Wo-hoo! Found someone to make white decals, in low volume- like single sheets!

Commercial decals may be screen printed... another alternative is an old ALPS printer (no longer available) which can print with colors not available on regular printers- metallics, and white, for example. But who has one? And they are very expensive!

There are a few out there who offer custom decal service... I tried one well-known advertiser, but he said he couldn't work with normal files, all has to be vector graphics (can't handle a jpg or gif, which made no sense to me...), and it wasn't that cheap.

Through another forum, got a lead on Anthony Curcio, acuri AT aol DOT com , who has an ALPS and will do a single 4.5" x 5.5" sheet in white for less than $10.

I've got an order of draft markings going out, will report back!

Pat M

Cool, maybe I'll use him when I build my Chris Craft. Does he make waterslide, or peel and stick?

Waterslide, which is perfect for my current need- very small draft markings.
BTW, I didn't ask him about mutlicolor decals, but for the most part, it's been white markings that have caused me the most grief.

For peel and stick, I'll stick (!) with Callie Graphics.

Pat do you mean white print/graphics on a clear base decal?
There is a secret way do it at home...

Stu

Yes, and keep no secrets please!

I've done background-color printing on white decal stock, leaving the white markings as the unprinted area... but this has never been satisfactory. The white film is quite thick, leaving a visible edge around the cut decal, and the printed color is never a perfect match...

Good, I like waterslide, they're easier to work with.

I've also tried dry transfers onto clear decal stock... works for a few numbers or a short name, but graphics and long strings or columns are an issue... not enough of the right numerals on typical dry transfer sheets to do several draft marking columns, and lining them up perfectly is nearly impossible.

Maybe Mr. Curcio could be pursuaded to do generic draft markings in a few popular scales then we all get to order some from him?
Large Mike

I have an alps printer...
One of those surplus things that just wandered into the studio.

Used for the barge Leanne Joan.

Does it need fonts, Umi? Can't you just print any old graphic to it?

Originally Posted by patmat2350

Does it need fonts, Umi? Can't you just print any old graphic to it?

Oh yeah, it can print anything... But I had to match the font that Gunderson Marine uses, and sends to the shop for the welders to cut....
Turns out their "font" are object files created in Autocad... Not a font at all.

From time to time we see various cheap and dodgy black only ink-jet printers; you know the kind, the one where the replacement ink cartage cost more then the printer (Lexmark springs to mind), normally found in low-price stores (K-Mart and The Warehouse down here, perhaps Wal-Mart in the US), supermarkets and cut-price computer shops. Mine was $29NZ. Make sure that no ink has been through the printer, most come virgin. In a sink or somewhere else ink-proof pull off the top of the supplied cartage (some cutting and prying needed) and wash out all the black ink with alcohol or meths until it runs clear. Done.
Goto a large photographic store or supplier (down here Photowarehouse, US B&H Photo, Adorama, etc) and find the digital printer specialist and ask for white ink-jet ink. Put a small amount of ink in the cartage (it's not very stable outside of the bottle, so small amounts) and replace the top on the cartage. If you want you could glue the top on again and drill a small hole to refill/clean it. Place cartage in printer, do quick test to get the ink flowing. Then go for it.
Remember you have placed white ink in a black cartage, so anything you want to print has to be typed as/drawn in/converted to black on the computer.

Stu

Originally Posted by patmat2350

Yes, and keep no secrets please!

I've done background-color printing on white decal stock, leaving the white markings as the unprinted area... but this has never been satisfactory. The white film is quite thick, leaving a visible edge around the cut decal, and the printed color is never a perfect match...

Great method Stu, Thanks!

Received my decals from Anthony- white ALPS print on clear decal film. These were draft markings for the 1:144 Yamato (pix also posted here... and already installed them.

Anthony almost didn't want to do it, because the super small font (0.030" high) was blurring on his printer. I twisted his arm, explaining that if it's too small to print clearly, it's too small to read anyway! But I appreciate his honesty and concern.

And of course, like any decal, this needs to be applied to a glossy surface to avoid "silvering". Also note that most commercial decals screen on the film patch and then the ink, leaving only the smallest film edge. With this type, the film covers the whole sheet, so cut close to the decal, and again, apply to a glossy surface (Dulcote afterwards).

Pat M

Well, as mentioned on my Envoy thread, my latest white decals from the above source weren't so good... and he won't answer my e-mails, so he's either not around anymore, or just wants to act that way.

So I went to this source, a professional:
http://www.bedlamcreations.com/index2.htm

And as can be expected with a pro, there was a set up fee and proof involved, and they weren't cheap... but cheap is what I got last time, don't need that anymore.

The small white text was crisp, and was printed on great decal stock-- which can be identified by how fragile (thin) the clear layer is. Good thing he gave me two sets on the one sheet, I messed up a couple on the first try!

I did try one of the kit's depth marker decals... NG. Film is so heavy it looks like a vinyl sticker, and the numbers were mis-scaled. I won't miss them any.