What Is an ALPS Printer?
An ALPS printer is a discontinued thermal transfer printer that became famous in the hobby world for one big reason: it can print opaque white and metallic colors for decals. Unlike inkjet and standard laser printers, ALPS printers use a thermal transfer ribbon system that lays solid pigment onto the surface of decal film.
For model railroaders, armor builders, aircraft modelers, and custom automotive builders, ALPS decal printing became a go-to method for small-run decals where white text, white underlays, metallic logos, and sharp lettering were required.
ALPS decal printing alternative
Why ALPS Decal Printing Is Still Popular
- White printing on clear decal film for lettering, logos, and markings
- Metallic printing (commonly silver and gold) for specialty graphics
- Spot color control for clean, crisp text and simple artwork
- Strong results for small details and short runs
The Downsides of ALPS Printers Today
Even though ALPS printing can produce great decals, ALPS printers have real limitations in todays hobby world:
- Discontinued and unsupported hardware (no manufacturer support)
- Hard to find working units in reliable condition
- Parts and ribbons are difficult to source, often expensive, and inconsistent in availability
- Ribbon waste can be significant due to how the printer advances ribbon material
- ALPS print lines (banding/striping) can appear because printing is done in horizontal passes across the page
- Old drivers and workflows that may require legacy computers, adapters, or special setups
One common issue you may hear about is “ALPS print lines” — faint horizontal stripes that can show up in larger solid areas or certain artwork. This happens because the printer prints in narrow bands across the page.
So… Is an ALPS Printer Worth It?
If you already own a working ALPS printer with a reliable supply of ribbons, it can still be useful for niche decal work. But for most hobbyists and businesses today, the reality is that ALPS printers are harder to maintain, harder to source supplies for, and more time-consuming than modern production options.
A Modern Alternative to ALPS Decal Printing
If you’re searching for ALPS decal printing because you need white and metallic decals, there’s a better path: professional custom decal printing using modern commercial printing systems.
Fusion Scale Graphics (FSG) offers custom decal printing designed to deliver the same reasons people chased ALPS in the first place — white, metallics, and crisp detail — without the downsides of discontinued hardware, hard-to-find ribbons, and print-line artifacts.
- Opaque white printing for clear film decals
- Metallic gold or silver options (when specified)
- Consistent coverage across full sheets
- Repeatable results for multi-sheet and production runs
ALPS decal printing alternative
Business & Volume Discounts
FSG offers discounts for businesses, designers, and organizations ordering decals by the sheet or in multi-sheet quantities. If you need consistent repeat orders, outsourcing is often more reliable (and more cost-effective) than trying to keep an ALPS printer running.
ALPS decal printing alternative
We Also Sell Waterslide Decal Paper
Need materials for printing in-house? We also sell waterslide decal paper. It works for a range of workflows, including ALPS printing and other printer types depending on your process and media requirements.
If you’re ready to move beyond ALPS limitations, explore our custom printing options and get professional decals printed the right way.