Fast Tracks

This subject is not in the normal for Fast Tracks forum, but thought I would mention it. Most of us model railroaders have a need for custom decals. Once the artwork is done you have to find someone to print it. It gets costly, especially when you need a few but have to order a minimum quantity. If you print your own you must use them on a white or very light object, or cut out white decal water slide backing pieces for darker color items. Impossible to do with very small text and numbers. I currently send the artwork to Microscale and have them print only the white, then print the colors on a inkjet .001" larger all around, coat it with Crystal Clear, then apply the color over the white after it has been set and dry. It works very well, but even just white is expensive and you have to order so many sheets of it for a minimum.

I have contacted HP about the possibility of a printer that would utilize a white cartridge. Nothing is currently available, although there are some very expensive ($100k and up) inkjet printers coming onto the market that print white. It is just a matter of time before the home user will have access to this technology at an affordable price.

What I am asking everyone to try to do is this: Contact as many printer manufacturers as you can and request/suggest a printer that will do the following:

1. Print the color opaque white.
2. Print it as a "spot color" and as a layer competely covering the area the color goes on, retrieving the paper without ejecting it, keep registration, then print the color layer in a single pass like they do now.
3. Use inks as near to waterproof and opaque as possible.

There is a printer that will do this. I have tried a couple of them with not so good results. The ALPS uses ribbon cartridges. They are no longer made. Ribbon cartridges are getting scarcer and more expensive. They are S-L-O-W, contrary to use, and die very easily. When you have a good one, however, you have one you can use (carefully) for a long time.

Thanks,
Littletree

HP has contacted me twice about this, although they have not indicated they are/aren't going to pursue it. I believe it was just courtesy calls. Has anyone from this forum made any requests to printer mfgr's yet?

Thanks,
Littletree

I would be willing to pursue conversations with HP with you as well.

I have Photoshoped several custom decals in the past myself. I now exclusively do my own decal work even if it is availably commercially. I only purchase the white, as I cant print it.

Can you provide me the contact information to whom you talked to at HP? I?ll be more than happy to start bugging them as well. As always there is power in numbers, and if they see the numbers are high, than they will profit from it and we will be able to print white.

I am not sure who I contacted, it was via e-mail or mentioned in a phome call to their Tech Help department. The CEO of HP called me and discussed it for a few moments. but nothing was in the works, at least that could be discussed. I am still hoping that someday this will be available.

Thanks for the interest and support.

Littletree