Just got an ALPS this afternoon and been getting it set up and playing around. Once I was making some half decent decals I wanted to do a test on a scrap blank. I dont know if you other guys with these printers have this problem but the ink seemed quite delicate on the film. On my test pcs even a VERY gentle rub or dab to bed the decal and the print would start to break off. I am using dense white.

So cut one label off recangular before putting the radius on the corners. Laid it flat and coated t with 2 coats of Chromaseal. Let dry a few hrs, cut the corners off, soaked it for 1 min and applied. It worked really well and it looks good. You can really give it a good rub and wont harm the print. No CP came off in the water while soaking.

I was wondering if this is a common problem and what solutions did anyone come up with?

Scott,
The rubbing off the letters as you are describing is a normal thing for the Alps process.

It also can be worse depending on what paper you are using.

You can apply a good coat or two of a liquid vinyl on the decal and that allows you to rub it more aggressively.

If you need any other info or have any decal questions. Please feel free to contact me off my web site.

Jimi Ellis
Southern Grafix
www.SouthernGrafix.com

Scott, I've found the problem only happens with the white and when I use something other than Alps decal material

Bill,

Shoot me an email about the paper you are talking about. Alps even when they were in business did not make thire own paper here.

Just remember that most of the cartridges you guys are buying are probably not fresh if not all of them.

Jimi Ellis
Southern Grafix
www.SouthernGrafix.com

Thanks for the offer of help. I just might take you up on that as I get a little more into this decal making. I am not sure what paper I have it just came with the printer and I have no idea how old it is.

Scott,

The ALPS model I have is a MD-5000 which uses "dry film" cartridges with the head applying the "film pigment" to the paper by a heated multi-pin head assembly. Thats why ALSP recommended a short rest between large runs of printing so the head would cool and not destroy itself earlier than designed.

I don't know what model ALPS you have but I am not aware of any "ink" that is used in an ALPS printer that would have a life span. However, as Bill Havens stated, I also had pigment adhesion problems with the WHITE waterslide decal paper. I have had no such adhesion problems with the clear waterslide paper.

I recommend you use the clear decal paper.

Charlie

Tightlinerods@aol.com

Not sure how to PM on this forum, But you can get the Alps water slide material from @#$%&, They have 2 varieties 1 of them just for Alps printing. I think it's more suitable for the thermal printing. I use a lot of it and it works great. It is clear and has a thicker blue backing, Where as the standard stuff has a thinner white backing