Decal Pro "Decal" maker

[Foxer]

This link was posted on the Automotive Forums.com and is a different process to make graphics to apply to your builds. It can do all white and metallic but I'm not sure yet about a colored decal with white areas. Something worth exploring for sure but it's not exactly dirt cheap.

Decal Pro

Edited June 28, 2011 by Foxer

[Zoom Zoom]

It's not exactly new, it's been around quite awhile. It takes some good practice, and probably will never provide the crisp graphics that an Alps would provide. That said, it is an alternative. A friend bought the system, we did a test, and it looked promising. That's as far as it went. It's not something that you'll get great results from right out of the gate, it's a bit convoluted and you have to follow the directions to a "T".

[Foxer]

My head's usually in the sand, so I hadn't seen it before. It perked my interest seeing it printed white but right off it doesn't look like what I was hoping for. I have an old build of our companies Surveying truck ind the logo HAS to have white in half of it. Only an Alps seemed to be the way, so it looks like it may stay in the unfinished pile.

[roadhawg]

I thought about getting an Alps at one time, but for me, the most cost-effective solution to custom decals was to learn to do my own artwork (the most expensive part of getting custom decals made) and outsource the actual printing to someone that has an Alps. That way, I don't have to worry about ink, maintainence, parts, etc.

[sjordan2]

I followed a thread on another forum where an experienced builder was using this product. He found it to be very hit-or-miss, and eventually gave up in frustration.

For other purposes, I have used a heat transfer method for chrome sticker graphics, which may or may not work with waterslide decals because of the heat applications (haven't tried it). I've made chrome logo horn buttons, etc. Choose paper of the background color you want, copy your art on a printer that uses toner (doesn't work with inkjet), tape the heat transfer foil over the area (available from Papilio), then run it through a heat laminating machine such as that recommended by Decal Pro (usually under $100).

http://www.papilio.com/metallic%20gold%20silver%20transfer%20foil%20blue%20green%20red.html

[jsimmons]

and outsource the actual printing to someone that has an Alps

Where does one locate such a service?

[roadhawg]

Where does one locate such a service?

You could start HERE. Personally, I use Diecasts And Decals. Whoever you choose should be able to tell you what you need to get your artwork print ready.

[jsimmons]

You could start HERE. Personally, I use Diecasts And Decals. Whoever you choose should be able to tell you what you need to get your artwork print ready.

Coolness.