Anyone try this and have any success with it??? Hobbycal Decal Paper. Need to make up some white lettering for a tender and came across in a online RMC article.


Mark

Could you post a link to that article? I'd like to know how they overcame the difficulties of printing white lettering on decal paper.
I have been using Walthers decal paper, and a printer that is out of production, and the white ribbons are no longer available.

Sumpter250 Wrote:Could you post a link to that article? I'd like to know how they overcame the difficulties of printing white lettering on decal paper.
I have been using Walthers decal paper, and a printer that is out of production, and the white ribbons are no longer available.

I think what it is is that it has a white background rather than a clear one, so it's not like printing white on clear decal paper. If you Google, "Hobbycal Decal Paper", you'll get the idea. I have some white decal paper from Micro-Mark, and I think it's the same thing. You need to match the background with a color printer if you want it to look like white lettering on whatever it is you are putting it on. And yes, I still have most of what I bought about 10 years ago, since it wouldn't do what I wanted it to.

Sounds like it is not much different than just using white-backed decal paper. I've had mixed results using it. It works well when I am printing a sign to be placed on a building or a logo that has some white in it that goes on a piece of rolling stock. I have had much less success when I am trying to create white or light colored lettering to place on a painted piece of rolling stock. That requires me to match the background color of the decal to the paint color - and it's nearly impossible to get a perfect match. Also, the edges of the decals tend to bleed slightly, and I've had to paint over the edges of the decal to blend it in. I've had the most success printing white lettering if the background is black, and using a laser printer rather than an inkjet.

Here is the link that you requested. Seems the process goes this way. Match the border to the item you are putting the decal on. In my case black, because of the black tender. Print on the black background the lettering you want. Print decal. Trim as close to lettering as possible. Soak in water then apply. As decal dries the white lettering appears.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/decalwhitetext.html">http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/decalwhitetext.html</a><!-- m -->

I might give them a whirl for 20 bucks you get 5, 8.5 X 11 sheets

twilight Wrote:Here is the link that you requested. Seems the process goes this way. Match the border to the item you are putting the decal on. In my case black, because of the black tender. Print on the black background the lettering you want. Print decal. Trim as close to lettering as possible. Soak in water then apply. As decal dries the white lettering appears.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/decalwhitetext.html">http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/decalwhitetext.html</a><!-- m -->

I might give them a whirl for 20 bucks you get 5, 8.5 X 11 sheets

Yup, but even black on black is hard to match. Any other color and you're not likely to match it. Besides, inkjet printer ink does come out a bit transparent, especially lighter colors. With black and a laser printer, you do stand a better chance. Good luck, let us know how you make out.

I can concur with Don's statement about matching black. I tried making white letter decals for black hoppers and the decal black was much deeper and shiner than the hopper sides. I tried using weathering chalks to mask the difference but it was a no go.

Here is the RMC article link also, <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rrmodelcraftsman.com/extraboard/cm_extra_whitedecalpaper.php">http://www.rrmodelcraftsman.com/extrabo ... lpaper.php</a><!-- m -->


Mark

Ralph Wrote:I can concur with Don's statement about matching black. I tried making white letter decals for black hoppers and the decal black was much deeper and shiner than the hopper sides. I tried using weathering chalks to mask the difference but it was a no go.

Having never tried this process, my first though is, spray a clear flat ( like dullcote ) over the car side, any decal "shine", should almost vanish.
Even with the Alps printer and their white ribbons, there is still shine to the decal film.

The ' Shinnecock Hills Lumber Company ' decals on the 2-6-6-2T, and caboose, were done with the Alps printer.
[attachment=20236]

The lack of replacement Alps white ribbons, and the expense, make using "white background" decal paper, and an ink jet printer a viable option. Just one question: I print the background ( car/loco/whatever ) color first, then select "white" for the font color and print the letters.......does this second step "remove" the first color , where the letters are ?, so the white background can be seen.

That's a good thought Pete. I shouldn't be too critical of the white paper..I have used it successfully on my freelanced scheme. It does take a bit of effort to color match suing your computer's options but it can be done.