Decal issues?

[jbaakko]

So, I've been toying with the Testors decals, and I'm getting some major issues. I thought it was that I didn't let the ink dry. I printed a new sheet today, and it had over 3 hours to dry before I tried the Testors decal set. Now the ink is bleeding out. I dunno whats going wrong, it seems like the ink isn't setting at all, and just resting on top of the film.

I'm using a Lexmark Z705 printer, and starting to get leery of the printer, think it might be the problem?

I guess I'll have to try the new printer I'm picking up Thursday (all in one deal-o...).

[hminky]

I bought a cheap Lexmark All-in-one X3350 at Walmart for printing color decals. It is for "photo printing" and the ink seems to be more waterproof than normal ink jet ink. If you print on clear decal paper the decals will be translucent and lack the white part of the image. It prints well on the Testors paper.

Harold

[JeffShultz]

Did you "fix" the ink to the paper with hairspray or decal fixer?

[jbaakko]

Jeff:

Originally Posted by jbaakko

I printed a new sheet today, and it had over 3 hours to dry before I tried the Testors decal set.

It seems the decal set is part of the problem, or maybe the ink isn't setting. I'm going to pick up an all in one jobber tonight.

[sushob]

Originally Posted by jbaakko

Jeff:
It seems the decal set is part of the problem, or maybe the ink isn't setting. I'm going to pick up an all in one jobber tonight.

I didn't have any problems with the Testors kit and my older Dell (Lexmark) inkjet. I have a color laser though now...

[jbaakko]

Can't be an age issue for the ink either, its about 2 months old only! I figure if the new printed does the same, I'll call Testor's and ask what I'm doing wrong.

[roundhouse]

Originally Posted by jbaakko

I thought it was that I didn't let the ink dry. I printed a new sheet today, and it had over 3 hours to dry before I tried the Testors decal set. Now the ink is bleeding out. I dunno whats going wrong, it seems like the ink isn't setting at all, and just resting on top of the film.

Are you aware that you need to spray your decal sheet with Testors Decal Bonder after printing it on your PC, prior to actually using the decals (and applying Testors Decal Set)?

[sushob]

Originally Posted by roundhouse

Are you aware that you need to spray your decal sheet with Testors Decal Bonder after printing it on your PC, prior to actually using the decals (and applying Testors Decal Set)?

I believe he was referring to the 'bonder' spray can when he said 'decal set,' not something like Solvaset. It sounds like the 'bonder' is actually what is causing the decals to run.

I don't know how well it could work, but you could try shooting it with dull coat instead of the dedicated bonder. I didn't have any trouble with the bonder in my kit, but maybe you got a bad batch...

[jbaakko]

Testors says not to use the dull coat, the bonder/"set" stuff soaks into the film to make the ink hold, but it doesn't seem to do it, just cause it to bleed.

[roundhouse]

Originally Posted by jbaakko

Testors says not to use the dull coat, the bonder/"set" stuff soaks into the film to make the ink hold, but it doesn't seem to do it, just cause it to bleed.

It would really be a big mistake if Testors developed this kit just to find out that certain inks don't bond! I was going to order one of these kits, but now, I don't know...