Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

White lettering decals

813 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 3,139 posts
Posted by chutton01 on Thursday, May 26, 2005 6:58 PM
I'll second (or third):
For a small application (only a few items to letter), use white dry transfer lettering onto blank (transparent) decal paper, coat with sealant (I think clear gloss finish might be best), and then apply as usual. Use the decal method cause dry transfers seem (to me) to be a pain to line up right on irregularly shaped 3- dimension objects' surfaces (er - models).
For a lot of items, go with the custom decal route.

Too bad the Alps printer concept never really took off, but then again I guess few people want to fool around with ribbon/tape cartridges nowadays.

Edit: Seems we may be waiting a while longer for white ink jet ink http://www.large-format-printers.org/UV-curable_flatbed_rigid_roll-to-roll_inkjet_printers/white_UV-curable_inkjet_printers.htm [:(!]
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, May 26, 2005 6:48 PM
Take some advice from a Scotsman who's never been to the Alps:

You can get white decal paper. Print the stuff you want around it in black (or whatever), and then cut out the letters. The paper itself is white, so you don't have to "print" the white. The white is there instead of transparent.

OK, I confess. I did go to Switzerland once. It was the world's biggest train set. Terrific scenery work. Everything ran like clockwork.

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

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Portland, OR
  • 3,119 posts
Posted by jfugate on Thursday, May 26, 2005 6:32 PM
If you are adventurous, have a need for more than a few custom white decals, and have spare cash, and willing to do some research, you can find an ALPS printer (still) on ebay now and then.

Ink cartridges are still available, and if you contact ALPS for repairs, they will exchange your old printer for a refurbished new one (for a hefty fee) so at least you won't be totally hung out to dry.

If you want the simple and easy route, just go get some custom decals made. It's probably cheaper than the ALPS option these days, too if you don't already have the printer. The only real advantage of getting an ALPS printer this late in the game is for the flexibility. If you already own an ALPS printer, you're in good shape, however ...

Not only will the ALPS printer do white decals, but you can print gold and silver ones as well.

Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 26, 2005 6:21 PM
You cannot print white with home inkjet printers. This requires special out of production printers made by ALPS. Better using custom decals or individual letter alphabet decal sets, or dry transfers.

Bob Boudreau
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Thornton Colorado
  • 195 posts
White lettering decals
Posted by Repairman87 on Thursday, May 26, 2005 6:08 PM
Anybody know how to print white ink on decal sheets? Is there a ink jet cart. that has white ink in it?

I only have a few locos to do and dont want to spend a ton of money on custom decal companys.

Thanks

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!