Decal printing: is a Laser better?

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Decal printing: is a Laser better?

Postby Reegs » Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:20 am

I once printed decals using my inkjet. Came out good, but they were practically transparent - even with the "doubling up" approach.
Question: are decals printed using a laser printer more (or completely) opaque? I have access to a nice laser printer at work and I get in pretty early ....
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Re: Decal printing: is a Laser better?

Postby Dangermouse » Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:47 am

I believe you don't need to seal the laser printer decals like you do inkjet, the fused toner should give a better result. Now that I have access to a colour laser printer I intend to buy some paper and try it out.

You should be able to find some on eBay - I noticed Micromark list laser decal paper on their website

cheers
DM
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Re: Decal printing: is a Laser better?

Postby Vintage 1/24 » Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:44 pm

I use Papillo laser decal paper. They offer a clear and a white. Very happy with the results - of course having a good quality color laser printer makes for nicer decals.
After application I let them dry a day or so, then clear coat them with Krylon.
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Re: Decal printing: is a Laser better?

Postby Derby City Speedway » Fri Jul 19, 2013 11:57 am

What I`ve found to be my favorite. I`ve tried a few others and have had troubles with seperation between the paper and film.

http://www.tangopapadecals.com/paper.htm
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Re: Decal printing: is a Laser better?

Postby Ember » Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:32 pm

Decals from a laser printer will be translucent rather than opaque, whereas the best quality inkjet inks are transparent. There are no opacifiers used in toner production as the addition of such would decrease the colour range (gamut) that the laser is able to print. The decals printed by a laser are slightly better on non-white, light coloured cars than inkjet ones.

Ink jet will give you a bigger and brighter colour range, but most will not really notice any difference.
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