Full Version: Making Proprietary Decals - Which ALPS Printer?
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
I need white decals and I'm led to believe that "the APLS printer" is the only computer printer that prints in white. I've started looking for an ALPS printer and the appropriate Ink Cartridges and associated printer supplies cables, drivers, etc. Smile
... Then I realized I have no clue what I am looking for ... Icon_idea Confusedhock: :?

... Which model ALPS printer should I be looking for? :?:

... What might an appropriate price be (and how much would be ridiculous and a rip-off?) :?:

... What is the concensus on how long can we expect the white ink cartridges to be available?

... What computer operating systems are supported by an APLS printer?

Yeah, I'm just a bundle of questions! Big Grin Thumbsup 8-)

And the biggest question I have is ... What questions should I be asking ... and looking for answers to? :? Icon_lol :?:
P5se Camelback Wrote:I need white decals and I'm led to believe that "the APLS printer" is the only computer printer that prints in white. I've started looking for an ALPS printer and the appropriate Ink Cartridges and associated printer supplies cables, drivers, etc. Smile
... Then I realized I have no clue what I am looking for ... Icon_idea Confusedhock: :?

... Which model ALPS printer should I be looking for? :?:

... What might an appropriate price be (and how much would be ridiculous and a rip-off?) :?:

... What is the concensus on how long can we expect the white ink cartridges to be available?

... What computer operating systems are supported by an APLS printer?

Yeah, I'm just a bundle of questions! Big Grin Thumbsup 8-)

And the biggest question I have is ... What questions should I be asking ... and looking for answers to? :? Icon_lol :?:

Alps, has been out of business for several years now, so finding one of their printers will not be easy.
The price? good question, you might check Ebay.
The ink cartridges (ribbons) are no longer manufactured. there are, currently some available online ( Google Alps Print cartridges ) but when those are gone...........
Operating system...Good question,( Windows 98, XP, maybe ME ) but I would suspect that anything in the last few years, would no longer have any of the drivers needed to run the printers.
I think you are better off going another route. If you need a lot of decals, consider a custom decal manufacturer. If you need just a few, consider alternatives. Why? Alps printers are no longer made. Neither are the ink ribbons. You will likely pay several hundred bucks to get set up with a used printer that is no longer supported. You can likely buy a hundred sheets from a custom decal manufacturer for the cost of the printer set up. And if you go with the ALPS printer, there is no telling how long until it breaks or the NOS white ink is no longer available.
Pete and Kevin ...

Thanks guys, for what I'm sure is solid advice. Thumbsup Big Grin

I have "hard" camera-ready (do they still use that term?) artwork, that I set by hand, using Letraset Windsor Bold transfer type on Letraset 2000 hot press illustration board back in 1981 or '82. I did use the copy camera to make some reductions (down to 200% of the image required) for use by the likes of a Donald Manlick or a Rail Graphics. I even sent for and received samples from both vendors. Then ... corporate shake-up, product line moved from CA to FL - no personnel went with it Confusedhock: , packed everything to move for new job ... then another move and then another ... just now unpacking everything and really getting back into the hobby with some seriousness now.

I hesitate to send any original artwork anywhere outside these four walls! Maybe I can find a copy camera, or some place here locally that can scan my originals and produce some "200-up" art that I can send to a custom decal vendor.

Thanks for you advice! I knew the APLS printers were no longer in production but I was under the impression from reading posts on the Yahoo APLS Decal Group site that cartridges of white ink (not ribbons - ribbons were probably for the dot-matrix printers) were no problem to acquire. :?: :?

But I will look more seriously into commercial production of custom decals! Thumbsup Thanks again, guys! Much appreciation! Cheers

The avatar used here is a much reduced iteration of my hand-set LS&W Herald.
P5se Camelback Wrote:Thanks for you advice! I knew the APLS printers were no longer in production but I was under the impression from reading posts on the Yahoo APLS Decal Group site that cartridges of white ink (not ribbons - ribbons were probably for the dot-matrix printers) were no problem to acquire. :?: :?

I think these were thermal printers and not "ink jet", and in fact used ribbons. I certainly may be wrong, though. If there is a demand, I am sure someone else will come out with a printer or ink that prints white, but my guess is with such a limited market it will be expensive. I certainly understand wanting to have more personal control over the process, though. A few years ago I looked a little bit into finding an ALPS, but quickly decided it wasn't worth my limited funds. There is no harm in doing your own investigation, though. I figured for me the only way it would be worth it is if I could find one cheap (such as at yard sale). It just seemed to high of a price to pay for a printer with a big unknown of future ink availability.
nachoman Wrote:
P5se Camelback Wrote:Thanks for you advice! I knew the APLS printers were no longer in production but I was under the impression from reading posts on the Yahoo APLS Decal Group site that cartridges of white ink (not ribbons - ribbons were probably for the dot-matrix printers) were no problem to acquire. :?: :?

I think these were thermal printers and not "ink jet", and in fact used ribbons. I certainly may be wrong, though. If there is a demand, I am sure someone else will come out with a printer or ink that prints white, but my guess is with such a limited market it will be expensive. I certainly understand wanting to have more personal control over the process, though. A few years ago I looked a little bit into finding an ALPS, but quickly decided it wasn't worth my limited funds. There is no harm in doing your own investigation, though. I figured for me the only way it would be worth it is if I could find one cheap (such as at yard sale). It just seemed to high of a price to pay for a printer with a big unknown of future ink availability.
Kevin, that's what the main problem with the alps printer was. It didn't have a market for white ink thus why they discontinued them, they're wasn't any money in them and probably will not be in the future for white ink based prints. The current market is for modeling (trains planes and military decals) but still not enough to make a profit
tomustang Wrote:Kevin, that's what the main problem with the alps printer was. It didn't have a market for white ink thus why they discontinued them, they're wasn't any money in them and probably will not be in the future for white ink based prints. The current market is for modeling (trains planes and military decals) but still not enough to make a profit

I would think there could be a market for the graphic design people, but any large firm would probably go with silk screen printing methods. I don't think the average person would pay extra for a printer just to have white ink. And with such a small market (home model builders and crafts people), the cost per unit would be high enough to be prohibitive. Now, if someone invented an opaque white ink cartridge that would work in standard 150 buck inkjet printers, I would think there could be a market for such an item, provided it is cheap enough.