Fernando Roman Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Can anyone give suggestions on good inkjet printers and decal paper to print decals with good resolution? I would prefer an all-in-one so that I can use it for general purposes also, but I would consider getting a dedicated one for this task. Would photo printers be a better choice (better resolution)? Also, any tips on paper brands, processing programs, etc. will be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lownslow Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 i had good results with Kodak printers but they tend to be a pain maintanance wise but Kodak is quick and cheap with repairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronw Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Any photo quality printer should be fine, you really only need 600 dpi or so and most good printers can exceed this. One of the big things I would look at is replacement cartridge cost which can vary quite a bit. I've had good luck with HP printers, but Canon, Epson, Kodak etc all make decent printers. More than the printer I would suggest you consider a vector based graphics program like Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator to get the most from your printer. Using a pixel based program like MS Paint, photoshop etc letters start to blur when they get below about to 1/10", with a vector based program you can print crisp lettering that requires a magnifying glass to read. Vector based programs also allow you to work on your artwork at a large size and reduce to the print size without distortion, pixel based programs distort (pixilate) as you adjust the size. If you try to get the latest greatest version it can be expensive but you can usually find older versions fairly cheap and they should work just fine for decals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Roman Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks for your help guys! Aaronw, do you know if there is a tutorial available on how to use the software? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronw Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) Thanks for your help guys! Aaronw, do you know if there is a tutorial available on how to use the software? Thanks again I bought Corel Draw X3 about 4 years ago, it included several very helpful tutorials. There is also a Corel Draw forum on the Corel Draw site, I've used it a few times for help and it seems to have some pretty handy people hanging out. Here are a couple of tutorials related to decals, they are primarily focused on using an ALPS printer but still pretty helpful regardless of the printer used. They also are using Corel Draw so it can be some help there as well. http://www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/models/decals.htm http://www.tangopapadecals.com/Make%20your...ecals%20101.pdf One of the neat things with Corel Draw is you can convert pixel based images to vector based. These generally need some clean up, but it can save you time by transfering a photo of your design into the program. Also if you don't want to deal with ebay, but don't want to pay full price either look for a student / teacher edition if you or someone you know is a student there is a significant price reduction on those versions. Edited February 22, 2009 by Aaronw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Roman Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 I bought Corel Draw X3 about 4 years ago, it included several very helpful tutorials. There is also a Corel Draw forum on the Corel Draw site, I've used it a few times for help and it seems to have some pretty handy people hanging out. Here are a couple of tutorials related to decals, they are primarily focused on using an ALPS printer but still pretty helpful regardless of the printer used. They also are using Corel Draw so it can be some help there as well. http://www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/models/decals.htm http://www.tangopapadecals.com/Make%20your...ecals%20101.pdf One of the neat things with Corel Draw is you can convert pixel based images to vector based. These generally need some clean up, but it can save you time by transfering a photo of your design into the program. Also if you don't want to deal with ebay, but don't want to pay full price either look for a student / teacher edition if you or someone you know is a student there is a significant price reduction on those versions. Wow! There's great info on these sites. I appreciate all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronw Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I realized I didn't mention paper. If you go with an inkjet printer I found Bare Metal Foil and Micromark's paper worked well. Testors thinner than the other two which is nice for areas where the decal has to go over detail, but the odd size paper is annoying to use, I ended up taping it to a full size sheet of paper. All are available in clear and white film. I now make decals on a laser printer or ALPS and have been really happy with the Tango Papa paper, but he doesn't sell paper for ink jet printers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hello, I have an all in one (printer - scanner - copier) HP psc1350xi It is about 2 years old and it is wonderful. I printed some decals for my C6R, and some minor decals here and there, but last month I did all the decals for 2 aircraft models in 1/200 with excellent results: This is the same printer I use for my scale wall artwork. I use the clear Microscale decal paper with either microscale or Testors decal bonder. I used the Testor's decal kit once and it worked well, but the paper is small. The Microscale white paper is not very opaque. It is almost transparent. So if anyone has a good suggestion for a white opaque decal paper I'm listening. You can go around this problem by either using aftermarket white decals or painting the white surface, depending on the complexity of the graphic. I've heard you can paint the decal paper with Tamiya TS white and print over it but I haven't tried that. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronw Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 All of the white paper I've used is transluscent, I would think they could makle one with a very solid white but no one does that I know of. The only things I found to get around it are painting white underneath it as you mentioned, or putting multiple layers of the white decal paper. Even ALPS printers which can print white have some trouble with white decals over dark colors, it is sometime neccessary to double print the white parts of the decal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Roman Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Thanks again guys! Ismael, I looked for the printer you have, but its discontinued. I was able to find one that's similar and the cartdriges are not too expensive, as Aaronw suggested. Now, do you print using a "photo mode" on the printer? What I need to do is re-size an image I have from the web for my application. Scanning it from a magazine could be another option. Which option would you consider having the best resolution? For example: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I print in the best quality photo setting, set at "other specialty paper" I don't think the paper type really makes a difference. It's just that if you specify regular paper it goes to normal instead of best. I personally prefer an image from the web or a digital picture. Scanning is usually my last option since I have a hard time adjusting the colors properly and fighting digital noise and grain. That may be caused by the operator, not the machine Of course if the image from the web is a scan from a mag you can be back to square 1.... You can also draw the artwork if needed. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Roman Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 I print in the best quality photo setting, set at "other specialty paper" I don't think the paper type really makes a difference. It's just that if you specify regular paper it goes to normal instead of best. I personally prefer an image from the web or a digital picture. Scanning is usually my last option since I have a hard time adjusting the colors properly and fighting digital noise and grain. That may be caused by the operator, not the machine Of course if the image from the web is a scan from a mag you can be back to square 1.... You can also draw the artwork if needed. Thanks, Thanks, Ismael. I'm going to try your suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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