Does anybody have experience with using color laser printers for decals? One day, my old ALPS is going to retire and it is time to look for alternatives.
My laser printer is a black only, but I have used it to print black decals. They do not come out as nice as my inkjet- lower resolution. But, they are easier to clearcoat. Yes, they still do need clear coat but the toner is not as likely to dissolve in the clear coat as some inks are. It used to be that laser decal paper was cheaper than inkjet decal paper, but that no longer seems to be the case.
I see the price of color laser printers coming down, and am considering one just to print decals. I would like to see higher res and better color shading though.
Don’t know if it’s of any interest, but OKI have a couple of lasers in their range with white toner, the C711WT & C920WT.
A white capability sure would be a plus, but as Don said, opacity is an issue. I’m thinking of taking some decal paper to the computer store and having some images printed on their demo printers, maybe that would shed some light.
If it uses a good toner material, and not a dye, opacity could be okay. I’m going to look into them.
BTW, needed to make a simple black on clear decal last night (for my trademark brass nameplates). Sure was easy using the laser printer and laser decal paper- one heavy coat of Testors Glosscoat, and when that coat was dry the decal was ready to use. I always print several copies on same paper- glad I did, I ruined the first one, but the second went on fine (I had printed three).
Ashley brings up an interesting point.
Will any of the places like Kinkos allow you to use decal paper in their printers?
Also, what about copyright problems. I know many photo places are very picky about printing photographs.
I have gotten copies made in the past at copy shops using their laser printers. Fine results. How ever, most of the shops in my area have replaced their older laser printers with new machines that fuse toner at a higher temp. Decal paper does not seem to hold up to these temps, and the paper will buckle and wrinkle. My home laser printer fuses at a lower temp and does not harm decal paper.