"What Printer Are You Using"

I'm creating this thread for the same purpose of the "Who Is AirBrushing" discussion.
Link------
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=254684&page=4

The AirBrushing thread allowed many of us Customizers to post what setups we use thereby creating a good database for first time buyers of an AirBrush or for those wishing to upgrade their current AirBrush setup.
It is a popular thread filled with Customizer interaction from many HT Boards and even some comments from brand new members.

I want to thank the SlotCar guys, the RC guys, the Model guys and the Customizers all from here at HT for replying with your knowledge, experience and opinions all of which make these discussions successful and valuable.
Many of us have interests in all four of these Diecast related categories.

I'm writing this "What Printer" thread to shed light on the pursuit of printing the best Decals possible right at home.

For 5 years I used an Epson CX6400 InkJet Printer/Copier/Scanner with dead perfect results.
Not being one to accept anything other than perfect imagery for my Custom Decals and those that I sell, I stuck with the Epson CX6400 because it produced Decals with superior clarity, depth, and blending of colors.

The day before I left on vacation to New Orleans the Epson gave out.
It just stopped because the Ink Waste Pads had reached their full capacity.
Like a pre WW II Plymouth it was heavy, solid and ran smooth and quiet.
But just like Ford no longer makes the '79 LWB F-150, Epson no longer makes the CX series of printers.
I'll keep the Epson and when I find time I'll repair it.

Upon returning to Houston I purchased 4 new model printers before their results showed which would suit my purposes for flawless Decal production.
First I bought the Epson NX415 Printer/Copier/Scanner,
Wanting to stick with the Epson brand I was very disappointed in the noisy, clumsy operation of this new NX415.
Testing 8 different sheeets of Clear InkJet Decal Paper under different Glossy settings, the Epson just would not lay down enough Black ink and tiny stainless toothed gears directing paper across the rollers, left tracks across all the Decal images,
Returned that sucker, 1 down 3 to go,

Walked back to the same department and bought the Epson NX515 Printer/Copier/Scanner,
Same exact problems after another 8 sheets of testing,
Brought that sucker back and got my cash,

Both the Epson NX415 and NX515 were sleek lightweight, low profile machines seemingly designed more for aesthetics than superior results.
Both NX models were on sale at $99 and $129 respectively with 4 ink combo paks running from $60 to $80.
They, the NX series and the Epson Workforce series, are all there is to choose from besides the also new Epson Artisan series.

So,
I purchase an Epson Artisan 800 Printer/Copier/Scanner on sale for $249, top of the line Epson in the under $500 range.
Again, It just didn't cut the mustard and Meritline.com, a generic ink supplier for all printers made, did not yet offer generic inks for this model.
Original Epson Inks run around $85 for the set of 4.

I buy inks for my Epson CX6400 from Meritline for as little as $1.30 per cartridge and have done so since the factory supplied set ran out 5 years ago after first purchasing the unit.

All during the purchases made I am online searching down all possible info, features, reviews, ink costs, etc. on all brands of Printers that offer individual color cartridges.
Individual Color Cartridges allow you of course to only replace a single color when it is low.

Now you're wondering what is the 4th Printer that I bought.
I purchased an HP PhotoSmart C6380 Printer/Copier/Scanner from Office Depot on sale for $149.95.
It comes with two things I don't need, Wireless capability and a 2.5" video screen.
But, the money was right and I didn't want the HP OfficeJet series.
The PhotoSmart C6380 is heavy, quiet and smooth running.
It comes with individual Ink Cartridges with the ability to accept high capacity Ink Cartridges.
It's a new model Printer from HP but Meritline.com offers replacement cartridges at greatly reduced prices from normal , far less than half price.

After going through 24 sheets of Clear InkJet Decal Paper testing the Epsons, my very first attempt with this HP C6380 is a Grand Slam.
It also comes with two paper trays allowing me to print Custom Decals on Decal Paper cut down to 5" x 7".
With this feature I can cut a sheet of Decal Paper in half should I not want to print a full 8.5" x 11" page of images.

I'm hoping that replies to this thread may assist everyone in printing their own decals and/or choosing a new Printer.

So,
Like the "Who Is AirBrushing" thread, here is what I'm asking,

1.) What Printer are you using for copying and printing imagery, Decals or otherwise? Include the brand, model number, etc.

2.) What Decal Paper supplier are you currently using and what others have you used? I use only Clear InkJet Decal Paper from Papilio.com

3.) What do you think of your printed results? Color, clarity, depth, blending of colors, any dithering (bleeding around edges of text and images).

4.) Are you using any special settings for printing your Custom Decals.

Just these 4 simple questions to start with.
Add in anything you like.
Ask any questions you have about producing your own Custom Decals.

--CadillacPat the Uncustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

THANKS for the information Pat.
Printing decals is something I would LOVE to do one day, but I really need a few minutes to sit down and figure out how to do it. I'm a bit computer illerate and it's a challenge for me.
I have a cannon ip3300 printer that makes GREAT photo quality prints. It has 4 colour cartridges that cost about $18 Canadian each.
I've never tried to do decals with it, but like I said, photos look GREAT.

Looking forward to what others have to say, and to see if someone has a printer like I do.

Hey 442,
And thank you for your info,
Here's a link to my "Make Your Own Decals" post,
I've got a followup coming soon for using Photoshop to create and print your own Custom Decals at home.

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=173405

And some additional info I've written for creating your own Decals,

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=169458

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=193943

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=185811

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=185813

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/Rt66SilverBulletWebEmail.jpg

I have an Epson R800 and, sadly, have the same problem you described with the black ink. :-(

I have the c6280 pat and it does really good, on photos, havnt tried decals yet.. i think the only difference is the wireless part you have on the 6380, also if i am to print high quality i set it to photo print.

Pat, my printer is an old HP6122 deskjet that my dad had given me about 4 years back used. It has always done an excelent job on photo color printing, but since it is getting old I do have to make sure I clean the rollers now and than. It's biggest draw back is the cost of color cartridges, one of the most expensive of the deskjet line. It's biggest advantage is the ability to leave it idle for many months on end without any ink evaporation or clotting.

The paper I use is Testors decal paper and some other brand I can't even remember the name of I had gotten off ebay a few years back. The results are about the same with both. I have recently purchased some Testors white decal paper for my latest project, but have yet to try it. I need to make a paint color swatch first so as to match the background color on the print to the actual paint.

As for printer results they're not to bad for a six year old printer. Here is the original artwork I made for my Brutus project. All artwork was done on Corel Draw
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/2827/brutusmaster001.jpg

Here we have the actual artwork printed out on premium glossy photo paper scaled to 13% The scan was done at 100% and the quality is actually not that bad. It looks far better, crisper and more legible than my scanner is able to register probally because my scanner is close to 10 years old.
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8389/brutus100.jpg

Here is a more detailed scan done at 500% resoloution. Still an inactuate portrayal but it does give a little better example of the print quality. I really do need to clean my scanner glass though don't you think :drunk:
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2999/brutus900.jpg

Don't have much in the way of any speacial technique for printing except that I do all my printing thru Corel Draw or Photoshop so as I can do exact scaling as well as background matches if needed. My ultimate goal is to someday find a decent used Alps printer and ditch the frustrations of inkjet decals once and for all.

Thanks Fozzie and MiniCup.

Gray, looks like a very crisp print!!!!
Thanks for the details.

I scan casting bodies right on the scanner glass at 300dpi and then pull them up in PhotoShop, crop, straighten and save as at 600dpi.
Then I just create my Decals on layers on top of the original scan.

Personally I'm completely satisfied with the myriad of ways InkJet Decals can be used on Light Colors, Metallics and even Dark Colors.
I bought another InkJet in favor over the Laser printers also.
The blending of InkJet Colors and their layered effects are but a couple of aspects which make me choose InkJet Printers over ALPS.
For the money and the time searching down parts and supplies I would just go ahead and pay $20 per page of ALPS Decals should I ever want them.
I don't like the flat one dimensional appearance of ALPS Decals.

Gray, check out Papilio.com for Clear InkJet Decal Paper.
It's the best brand and the only stuff I use.
A 10 sheet pack delivered is around $17.

Every couple of months they send you a coupon for Buy One Pack and Get One Free.

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

Hi Pat:wave:
I think I have seen some of your free templates around here somewhere I dont have a printer hooked up yet but when I do Im gonna try some ideas!

I dont have a printer. But saved this in my files for future reference.
Thanks for the info!

I have a couple Kodak AIO printers
What do I need to use so I can do some decals for the doors and windows in my Hobby Shop
I need to know what software
What paper
What settings

I would like to do some myself rather than paying someone to do it
I need to make the following
POP
Magic The Gathering Cards
Trading Cards
Water
Candy
Hot Wheels
Batteries
Misc other Items

LMK what you folks can d to help

Hey Bob, You're welcome,

James I'll pull up some Competition Stripes I gave away here on HT,

Hey ProMatchRacer,
I see you're an RC fanatic, thanks for coming over and joining in,

Look back up at the top of this thread for my "Make Your Own Decals" link.
It's written for Word of Word Processor.
Since you're only wanting to make signs of text at this point, your task is very easy.

What you want to do can be accomplished by using White Decal Paper or Clear Adhesive Sheets.
InkJet images are somewhat transparent so placing signs up on windows will require a colored field behind the text.
White Decal paper will work.
Signs placed on a door can use Clear Adhesive Sheets unless the door is a very dark color.

Decals made on a home InkJet printer do not have the white base that factory produced Decals (those in Model kits) have.
But, that doesn't stop me from using them for any situation or application.
Once told that InkJet Decals could not be used over dark colors I simply invented ways to accomplish the same results.

You can buy White and Clear InkJet Decal paper from Papilio.com
They also carry the Clear Adhesive Sheets and those can also be purchased at Office Depot.

Settings are easy.
You make your settings for the type paper you are using.
Select Best Photo and Glossy Photo Paper.
Once the sheets print allow them to dry.
Since you are making signs you may seal and clearcoat your signs with any Clear you have available.
Any RattleCan Clear.

James, here's some Competition Stripes,
Just right click and save.
They are created at 600dpi,
The Camaro Stripes fit the HW '67 Camaro and the straight Stripes will fit a variety of HW's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/Competition%20Stripes/RedHorizonHood64acopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/Competition%20Stripes/BlueHorizonHood64acopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/Customizing%20Tools/RedBirdCamaroStripescopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/Customizing%20Tools/FloatingCamaroStripesAlienSkycopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/Customizing%20Tools/StrawberryFieldsCamaroStripescopy.jpg

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

Are there any somewhat affordable printers out now that can print the color white?

No Dan,

Short answer,

No.

InkJets don't print white!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But like I said, there are many ways to get around that.

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

Are there any somewhat affordable printers out now that can print the color white?
The Alps/OKI printer was the only printer avaible for home use that was capable of printing the color white as well as true metalics. Unfortunately the printer is no longer manafactured and supplies are rather hard to come by here in North America. There are companys that still manafacture supplies for the printer but I hear they are only available thru overseas outlets wich can get a little costly. Used Alps printers can still be had on ebay (as well as supplies) for around $500 or less depending on condition and included supplies, but they are used and as always you don't really know what your getting untill you get it. It's the one thing that has really prevented me from buying one.

Thanks CadillacPat and grayhouse for your really quick answers

I have been using an hp6500 for years. It has always printed photos excellently. Most of my work (real life job) has gone digital but I still use the hp6500 at least once a month for color photos and they still look great. I have used it a couple times to print decals and they came out pretty good. one of my decal attempts was a grave digger decal for the side of my 1/10 rc. it came out pretty good but after a year of hard bashing its not quite as nice as it was.

here is a pic. the quality of the image wasn't perfect to begin with, but I was pleased with the result, as was my son who drives it.
http://kistner.ws/rc/gdrustler.jpg

Thanks for adding in Kistner,
Looks like you probably used White Decal Paper,

Not all images found on the Net are of great quality,
Just depends on where you look.

However there are features in graphics programs like PhotoShop that will allow you to enhance any image, sometimes into very usable Decals.

Resolution, Saturation, Contrast, Color enhancement all can boost a fair image into a usable one.
Of course once you get past certain sizes, more than a couple of inches, then the fact that the image was not too good to begin with may start to become evident.

Yours looks good and I'm sure your son is proud of it.

I printed some more Decals with my HP C6380 last night and I have to say I'm really liking it.

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

Just wanted to let everyone know that Kodak has come out with a new line of printers. You've probally seen the comercials. There ink cartridges are supposed to be 50% less expensive than the average cartridge due to the fact that they dont contain the printhead. This is nothing new. Many printers work this way but they still use expensive inks. Maybe they just decided to lower there profit margin to only 400% instead of the usual 800%...who knows. The real important thing however, besides the cost of ink is that there new inks are pigment based, not the usual dye based like most others. This means that there inks are waterproof and gauranteed fade resistent. To us decalers out there that waterproof feature is quite significant. Now they don't print the color white, or metalics, but being able to print out decals without having to seal them is at least one often hit-or-mis pain iliminated. I'll have to do some further research on the printers in regards to print quality. The expense of paper needed for pigment based inks, including what type of water slide decal paper can be used, and needless to say are there inks truly 100% waterproof. Providing they can meet all my criteria I think I will have found my next printer. Now if they can just put out one with a white ink cartridge.

That's interesting Gray,
I did a lot of online research of product reviews before I went through several new style Epsons and finally purchased my HP C6300.
My final choices came down to Epson, Canon and HP.
I ruled out the Canon, returned all the Epsons, and finally decided to keep the HP after the first page I printed out with it.

Image quality on advanced types Photopaper was my only criteria along with individual ink cartridges being a must.

My previous Epson came with Durabrite smudgeless ink that was brilliant in color and dry as soon as it came out of the Printer.
The Decals sheets had to be sealed but I've never experienced a problem with sealing my Decal sheets no matter what products I used.

Buy your printer from a store that will allow you to return it.
I returned 4 brand new Epsons, no questions asked.

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/WebsizeMFBlackLabel.jpg

Not looking for the full Parma kit, but looking to do something a little custom on a differnt body.

Any suggestions on how to get some of the nice imagry?

Not looking for the full Parma kit, but looking to do something a little custom on a differnt body.

Any suggestions on how to get some of the nice imagry?

If you are talking about the crazy coloured graphics pat posted, do a google image search for "fractal":thumbsup: