DecalPRO® for car side decals?

[peteski]

Can ALPS do metallic prints, like silver or gold?

Yes, and of course white ink and certain models also print gold and silver foils (like chrome and polished brass).

But as it was said, the printers are old, not made any more, and the inks supply will slowly end (Alps is not making inks anymore and no 3rd part vendor stepped in).  Alps MicroDry printer was an absolutely ideal decal printing solution for hobbyists (and some small manufacturers like the Blair Line, Highball Graphics and several others), but sadly there is end in sight.  Blair Line appears to have moved to a color laser printed and laser-trimmed decals - others might still be hanging onto their Alps printers.

[sirenwerks]

What about Oki's line of CMYW printers?  I received a sample from one when they started the line and it was impressive.  The $3400 price tag for a C711WT is a bit pricey for me but if someone wants to go into the decal business that cost is a tax write-off.

[peteski]

What about Oki's line of CMYW printers?  I received a sample from one when they started the line and it was impressive.  The $3400 price tag for a C711WT is a bit pricey for me but if someone wants to go into the decal business that cost is a tax write-off.

I haven't checked capabilities of that specific printed but as you point out, the price makes it out of reach for hobbyists. It might be viable for small businesses.  Can it for example just print white? Some laser printers only use white as undercoat for CYM colors.

One thing I did notice with CYM (no K or black) ink jet printers was that solid black color was really a very dark muddy-looking brown.  That is because black in those printers is made up of a mixture of CYM inks.  Not sure if the same will be true with lCYM laser printers but I suspect it is.

As a hobbyist I often use  the Alps' capability of printing metallic inks and the capability to overlay multiple layers of color inks.  The CYMW laser printer cannot do any of that.  Hopefully with some ink cartridges and a spare printer) squirreled away, I will be capable of printing my own decals for as long as I'm not the hobbies.