Decals : Need Your Help

I'm no newbie, but I also have not even hardly any of the experience of the people on this site. I am getting more and more involved with die-cast as well as plastic model building.

Getting back into the hobby, I purchased an Air Compressor, Airbrrush, as well as a full glass 6' Tall display case.

My dilemma now is the Decals. So i'll just rattle off the questions?

Is it worth it to buy an ALPS 5000?
Do you make your own decals?
Do you use a regular printer?
Where do you buy the decal paper?
what adhesive do you apply to the decal (clear?)
if you dont make your own, where exactly do you buy them?

I'm still making up my mind, whether to buy an ALPS, since some people swear by them, but thats a big sunk cost investment.


YOUR OPINIONS PLEASE POST :smile:

Is it worth it to buy an ALPS 5000?
Do you make your own decals?
Do you use a regular printer?
Where do you buy the decal paper?
what adhesive do you apply to the decal (clear?)
if you dont make your own, where exactly do you buy them?


- Not sure. ALPS owners can answer it better.
- Yes.
- I use an HP Color Laserjet 5500.
- Ebay.
- Nothing.
- Only decals I've bought are SMS, Studio27 and Laubak decals.

Is it worth it to buy an ALPS 5000?
Only if you intend to make loads and loads of models or you have plenty of spare Cash
Do you make your own decals?
Yes, I have a MD4000
Do you use a regular printer?
See Above
Where do you buy the decal paper?
I use Wave Decal Paper from Japan and Purchase from Rainbow 10
what adhesive do you apply to the decal (clear?)
None is needed with the paper I use
if you dont make your own, where exactly do you buy them?
Loads of Aftermarket online stores , depends on your subject matter F1, Nascar, Rally, Street, Tuner the list goes on etc.

Mant thanks for the replies, glad you didnt brush this off as just another newb thread.

I'm considering an ALPS printer, but I am researching the MD4000 as well.

Initial cost wil be a factor in my decision, but if its worth it i'l definetly spend some money.