I am having a heck of a time trying to make white lettering on an inkjet photo quality printer. The best I have been able to is with white background decal paper. I make the text, then draw a box around it and fill the box with the color of the boxcar. The only problem is that there is a faint white border around the edge of the decal after I have cut it out for soaking. I have been trying to match it with applications of paint so it blends into the car. I would be able to match it perfectly if I had the RBG color combination listed on the paint tube. I am using Liquitex paints. Other than test printings and sight assessment, is there another or easier way? Or other than laser decals, is there a better method?
The only printers that print in white are the ALPS, which are out of production. Used ones are sold on eBay, though. Kodak now has rebranded ALPS style printers in its "FirstCheck" series, but they are out of the price range for hobby use. I have had varying success using white decal paper for end reporting marks.
Mark, I use the following technique for white decals on black locos such as steamers. Print the decal with clear lettering and a black background. Paint a white rectangle on the area where the decal will go, ensuring that the rectangle is larger than lettering, but smaller than the decal black backgroud area. Lay on the decal, then paint it with a clear matte dull coat once it has dried. This technique also would work well for loco colors other than black, but I think it would be more difficult to match the inkjet background color to the loco color.
Another interesting technique I read about once was making a decal of the ENTIRE side. Paint the entire side/panel of the boxcar white, and apply the large decal. From what I can remember about the article it worked pretty well. just a thought, Tim
What about using a Digital laser printer? That should print out the white needed. Stay cool and run steam.....
Hank: I have a HP 2600NS and it reproduces any color format in vivd coloring. My wife uses it for graphic art reproductions and I use it as well. Stay cool and run steam.....
But, the 2600 doesn't print white, does it? According to the specs, it comes with black, cyan, yellow, and magenta ink.. Plus, I think the original post assumes an inkjet printer, since that's what he has Tim
The 2600NS prints any color Hank asked me about the 2600NS which I've used since it came out on the market. Stay cool and run steam.....
Ok, so no white.. I just thought I'd found my new magic printer The ALPS is gettin' old and grey.. Tim
Do they still make those refillable ink cartridges for inkjets? I haven't seen those for a while. But if they did, and you refilled, for instance, a yellow cartridge with white ink, you could just pop your special cartridge in and print your decal 'yellow'. The printer wouldn't know it was really white ink. Of course, I'm just thinking out loud here, and may be full of it. Anyway, does that sound possible?
Most printers don't print white. no white ink. White is just the negitive space or non-print area. A black & White printer actually only prints black. the white is the color of the paper - anywhere the black does not print. If you want to see for sure, Print something in white and also try putting white type or white box over a black or any other color background. Print it onto any colored paper. if the white shows up as the color of the paper, then the printer does not print white. of course if you use white paper, it will show up white. Options to print white maybe vynil graphics, silk screening or??? if you want to do some reading about printing white: http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/printing/f/white_ink.htm [ April 11, 2006, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: Kozmo ]
this could work if: 1) you could wash the cartridge out very thoroughly so you do not end up with a yellow tainted white. 2) if you can get a white ink that will work with it. some may be too thick or too thin, etc. if you could get a clean cartridge and some different white inks to try, then give it a try.
Or, the ever popular ALPS printers. I've got the cheapest one of the line and it prints white wonderfully. But, it has trouble with many other colors... Since I model GN/BN/NP.. I use a lot of white Tim
Ok, so no white.. I just thought I'd found my new magic printer The ALPS is gettin' old and grey.. Tim </font>[/QUOTE]Tim, I don't know anything about today's laser printers, but when dealing with light and optics, white is created when you have all colors present, i.e. "white light". On the other hand, with pigments such as paints, dyes, and inks, you get black when you mix all colors. So I don't know what to say.... I hope Bob can clarify this. Originally laser color printers and copiers used pigmented plastic toner material. Although I'm sure alot has been developed since I retired 8 years ago.
A while back when I was looking for white toner ink, I found a web site for a University printing department that said it could print white lettering. Well, I think it was a joke, but the nice lady had thousands of inquiries in an hour and took it off her web page! Just like the white LED problem, we don't have white toner available because no one has called up Xerox and asked if they would make it! Certainly, there should be a lot of craft outlets that would like it for colored paper, beside our uses for decals. I wonder if Jim Hinds would call them up, he seems to know how to get them to listen. He would make a killing with a 100% markup (I'd pay anything for white decals! ) [ April 12, 2006, 09:35 AM: Message edited by: Tony Burzio ]
Sometimes I feel like that Gump guy in the movie. Stupid is as stupid does. Where is it written in the annals of model railroading that if I want to make decals for reporting marks, etc. for the LLL that I need do it in white? I am looking right now at a bunch of reefers that are either white or shades of yellow and have black reporting marks on them. The LLL cabooses are tan. If I make my box cars in a raw sienna or a shading thereof and use black lettering, I am home free. I got caught thinking within the box. Knowing the management of the LLL intimately, I cannot fault them for finding a bargain in either black or very dark gray naval surplus paints and purchasing a decades long supply.
Some links with info: http://www.kpgraphics.com/usc/products/packaging/products/first_check_p.html http://www.kpgraphics.com/news/pr_2004/first_check_mac.html a review: http://www.digitaloutput.net/content/ContentCT.asp?P=211 $4,995
At $4,995 a copy, I think the Saucier & Southern Paint Shop will stick with white paint under clear (reverse) lettered decals....
