Water slide decals are water-mounted decals generally printed face up and rely on the dextrose corn sugar residue from the decal paper to bond the decal transfer to a surface. A water-based adhesive layer can be added to the decal to create a stronger bond or may be placed between layers of lacquer to create a durable decal transfer. The paper also has a layer of glucose film added prior to the dextrose layer which gives it the adhesion properties, the dextrose layer gives the decal the ability to slide off the paper and onto the substrate.
Water slide decals are thinner than many other decorative techniques (such as vinyl stickers) and as they are printed, they can be produced to a very high level of detail. As such, they are popular in craft areas such as scale modeling, as well as for labeling DIY electronics devices, such as guitar pedals.
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Waterslide Decal Papers.
The waterslide decal paper is a must-have too. The waterslide decal paper is a special transfer paper that you can easily use to transfer an image or text and it is an amazing thing to work with. The best thing about this paper is that it is translucent and can be used on almost any smooth surface.
You can use this paper to transfer your images to wood, bamboo objects, glass or porcelain coffee cups, metal tins, book covers, furniture, jars, and even polymer clay and candles.
Waterslide decal papers are special, transparent transfer papers that can be conveniently used to transfer an image or text on any smooth surface. They can produce highly detailed prints. It is common in craft areas whether for the business of doing it yourself projects.
Best Printer For Waterslide Decals.
To print a waterslide decal, First, you will need a printer and some of the best waterslide decal printers are Epson Workforce WF-7710 | Best Printer For Making Decals which can be so perfect for home use and can be used by up to 5 users. It can be so good one because it has printings speeds of 10 PPM for color and 18 ppm for black. The resolution of 4800 x 2400 DPI can provide you high-quality and amazingly detailed prints. It also supports wireless and mobile printing via Epson iPrint Mobile App, Epson Email Print, Epson Remote Print, Fire OS, AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, NFC, Ethernet, etc. The device is also effortless to control and navigate using its 4.3 inches color touchscreen.
Our second choice for you could be HP Officejet 5255 | Best Printer For Decals and this gadget can fax as well along with other functions and also includes ADF and auto-duplexing for convenience and time-saving. With speeds of 10 ppm (black) and 7 ppm (color), you can easily glide through tasks smoothly.
The HP Smart App enables you to effortlessly set up, and print directly from your social media or cloud, or even scan directly with a phone camera. With Bluetooth Smart, wireless printing, and dual-band Wi-Fi, you can easily get printing with reliable connectivity straight out of the box.
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 is also a good one. It supports Ethernet connectivity and also supports wireless and mobile printing via AirPrint, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi, and HP Smart App.
The sure that your targeted device can support printing the waterslide decal papers. You should look also for a model that can support various paper sizes to reduce paper wastage during small prints.
We can go for both inkjet or laser printers but color laser printers could be too expensive. You have to be able to get the finest product by paying the least as possible.
Waterslide Decal Images.
You also need to find a design or make your own one. You can find free waterslide decal images on this site.
Your personal photos will also work, purchased files, self-designed images, literally anything you chose you can print onto water slide decal paper. You should save your images on your computer, copy them into a Word document or in Photoshop. The best waterslide decal software for printing may be Adobe Photoshop Elements.
Once you have the image you want to use you will want to upload it into the program that you chose to work with. Once you have it uploaded you will want to resize the image to fit the project that you will be applying the image to.
Printer Settings For Waterslide Decals.
Before printing make sure that you check your printer settings for waterslide decals. The size of the water slide decal paper is “A4”. You can also switch your printer setting to print on high quality “glossy photo paper.” You need to print your images on the shiny side of the decals and let them dry for a few minutes.
Once your printer settings are set, your image is uploaded, edited, and resized to fit the project to your liking, all you have to do is simply print to your home-based printer.
You should wait about five minutes after printing your waterslide decal paper to allow it to dry before moving on to the next step.
How To Seal Water Slide Decals?
When you are done with printing then you need to wait about five minutes for it to be completely dry. To do that you will need a well-ventilated area where you should spray the entire surface of the waterslide paper.
They repeat the process two more times so that in the end, it has a total of three coats. You should wait for about ten minutes in between each coat.
Seal your image with a clear spray paint that has an acrylic base. We could try Rust-Oleum 2X clear, as well as Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear enamel, which is a good option.
It is best to place your decal at room temperature in lukewarm water.
When you print onto waterslide the ink is laying on top of the paper if you do not seal it, the ink will run off your paper when you place your decal into the water to activate the adhesive.
Conclusion
To print a waterslide decal, first, you will need a printer and some of the best waterslide decal printers are Epson Workforce WF-7710 | Best Printer For Making Decals, HP Officejet 5255 | Best Printer For Decals, HP OfficeJet Pro 8025, etc.
You will also need waterslide decal paper and to need to find a design or make your own one. Your personal photos will work too. Print your decal design on the waterslide paper with print settings on glossy photo paper with the best quality print.
Before printing make sure that you check your printer settings for waterslide decals and when your printer settings are set, your image is uploaded, edited, and resized to fit the project to your liking, all you have to do is simply print it to your home-based printer.
