What other printer in the market are similar to ALPS MD5000, that uses Siler and Gold inks. For making my own labels. I been in the market for a good color printer so kill two birds with one stone, kinda of thing.

Is MD5000 the model number because I am unable to find it.

I did a search myself and found the md1000, 1300 , 2010 and the md500 will do eveything you want it to do.. I got luck and found a MD1000 localy for half the cost they were selling on @#$%&.. I heard a lot of guys are buying Alps printers that don work.. The tech guy at Alps told me the same thing, so be careful.. Good luck.. Thanks Davesrods

The ALPs printer series is a bit different bird than the usual ink jet or laser jet printers. The ALPs has gotten good reviews for printing specialty items but not so good in the everyday office type color printer area. It's costly and much slower than the run of the mill ink jet. Thus, it may not be possible to kill those two birds with just one stone. Talk to those who are using the ALPs as their everyday color printer for office or home use before you buy.

.........................

Tom once again hit that one right, they are slow and unless you intend to do a lot of photo reproducing they are not cost effective at all.The only advantage of the 5000 over the lower cost units is it has the ability to hold 7 ink cartridges at one time over the 4 in the other models and it can print in Gold and Silver foil.
There is no need for Dye Sub capability in the printer and if used the results are no better then an ink jet, as the ink will fade over time.
If you are looking to do just metallic inscriptions find the lowest price Alps unit that will handle metallics,the next step is one that has an overlay feature for true decals{fish,dogs etc.}
Make certain any unit you look at is PC compatable some were made for the Mac.
Invest the real mony in a good inkjet for less then the cost of a 5000 you can get both a good ink jet and a lower cost used alps,
Dave is correct there are quite a few bad printers being sold used on e bay.
Good Luck
John

Thanks guys. Will hop over to @#$%& asap.

Agree with John and Tom. We have the 1300 model, almost exclusive for use with dye sub and making just labels, and we are using water slide decal paper for now.
It can print other stuff and other papers, to be sure, but you will waste cartrige ink and probably better to use the ink jet or lazer printers for higher speed.

It is a tough item to find nowadays, and to trust the condition. We luckily found one new from a smaller shop in Canada a couple of years ago, but I would venture no one would have one new in the box now. If so, consider it a lucky find. We conserve ours for special purpose usage, and for that purpose well desired, but for every day use wil sacrifice the cheaper cannon ink jet printer. For specialized photography...well I don't touch that subject yet for any expertise here.

Rich
Solyrich Custom Rods

I have a HP 722 can I make clear labe that produce custom luking lables on a clear flim

Bob:

Wish it would work, but it won't. The inks are too opaque and when you put it on a dark rod you can't see them. Kind of like when you use yellow thread and don't use color preserver. I've tried everything. If you use them on a white blank, they will do alright. I suspect the inks will eventually fade from sunlight anyway.

Ray Alston
Goldrush Rods

Bob regular ink jets have a two part problem 1st as Ray said the inks become translucent when applied to a blank and in some cases completley disapear.The use of a white backround as some transfer materials have will enable you to use them but the backround is now visible also,2nd in many cases the inks will smear and run when the finish is applied, for most unless you are doing a considerable number of rods would be to have the decals made for you. In addition Tom K has frequently mentioned have letter transfers made up in the colors of your choice.
John

I have the Alps MD1000 and use it exclusively for decals. The important advantages of the Alps "inks" is they are very opaque and waterproof. They also come in metallic colors and white which allows you to make an even more opaque background for colors that normally aren't. Alps claims their inks don't fade but time will have to answer that one--FlyDoctor