Decals

Remember this. Ink jet printers do not print white. They just leave the white area blank. Decals need a color back ground to be used on any color surface. You could try double printing the decals. For the back ground(white) use an off white color such as cream or silver for the first print. For the second print add your colors. Keep in mind the darker the first color is the darker the color print will be. So you may need to play with the hue and tone of the second color.If you paint a car yellow for instance the first print could be yellow the apply colors to the second print.Again the darker the first color the darker your final print will be.

Bill, depending on your graphics program that you set stuff up in to print, I've had limited success printing a block of the car color around the actual decal on the white decal paper. You don't have to be too fussy trimming it that way. I have usually printed 3 to 4 sets of the same decal using different hues of the car color and then pick the closest one, car color wise. And, yes, it's a PITA but it's an option.

I run them through the printer twice allowing a few minutes in between for the ink to dry. The paper must be aligned correctly for the second print.

good info here guys.
still interested in printer preferences.

ink jet?
laser?

Al I’ve had a little experience with a few different printers over the years. I started with a cheap inkjet that worked good, then I got a couple of Alps but wore those out. I have a third one that’s hanging in there and I use it sparingly to print white and metallics. Last year I got a laser HP pro mfp m180nw and the little that I’ve used it so far it works great. The print quality is far superior than my Alps. The thing I like about the laser is that the decal is ready to use after printed. They don’t need anything applied over them before use. They now make a white toner for a lot of HP printers and I lucked out and can get one for mine. It’s called ghost white toner and they are pricy $214 but it would last a long time. The other 4 toner cartridges are about $125 for the set. The hot decal printer is the HP M254DW it takes the ghost white cartridge and is easier to get because of the popularity. It didn’t come out until after I got mine or that would have been the one I would’ve got. Micro Mark has the complete printer, ghost white and 4 color toner cartridges and paper for $690. You can get a new printer on eBay for around $200 and pick up the other stuff fairly cheap. As far as scanners go I’ve been using a cheap Cannon for years and the quality is good. The art program I use is Corel Draw 8 that can be picked up on eBay. When your ready for decal paper I can give you some advice on that if interested ? Hope all that helps ? Making decals can be very addictive.

Rick

I've used several ink jets over the years. I don't have the money for the Alps printers and parts are hard to get. Low budget decal maker that's me. Sometimes you have to get creative with the decals to get what you want. I am currently using a Canon MX922. It is a multi cartridge ink jet. It really does a good job. Very pleased with it. As with most name brand cartridges, they are expensive. But I have been using another brand ink that is very reasonable. I've had some good tips from our premier customizers here that have helped me tremendously with my decals. Sealing the decals is an important aspect of inkjet decal making as well. I was having trouble with my decals looking too thick under the clear. Thought it was the paper. Turned out I was using too much sealer. I now seal my decals with one thin coat of clear lacquer. Works great.