I’ve done my own decals before with an inkjet and they turned out pretty good. However, I’m on my 3rd inkjet printer that’s failed within a month or two of purchase and I’m kind of sick of it. Thinking of upgrading to a better quality laserjet printer. Anybody know if you can make custom decals on these?
Thanks!
Chris
You can if you get decal paper specifically for laser printers. Micro Mark carries decal paper for use with laser printers.
Just do not try to use inkjet decal paper. As the above post says, there are seperate decal papers for inkjet and laser printers. Also, there are actually two types of paper for each type paper- clear decal sheets for dark decals that will go over light colors, and white decal sheets for light colored decals (or any decal containing any light colors) that go over dark colors.
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I use a laser printer.
Oh, excellent. I was aware of the clear and white paper issue, but wasn’t sure if laserjets required a different type decal paper. This is good news. Thanks guys!
Chris
Laser printers do not make better decals than modern inkjet printers, so do not go out and buy a laser printer just to do decals if you already have a good inkjet. Modern inkjet printers made for photo printing have a higher resolution and better color tones than most lasers these days.
Laser printers have gotten better over the years but they are on the expensive side. I’ve got decal paper for laser printers and haven’t tried it yet. I would use it at my work place since I have a laser printer there anyways. Of course, I bought them way back because I didn’t have an inkjet printer then yet.
yes, you can print decals with laser printer but you have to change the paper setting. I had problem before with the toner not sticking to the decal paper, I have to experiment on different paper setting for the toner to adhere to the decal paper. But you need to be carefull not to put the setting on very hot as it will melt the film and you will have repair your printer.
Hmm never a problem for me.
I have had troubles with heat from lasers. Before the papers available to home decal making got so good, I used to get my decals made at a copy center (only laser paper was available then), byi printing design or regular paper and letting copy shop copy it on laser decal paper. I got good results at some places, not at others, because their laser copier machines ran at higher temp.
At home the only problem I have had is that I ran one sheet through my printer wrong side up, and merely reinserted it without letting it cool. It came out all wrinkled and creased. If for any reason you need to feed a sheet through a laser printer twice, let it cool awhile between runs.
You know, if I had an inkjet printer and used it regularly, I wouldn’t have so many problems. I use a printer so rarely that the ink cartridge becomes unusable before I get even one or two print jobs out of it. Really, what I need is a printer that can lie dormant for months at a time, and then do the job I ask of it on demand. I know, I know, unicorns, Bigfoot, all that. LOL
I’m beginning to think I may try your route, Don. Of just showing up at a copy center somewhere with the requisite design and materials, and see if I can pull it off that way. Are there places in particular you’ve had good luck with? Or do you think it depends more on the staff?
–Chris
Then you need a laser printer then. I use my laser printer only for printing decals and store it again under the staircase. no more worrying of clogged nozzle.
A friend of ours repairs printers for a living. He told my wife and I the problem comes from turning inkjets off and on. He swears this dries the ink out and leaving the printer on will increase the longevity of inkjet ink cartridges.
Not my area of expertise, but it does seem like it has worked for us. I have a large canon phot printer and it seems like the inks do last longer. just my $0.02 worth.
I had better luck with a small independent copy shop. He was much more willing to use a particular machine he had, and to experiment with settings.
This is true for inkjets. I use my inkjet for photos and tried to avoid turning it off. When you turn on your printer, you will hear that the printer will try to clean the head, with this, it use up you ink to unclog the nozzle. This will shorthen you cartridge life.
Unfortunetely, my wife thinks I’m wasting electricity and she turn the bloody printer off.
Duh!
(slapping my forehead and shout duh loudly, lol!)