Question about differences between Color Laser Pinters

[CaptainHawk1]

I've been needing a color laser printer for good decal printing for models for a long time. I bought a Samsung CLP-600N last year for $50 and a couple of months ago I got for free a Konica Minolta Magicolor 5430DL.

Both owners of these printers got rid of them not because of any problems but because they didn't want to pay over $100 to replace the black toner cartridges.

I don't have this issue but I don't need two of these so I need some guidance on which one to keep. The reviews online that I've read don't tell me a whole lot because i don't understand the technical jargon.

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Wow, I'm shocked.

I figured that someone here would know a thing or two.

 

[Jadzia]

I would suggest giving them both a trial run, and see which you prefer.

Make yourself a test page in a paint shop pro or something like that.

Have it contain

• an abstract picture with solid colours with a combination of straight lines and curves, some very fine curves should be included too;
• a photograph with vivid colours and interesting fine textures like a fruit bowl with oranges;
• a photograph of peoples faces;
• a photograph with a light airy feel featuring pale colours and shallow colour gradients.

Some laser printers will do the dithering better than others and they will show whatever weaknesses they have with these four images.

Choose whichever printer gives better results in comparison. Speed and noise and simplicity may also be important factors for you.

I personally like printers to be as simple as possible with the smallest and most efficient installation. Any printer that wants to install 1GB of files isn't coming anywhere near my PC.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Are either of these printers inkjets? As far as I know, and from the experience of doing decal making with Super-Cal, only an inkjet printer will work for this.

Of course, there may be other decal making systems out there now, as opposed to several years ago.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

I would suggest giving them both a trial run, and see which you prefer.

Make yourself a test page in a paint shop pro or something like that.

Have it contain

• an abstract picture with solid colours with a combination of straight lines and curves, some very fine curves should be included too;
• a photograph with vivid colours and interesting fine textures like a fruit bowl with oranges;
• a photograph of peoples faces;
• a photograph with a light airy feel featuring pale colours and shallow colour gradients.

Some laser printers will do the dithering better than others and they will show whatever weaknesses they have with these four images.

Choose whichever printer gives better results in comparison. Speed and noise and simplicity may also be important factors for you.

I personally like printers to be as simple as possible with the smallest and most efficient installation. Any printer that wants to install 1GB of files isn't coming anywhere near my PC.

The problem here is that I can't just do a trial run with them. The black toner cartridges are dead in both of them and they will not print without a black toner. I can't go out and buy two of them at over $100 each to figure out which one is the winner. The big issue is graphic quality.

Are either of these printers inkjets? As far as I know, and from the experience of doing decal making with Super-Cal, only an inkjet printer will work for this.

Of course, there may be other decal making systems out there now, as opposed to several years ago.

I've been making decals about 4years and laser is the preferred method (if you don't have an ALPS printer or Silk Screening capabilities, which I have neither of) and yes, Laser Printer Decal Paper is quite common and the results are better looking and for more reliable than inkjet.

Micromark

I've been using inkjet for years and I'm just sick of it.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ Can the laser ones be done with the "partial" white backing? As in, only having white under the lettering and not the entire decal, ala professional decals that come with model kits.
Super-Cal had clear or white, and the white would take up the entire decal.
I suppose what I'm talking about is the silk-screening you mentioned.
My Nebula decals would've looked much brighter if I could have done them white-backed instead of clear, as seen here.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

^ Can the laser ones be done with the "partial" white backing? As in, only having white under the lettering and not the entire decal, ala professional decals that come with model kits.
Super-Cal had clear or white, and the white would take up the entire decal.
I suppose what I'm talking about is the silk-screening you mentioned.
My Nebula decals would've looked much brighter if I could have done them white-backed instead of clear, as seen here.

No. For that you need an ALPS or Screen Printer.

 

[TerriO]

Moved from Sci-Tech per request of CaptainHawk1.