Printer for cardstock buildings, signs, and decals????

[ski]

I am not sure where it's best to post this question, so decided the scenery forum.... is there a printer that is recommended for an "all in one" hobby solution???? I would like to print off downloadable structure kits, print brick/stone sheets, print signage and even decals for rolling stock/locos/etc.????

I tried a search and didn't really have any luck...

Thanks!

[nkalanaga]

Any good printer that will print light cardstock, which means most printers today, will handle everything except the decals.

For decals, I don't know.  My old one works on inkjet-ready decal paper, so most probably will if you get the right paper.  Inkjet and laser printers need different decal papers.  The problem with printing decals on any printer is lack of white ink or toner.

[peteski]

Yes, printing decals which will need opaque colors or white graphics is a problem.  Also keep in mind that ink jet ink is water-soluble, so if the printed sheet gets wet, the inks can run. I mention that because we often use water while scenickign or weathering our layouts. Laser printer toner is not water-soluble, so laser-printed images would not be affected by moisture.

As I see it, there really isn't an affordable all-in-one printer solution.  If there was, many of us would be using it already. 
I mentioned affordable because there are ink jets using UV-cured inks (including white), and laser printers with white toner, but the cost of those printers and their supplies are out of a reach for an average modeler.  I suspect that none of the Railwire members own either one of those printers.

[ski]

I appreciate the input...our home printer is just an old black and white and is about to go off to greener pastures so thought I would ask. Thanks.

[peteski]

I appreciate the input...our home printer is just an old black and white and is about to go off to greener pastures so thought I would ask. Thanks.

Any currently available consumer-grade inkjet (color by default) or color laser printer will be more than adequate for all your tasks except for decals.  Ink jet printers and their consumables (ink cartridges) are less expensive than color laser printers and their consumables (toner cartridges and fusers).

Actually, ink jet printers can be used for printing decals but it is a bit of a hassle, and for color decals to show up properly applied to dark surfaces they have to be printer on white (not clear) decal paper and trimmed.

[nickelplate759]

Any currently available consumer-grade inkjet (color by default) or color laser printer will be more than adequate for all your tasks except for decals.  Ink jet printers and their consumables (ink cartridges) are less expensive than color laser printers and their consumables (toner cartridges and fusers).

Actually, ink jet printers can be used for printing decals but it is a bit of a hassle, and for color decals to show up properly applied to dark surfaces they have to be printer on white (not clear) decal paper and trimmed.

Laser printers also need to be printed on white for accurate color rendering (unless you have white toner and appropriate software), or have the decals applied on a white surface,  but I've found that colors work pretty well on silver or light grey surface and of course anything printed black is just fine without a white background.    I've done a lot of black decals on my laser printer.

This lettering was done with a laser printer: