Help! Anyone have a copier that prints White?

[soslipstream]

Hey All,

I would like to print some decals that have white ink imprinted. This, so that they can be placed on a dark backround. Here's an example. The white "United" above the cabin is something I would like to duplicate.

Regards, Tom Sanders

[MichaelB]

That's an old problem. You can get white decal paper and print the outline onto that. The old ALPS printers are the only device that actually prints IN white, and they are off the market.

[Francois]

I use another method. (sorry for my english !!!
I cut the decal and put it on water. Then I take the color slide and return it on the other side to the base paper. When the color slide is dry, I paint in white the part with caution. Then I put it again on water and finnaly on the model.
Try before with an exemple to see the result and find the good quantity of paint (usually 2 thickness)
I hope you could undersand my message
Francois

[soslipstream]

Francois,
Very understandable message. I will give your idea a try and report on the results.
Thanks Again,
Tom sanders

[fliegerii]

You can also paint or decal the area of the "UNITED" lettering on the fuselage in white and then put the blue decal with the "empty" UNITED on top of it. It will appear white then. Of course you have to work accurate.

But whatever you do, your success will depend on the print quality and density of the blue colour. In case a standard printer is used, even the silver base colour will shine through.. not talking about a white painted or decaled area....

This is the reason why I only chose liveries with white base for restauration with self made decals. Only on white ground self made decals (from standard printers) really look professionally.

[soslipstream]

Thanks for the suggestion. Your idea was my first consideration but matching the printed blue with the blue paint was to be an issue. The other is when cutting a colored decal without clear edges, The color "bleeds" unless sealed first with clear paint.

Regards, Tom

[Francois]

Yes, you can paint the lettering before and then add the decal but it's not easy on large models because the size of the decal can be enlarged when you put it. At the end, the drawing is not in front of the white part.
Other solution if your decal have poor density of color : put 2 same decals and paint the UNITED on the first decal (paint before or after to put it on the model, as you want).
To have density, some collectors re-print the same decal but it's no easy to print exactly on the same part. It's possible with large drawing. I've never used the method.
Fliegerii, what model of printer you used ?
rgds
francois

[fliegerii]

I use(d) mostly decals supplied by F-DCAL. I'm sure you know them, as they are also located in France.
Here in Europe we are lucky, since our Airlines have the "Euro-White" on top of fuselage as standard colour. This is ideal base for decaling...

Regards,
Chris

[Dakota]

Another way is to print for example the blue UNITED lining on white decalpaper (Microscale)