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decals

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  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Monday, May 23, 2005 11:03 PM
I have a color laser jet at work and I have an hp inkjet at home. The quality of the laser printer is photo quality and so I didn't even think about the inkjet when I was trying this out. I can tell you that the only issues that I came across were that I couldn't get the printing real small for my decals. That could have something to do with my using an excel program to set it up. The font size only goes down to 8 and I'm in N scale so I would like to have gone smaller. Would Microsoft Publisher help with that?
Philip
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 328 posts
Posted by bikerraypa on Monday, May 23, 2005 10:32 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jay_c

I haven't tried it yet, but what I've been told is that HP ink is water-soluble, but Epson inks are not. After my HP died after less than 5000 pages, I went to an Epson 3-in-1 (no fax). The sales guy where I bought it _claims_ Epson ink is water-proof, and for proof had a printout sitting in a jar of water. Ok, that's paper, but what about decal stock?


The Epson "DuraBrite" inks are waterproof, but I don't know about the others. I recently bought an Epson after my HP died, and I am getting ready to try my first run of decals.

Good luck to you!!


Ray out
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 7:49 PM
I haven't tried it yet, but what I've been told is that HP ink is water-soluble, but Epson inks are not. After my HP died after less than 5000 pages, I went to an Epson 3-in-1 (no fax). The sales guy where I bought it _claims_ Epson ink is water-proof, and for proof had a printout sitting in a jar of water. Ok, that's paper, but what about decal stock?
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, May 23, 2005 12:51 PM
They do make color laser printers. They are very expensive, so most people don't have them. You might find Kinko's or one of the office supply places could print a page for you.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: oregon
  • 885 posts
Posted by oleirish on Monday, May 23, 2005 9:52 AM
Thanks guys,will give it a try!!


OLE'IRISH
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Sunday, May 22, 2005 2:27 PM
I have used Microsoft Publisher to make decals, using a laser printer. The sealant is a must--it is absolutely required for inkjet-made decals (they are water soluble) and very helpful for laser decals (the edges tend to flake off when you cut out the decal.) Decals are by definition wet-transfer--dry transfers are different.

Laser means you're limited to black & white, but this is very useful for things like large building signs, or any place where you are applying to a black background--I just put a little paint around the edge of the decal to hide the edge.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
  • 7,982 posts
Posted by pcarrell on Sunday, May 22, 2005 1:22 PM
I made mine using an excel program and then printed it on clear decal stock and then covered it with a coating of sealent from a spray can. Got all the stuff at the LHS. Just be careful when applying the sealent. Put it on very lightly and in many coats that are allowed to dry between aplications. If you don't it will cause the final image to run and smear (found out the hard way). Also make sure that you get the right kind of decal stock for the job. They have two kinds; inkjet and laser. Get the kind for the printer you are going to use.

Good luck!
Philip
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: oregon
  • 885 posts
decals
Posted by oleirish on Sunday, May 22, 2005 10:29 AM
[:)]I was wondering who out there makes there own decals on there computer,and how do you do it?Dry or wet transfer?

[:)]OLE'IRISH

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