Possible new Decal Printer

klm wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

While at first reading it sounds great, the question of paper come to mind. You may need special paper and how will decal file react to the heat.

Frank

Haven't tried it but had the same thoughts regarding the new little Sony printer.

dvh

klm wrote:

But does it print white? If not, then it is not going to be much use.

in article snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com, klm at snipped-for-privacy@shaw.ca wrote on 11/28/03 6:15 AM:

There were two types of ALPS printers; one dye-sublimation and the other not. The latter was the preferred type for doing decals. Can't say why but I was told that dye-sublimation, while great for photos, was not good for decals.

The best thing about the ALPS was that it would print on any medium that you could load, and would print full color on any color stock. This included white which endeared it to modelers. If the printer won't do white, it's no better than a good ink-jet with archival inks.

MB

Incorrect. ALPS printers use two printing methods: dye sublimation, and "micro-dry inks" which are some kind of wax or resin. The cheaper models like my MD-1000 only do the latter.

I'm not sure if the dye sublimation mode would even work on decal film.

Dye-sub does not work for decals. First of all, the print not opaque at all. The print is meant to be on white paper, and can hardly been seen on any other color. Secondly, the heat almost always makes the decal paper melt & the ribbons stick and tear.

Not having used any of the printers before I am just tossing around possibilities.

The availability of a white decal sheet base seems to be a big problem in reproducing decals. Is it not possible to spray paint white laquer on the transparent decal sheet first? Dry, then print the decals in photo quality colour as shown in the printer ads. The ads imply that the sublimation process is superior to the ink jet. Sublimation conveys to me a printing process where micro spots of an opaque wax type ink is heat vaporized for deposition onto the print surface.