Whites are of course no problem
> because the medium is white.
>
> If you need a link to the source of this medium
> please contact me.
>
> Hope this helps.


Bobby, is the approximating mettalic in a back issue? I must have missed that along the way.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Scott

Yes, Can't find it on a quick look but I believe it was in the article about labels on plain paper.

BTW It was not to approximate metallics but simply silver, gold, or bronze. Sorry if I confused.

Bobby Feazel

[www.shockwaverods.com]

Conventional wisdom will not open the box.

Thanks Bobby, I think I have that back issue....if not guess I am ordering :-)

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

It makes me glad I purchased 3 new ALPS MD1000 printers when I had the chance considering that Foilfast printer is a direct copy of a ALPS MD1000 and it only cost a little over $2000 USD.
See Here [www.ddgraph.com.au]
I purchased the 3 new ALPS MD1000 for around $1000 AUD with 15 metallic cartridges
The shop next door is a sign printer and he has a commercial printer that prints in metallic (gold, silver, white, foil ect) and it takes cartridges just like a ALPS only bigger and better and you can buy a new machine for around $3500 or a second-hand machine for around $2000
I have been eyeing one like that off for a while oh well only 2 1/2 MD1000's to go.

You can see what I do here with a plain inkjet(my printer was about $90 new). You can get silver/gold/ or any other color using different color threads. They look great, are completely customizable, and take virtually no time to make. I have had customer rods that have seen HEAVY use and lots of sun come back to me with the labels looking virtually as good as the day that I put them on the rod. Just my 2¢.

[cabochonrods.com]