It seems that an Inkjet printer is the preferred type of printer to create artwork for enclosures. Either on water-slide decal paper or sticky vinyl paper. Then cover with Envirotex or clear coat.
But why not use a colour laser printer on white sticky back paper such as this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheets-Quality-Adhesive-Sticky-Printing/dp/B00W2E5N36 and then cover?
Is perhaps the colour not so vivid? Other reasons?
I think it's more that colour inkjet are cheaper to buy and most people already have an inkjet printer.
Colin, I'm thinking about getting a colour laser printer because of the high cost of replacement ink cartridges.
I just bought a Canon ip7250 for £50. The Canon ink cartridges are about £40. When the ink runs out, I could sell the printer for £10 then buy a new one for £50 giving me a brand new printer and replacement cartridges each time!
I use a laser printer. The cartridges are more expensive, but so far have lasted 3x longer, I'm still using the ones that it came with.
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I have the same printer Phil and have been using these for over a year with no problems. You get 4 replacements for each colour in this pack for £12.99.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00K2XU6FE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Quote from: Adam_MD on March 28, 2018, 05:52:07 AM
I have the same printer Phil and have been using these for over a year with no problems. You get 4 replacements for each colour in this pack for £12.99.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00K2XU6FE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Wow, that's a bargain. Do you think the colour is in any way inferior to Canon ink?
Quote from: jimilee on March 28, 2018, 05:49:28 AM
I use a laser printer. The cartridges are more expensive, but so far have lasted 3x longer, I'm still using the ones that it came with.
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What type of paper do you use, Jimi? I'm thinking of sticky back stuff for enclosures.
I use water slide decals. I like the white as opposed to the clear, the colors are more vibrant. I get it off of eBay, as it's nearly impossible to find around here. Sticky back is ok, but you only get one shot at putting it on.
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I've used laserjet toner on "fancy" (bonded) paper and then put on a coat of Mod Podge to seal. You can then spray acrylic clear over that if you want to go a step further. Here's an example:
(https://i.imgur.com/5NtKp8T.jpg?1)
Quote from: jimilee on March 28, 2018, 06:32:03 AM
I use water slide decals. I like the white as opposed to the clear, the colors are more vibrant. I get it off of eBay, as it's nearly impossible to find around here. Sticky back is ok, but you only get one shot at putting it on.
And I guess you don't need to coat it before putting it in the water?
Quote from: Philtre on March 28, 2018, 06:36:01 AM
Quote from: jimilee on March 28, 2018, 06:32:03 AM
I use water slide decals. I like the white as opposed to the clear, the colors are more vibrant. I get it off of eBay, as it's nearly impossible to find around here. Sticky back is ok, but you only get one shot at putting it on.
And I guess you don't need to coat it before putting it in the water?
Nope, no need to, that was one of the attractions for me.
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Quote from: jimilee on March 28, 2018, 06:36:56 AM
Quote from: Philtre on March 28, 2018, 06:36:01 AM
Quote from: jimilee on March 28, 2018, 06:32:03 AM
I use water slide decals. I like the white as opposed to the clear, the colors are more vibrant. I get it off of eBay, as it's nearly impossible to find around here. Sticky back is ok, but you only get one shot at putting it on.
And I guess you don't need to coat it before putting it in the water?
Nope, no need to, that was one of the attractions for me.
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How adhesive is a water slide decal? If it's covered with Envirotex the whole lot has to be stuck to the enclosure by whatever's on the back of the decal paper.
Quote from: Philtre on March 28, 2018, 06:44:06 AM
Quote from: jimilee on March 28, 2018, 06:36:56 AM
Quote from: Philtre on March 28, 2018, 06:36:01 AM
Quote from: jimilee on March 28, 2018, 06:32:03 AM
I use water slide decals. I like the white as opposed to the clear, the colors are more vibrant. I get it off of eBay, as it's nearly impossible to find around here. Sticky back is ok, but you only get one shot at putting it on.
And I guess you don't need to coat it before putting it in the water?
Nope, no need to, that was one of the attractions for me.
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How adhesive is a water slide decal? If it's covered with Envirotex the whole lot has to be stuck to the enclosure by whatever's on the back of the decal paper.
It sticks pretty good once it's dried after about 8 hours. I think that's the key, I rushed one once and the decal floated up on the edges. I've done a couple hundred pedals this way, it's just trial and error.
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Quote from: Philtre on March 28, 2018, 06:02:50 AM
Quote from: Adam_MD on March 28, 2018, 05:52:07 AM
I have the same printer Phil and have been using these for over a year with no problems. You get 4 replacements for each colour in this pack for £12.99.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00K2XU6FE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Wow, that's a bargain. Do you think the colour is in any way inferior to Canon ink?
No it's been absolutely fine. The decals on most of the pedals you've seen me post have been printed with it.
I wonder if it would be possible to print on shiny or satin paper with a colour laser printer and then just glue it to the top of the enclosure? Does the laser ink need to be protected with a clear coat or some kind of lacquer? (I'm looking for simpler alternatives to Envirotex or spraying clear coat on decals).
Quote from: Philtre on March 28, 2018, 11:05:05 AM
I wonder if it would be possible to print on shiny or satin paper with a colour laser printer and then just glue it to the top of the enclosure? Does the laser ink need to be protected with a clear coat or some kind of lacquer? (I'm looking for simpler alternatives to Envirotex or spraying clear coat on decals).
No, the laser ink is great, you can glue it, although I think it would tend to wrinkle. Another alternative will be to use clear rattle can paint over the decal to protect it and seal it in, I use rustoleum. You're starting to overthink things just a bit. In the spirit of DIY give it a shot and see how you like it, then show it off, you may start something new.
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If you print to Datapol you won't necessarily need to clear coat, although I still do. It's basically bumper sticker stuff, but you have to get it lined up right or it will stretch when you try and get it off to fix it. It won't work with an inkjet as it's waterproof, so it's laser only.
https://everylabels.com.au/datapol-synthetic-white-labels
Those looks good, Willybomb.
Datapol seems to be an Aussie thing, can't find that in the UK.
What clear coat do you use?
I use Spraymax 1k if I can find it. I've tried a few other things, but that seems to be the best. Keep away from Rustoleum - it's horrible.
There would have to be something similar in the UK. Go into your local printshop and ask for their waterproof sticker paper.
I think the resolution of laser isn't as good unless you get a high end one. I got mine of ebay in 2015 for £10 with free black toner secondhand and still using the toners that came with it!
For quite a long time I used a colour laser printer. I got the printer cheap as I think it was end of line, it was a Samsung (although I can't remember the model number). I used to powder coat an enclosure, put put the decal on, then when it had fully dried I then did a powder coat clear coat on top of it. Where the decal was put over the holes it disappeared with the heat from the oven, and the results were really good. never did use a spray can of clear lacquer over the top of them but from what I've seen on the internet they give good results as well.
The nice thing about water slide is you can move it around when placing it.
The bad part is they need to be clear coated for protection.
Black water slide from my inkjet. I'd use a laser printer if I had one. No reason not to.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/7rbmxKuCER69G14a2