I NEED YOUR HELP TO PRINT COLOR DECALES - ALPS PRINTER REQUETSED | FerrariChat
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I NEED YOUR HELP TO PRINT COLOR DECALES - ALPS PRINTER REQUETSED

Discussion in 'Collectables, Literature, & Models' started by BLACK HORSE, Jan 23, 2009.

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  1. BLACK HORSE

    BLACK HORSE Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2004
    1,967
    California - Bay Area
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    Rob
    #1 BLACK HORSE, Jan 23, 2009
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2009
    Hi eveyone,

    I need help from anyone who owns a ALPS printer to develop water-soluble decals and able to print white color ink... My two sons are in Cub Scouts now and I'm building both of them their Pinewood Derby cars for their up coming race on Feb 7th and I would like both boys to win the "Best Design" category trophy. I've already finished creating the decal graphics using my Adobe Illustrator software which I can email a pdf or ai files to you. I need two 8-1/2 x 11 decal sheets. I'm able to pay anyone for their time and the supplies used. Please PM me with your email if you're able to help and I do appreciate it. ;)

    Thx
    Rob
    California
     
  2. AustinMartin

    AustinMartin F1 Veteran

    Mar 1, 2008
    5,445
    Los Angeles/Idaho
    #2 AustinMartin, Jan 23, 2009
  3. ItalianHorses

    ItalianHorses Formula Junior

    Feb 16, 2004
    390
    #3 ItalianHorses, Jan 23, 2009
  4. BLACK HORSE

    BLACK HORSE Formula 3
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    #4 BLACK HORSE, Jan 23, 2009
    I did... The Testors decal sheets that you pay $12 is a waste of money and it doesn't work well. The main problem with the Testor's products is that the ink from a laser jet printer doesn't attach to the decal paper very well, and even if you let the ink dry for a day, once you cut out the graphics and dip into the water, the ink comes off. Also another big problem, all printers besides ALPS printers don't have the ablility to print white color ink which if the model is painted a dark color like red, the printed graphics on the Testor's paper are translucent once applied to the model. :(

    Two years ago I had a very helpful F-chatter (A great guy) was able to printed some decals for a diecast project I was working on with his ALPS printer printed on water-soluble paper, and the final results were awesome. The quality of the decals were the same if your bought a model kit from the hobby shop. I tried to contact him again but it's been a few days now, and I haven't heard back from him yet. I'm currently under a time restraint to get the derby cars ready for the race on Feb 7th.

    Rob
     
  5. Peperbus

    Peperbus Karting

    Jul 8, 2008
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    Ton
    #5 Peperbus, Jan 23, 2009
    After printing the decals need to be sealed with a sealer (microsol)
     
  6. BLACK HORSE

    BLACK HORSE Formula 3
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    Rob
    #6 BLACK HORSE, Jan 23, 2009

    Nope... I also tried this solution too and it doesn't work. I explained my printing problems to the guy at the hobby shop, and he told me to do the same thing. So I bought a can of decal sealer for $5.95, and waited a day after applying to the decals.... and the ink still dissolves in the water but not that quickly :( I've wasted about almost $20 on Testor's products and I don't want to go down that road again. I rather just give the $20 to someone with a ALPS printer to do the job right.
     
  7. the_stig

    the_stig F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2005
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    #7 the_stig, Jan 23, 2009
  8. wpbekker

    wpbekker Formula Junior

    Dec 27, 2006
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    Holland
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    Wouter Bekker
    #8 wpbekker, Jan 23, 2009
    I use Testors decal paper (they offer white and clear) and a their sealer which can be sprayed. After a day or two of drying it will work perfectly.
    But sometimes you have to do some tricks like sticking a plain white decal with the right dimensions and form at the right place on the model and then stick the final decal on top of it.

    Kind regards,
    Wouter Bekker
     
  9. texas43

    texas43 Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2006
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    Andre Cannizzaro
    #9 texas43, Jan 24, 2009
  10. Dino Scuderia

    Dino Scuderia Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2005
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    Southeast US
    #10 Dino Scuderia, Jan 24, 2009
    The problem with ALPS printers is keeping them functioning for more than 15 minutes....and the repairs are expensive.
     
  11. Camoradi

    Camoradi Karting

    Jun 12, 2006
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    Steve Barnett
    #11 Camoradi, Jan 25, 2009
    LOL! I'm with you there. Mine would fire into action first time it was switched on, or maybe three weeks later, with no apparent reason as to why. If I needed to print decals I'd have to plan well ahead and keep my fingers crossed, often with hours spent trying to get it working. It finally gave up and now I'm without it, but the output is superb, when they work.

    Steve
     
  12. Zoom Zoom

    Zoom Zoom Karting

    Jul 15, 2006
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    Bob
    #12 Zoom Zoom, Jan 25, 2009
    An Alps is the printer version of a vintage Italian or British car. Brilliant when working. All other times, eh...not so much. It's the only game in town for printing white/foils/metallics. When it will actually print and not make sounds of death when you hit "print".
     
  13. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 22, 2004
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    #13 furmano, Jan 25, 2009

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