I'm thinking of getting some of those clear sheets of peel and stick from decal connection. I have a reasonably good quality inkjet printer and was wondering if this is the way to go for printing small stickers with people's names etc on it?
If not should I get a dedicated label maker that can do this sort of stuff. If I do need a label maker and tips on which one would be great.
Thanks.

The problem with ink jets on clear paper are one they don't print white and the ink is translucent. This is okay if you paint the blank or under wrap first.

The best setup is an ALPS micro dry printer (MD1000 or MD5000). They use a ribbon ink and there is not only white but also foil. The problem is they went out of production a few years ago. You can get them on @#$%& but they are not cheap.

You can make very good decals by printing on stick-on media, like Decal Connection or Papilio, but there are limitations: No white as mentioned, no metallics, you should print with glossy paper settings on your printer, and you may have to adjust the intensity setting. Select colors to achieve highest contrast ratio with the background (the blank, most likely). The rod shown here has three such labels, one on each reel seat ramp, and one on the blank in front of the butt knob. The other decal is the MHX decal provided with the white blank.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Alps stopped offering support in 2007. They also no longer make the ink cartridges. Once the ink stock is gone, you're out of luck. If I had one, I would stock up on the ink, but I would not invest a lot of cash in a used/refurbished one unless there is a new source making the ink for it.

Go with White Vinyl, it is fantastic, and very easy to use!

"My biggest fear in life is that when I die, my wife will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it."

But will using White Vinyl mean I have a white background? I'd love to be able to print something onto a clear sticker so just the printing is visible, basically like the decals that come with the blanks you buy like MHX.

But will using White Vinyl mean I have a white background? I'd love to be able to print something onto a clear sticker so just the printing is visible, basically like the decals that come with the blanks you buy like MHX.

But will using White Vinyl mean I have a white background? I'd love to be able to print something onto a clear sticker so just the printing is visible, basically like the decals that come with the blanks you buy like MHX.

No, you can print any color background. I have used black, blue and red with good success. Make sure you have new cartridges for big backgrounds, use the highest printer setting possible, and spray Fixativ on the decal before applying. I am at my real job today but will try to send you some more info and some pics

Here ya go Mark, forgot I had some posted here:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Thanks Scott. Some nice work you have.

Thanks Mark and let me know if you need any assistance, send me an email.

Mark, the comment on the ease of use of white vinyl is right on-it is very easy to use. It will show white only where you have designed a white object or text. The white will show through because your printer cannot print white and will leave it "clear." When I try to match the blank color on white vinyl however, I can only be really successful when trying to match black. Maybe it's me or my printer, but I've found it tough.

The question about printing on clear and having just the printing visible is quite easy on clear vinyl, but as I said before, you will have to do some tweaking of printer settings, most likely. And if you have "white" in your design, it will be clear-the surface on which the label is mounted will show through. As also mentioned before, use the highest quality settings on the printer, select for glossy photo paper, and possibly increase the intensity setting. This label subject is covered quite well in an old Rodmaker magazine, look in the index and then see if you can buy one.

Mark, can you get this vinyl at the office supply stores? What thickness do you use or is there just one?

I use both clear and white backed decal paper on my inkjet printer depending on what graphics/text Iam putting on the rod. When I use the white for text It has to have some form of
outline. So far they have been working fine for me. Just gotta hit the decals with a couple coats of clear acrylic spray before applying. I get my decals from www.belldecal.com
The price is pretty reasonable.