Anyone using a computer to design your inscriptions? My first attemp was using Avery 8660 clear mailing lables with gold colored text. They looked nice when I printed them out. But, when I applied one to a black rod blank I could barely read the inscription. The lables aren't clear, they are frosted. I burnished them but that didn't help. I sure would appreciate any advice!

Spray them with clear gloss urethane or varathane . $5.00 at the local hardware store.
Careful though, if spraying a glossy rod use the gloss, if on a matt rod use the satin finish. that way, If there is any overspray then it won't be toooooooo noticible. If you have Ken Prestons DVD he gives a great demo of just this step.....



Good Wrappin !
David A. Fuller,
Great Basin Fishing Rods
Full-Time RV'r Traveling- n- Fishing
www.mytripjournal.com/FullersBigAdventure

Jim, it could be your printer's ink. If it's an inkjet printer the ink may not be dense enough to contrast with your rod blank. I had the same experience as you. Now I design my decals on my PC, and email the file to decalconnection.com (one of the sponsors on the left), telling them what color to print. Professional looking waterslide decals arrive in a few days. Just soak for 3 or 4 seconds in water, slide it on, pat it dry. After letting it dry overnight, one coat of rod finish, and it looks great. Have fun!

I forgot to tell you that the waterslide decals from Decal Connection only cost about $2.50 each.

Jim, I gave up doing what you did and bought myself a new alps md1000 it prints up decals easy. The good thing now is that I can design my decals to suit each rod. If you are interested I can give you the email address of the guy in Australia who sells the ALPs printers new.

If you order from decal connections, always order two sets. That way you'll have another label ready when you mess up the first one!

Thanks for your note. I have the DVD you mentioned. I need to go back and take another look at it. Thanks again!

Thanks guys for the helpful info. Myles, I'd appreciate the email address for the ALPs printer. Not sure I want to go that direction, but I would like to look into it. I'm also going to look into the Decal Connection approach. However, I want to include the name of the blank manufacture and they won't do that unless you send proof of purchase. I didn't get that information when I bought my latest set of 7 blanks.