image 10 image 7 As info, the Oddballs set also had QA&P lettering as well. The color chart post above is for the OKI/Alps printer. We need to bear in mind that the Yellows out of an Alps or OKI printer are a bit different than screen printing. As the yellows will usually have a very slight dithering, it is just part of the process and cannot be avoided altogether. Having said,that, most professional decal makers have software that can be used to minimize the effect, and will look good. But if you want dynamic, Opaque Yellows we need to consider a screen print. I am glad to see this effort taking place, I have a few B/Y decal sets but if this turns out I will be in for 4 B/Y sets too. Thanks to all for the efforts. Added a couple photos so you can see what I am referring to. I do think the right print process will be successful. The ALPs decals doesn't look that bad when you hold it in your hand and look at it, the phot is like looking at it thru a magnifying glass. image 10 is and ALP/OKI printed decal you can see what I am talking about with the dithering, also the yellow isnt deep enough for me. Image 7 is screen printed and the original packaging is long gone. But it shows the deep Opaque Yellow used and it was a better decal IMHO. Also, a couple images showing the Oddballs on the Geep and the screen prints on the SD so you can see the differences.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" Yes: Increase the hours of a day to 36. Stop new vehicles from having to go the shop. Fix it so I don't have to fit in dental surgery (surgeries: doing it again in two weeks). Cut me back to 5 day work weeks. These for starters. Other than the above, I've got it covered.
Frist, a huge Thanks to all of you that are working on this project! I know how busy we all are, but is there anyone who can post a picture of the 2 sheet oddball set we are looking to reproduce (with possible minor changes). I have looked for pictures and haven't found any. That will really help me and others see what is included so we can better judge how many sets to pre-order. Very excited about getting some of my undecorated engines reworked and added to the layout!!!!
I'm late to this, been offsite. Keith just put sound in a 20 year old RI RS1. I love it and want to Frisco it. Put me down for two sets HO. John
Thank you for the images!! That will really help the RS and GP units, but I am still at a loss for the F units Are there any current decals avail in HO that work good for the F unit nose art and stripes in black and yellow or is that done by hand. Thanks
Here are some Microscale cab unit decals but I'm sure they are copyrighted. One is HO and two are O scale....
In addition to my undecorated RS1, it just dawned on me that I also have an undecorated 44 tonner that needs decals as well. Depending on what the final product includes, I may (probably will) need more than one set. I hope AT&N sub-letters are included but it won't be a deal breaker for me if that part doesn't work out.
Okay, an update of sorts. First off, my apologies, but the timing on this project has been terrible. I am in the process of some ongoing major dental work that isn't going too well. Thus I find that I have longer periods of inactivity in regards to correspondence and such. And, when I do, typically it's just browse email, surf the net, and doze (thanks meds). Also, I still like another 4 weeks of 6 day work weeks, which further diminishes my available time/energy. However, at this point, I have been unable to work since last Thursday and it may be Tuesday before I can try to work. Anyway, over the past couple weeks, I have been in contact with Bill Brillinger and as briefly as possible, here's the high points: * IF we go with ALPS printing, layering (as opposed to dithering) will yield the best quality at the expense of decal thickness. * IF we go with ALPS printing, be advised that there is a short supply of the inks used to produce yellow (and no new inks are being produced) so we will eventually face outages again. It's my understanding that when the ALPS ink well runs dry (all colors), that's it for decal producers using the ALPS method. * Mr. Brillinger offered the following advice: "It does seem like you might have enough demand though to get a screen printer to make your decals for you. I would suggest you talk to Alan Ferguson at Black Cat decals. http://www.blackcatdecals.com/ if you are interested in screen printers." My response to this input from Bill was thus: "Your advice concerning screen printing is appreciated and may need to be considered in view of long term availability. When this project was first kicked off, I think it was the hope of most (for sure me) that we would have a renewable resource for Frisco decals. We have all had to contend with the demise of Oddballs and it has been very frustrating. To face ink shortages/outages that also cause loss of product availability would be discouraging." So, there you have it as of the latest minute. This brings us to input time: * Do we want to proceed with an ALPS based decal set? * Do we want to investigate screen printing and thus have more longevity in regards to re-order/etc? (Albeit it may be a bit more expensive.) We will need to decide a printing direction before we return to the nuts and bolts of what/how the decal sets will be arranged and such. Sincerely, Andre
Myself I say screen print, for the longevity and IMHO a better color of Yellow. In the long run even if a bit more $$ it will be worth it.
The words "decal thickness" alone were enough to turn me against the ALPS printer decal idea. Also, I agree that longevity is important. I'm sorry to hear you're having dental problems. I hope you get well soon.
So far, it sounds as if you all want to pursue screen printing. Today's another "dental day", when I get home and if I can still function ( ) I'll see if I can establish first contact with the screen printer guy. All along my hope has been to hook up with an established decal producer, have a master set of Frisco B&Y stripe decal sets produced, and then be able to re-order over the coming years. Hopefully we can accomplish that. Andre
Thanks for all the effort Andre, I am good with the color and quality we are all looking for even if the price is more. Count me in for 5 sets of the finished item.
All: Got back late from the dentist deal, and have been called for the night switcher. Sorry, didn't get in contact with the screen printer guy. Off to work.
I am very interested in this project but model S scale. Is there any way to reproduce the efforts? My current needs are 6 SWs and 6 GPs. Tom P. Gainesville VA
