Question about printing decals

[petec210]

I'm trying printing my own decals for the first time. The ink dissolved the second the decal was in water. Is there a special ink or printer that I need?

[Paul B. Canney]

Feb 16, 2021 18:55:10 GMT -6 petec210 said:

I'm trying printing my own decals for the first time. The ink dissolved the second the decal was in water. Is there a special ink or printer that I need?

I know that mailing labels I print on my Laser Jet do not have this problem when they get wet (say from rain) . The words do not dissolve like when I print them on our ink jet

I don't know what that does for you. The Laser Jet only prints in Black

[Deleted]

You HAVE to clear coat them (I do 3 light coats, 20 min. apart) and let them sit a couple of days before using them. And you ARE printing them on decal paper, right?

[patw]

I have printed my on decals now for a few years. I print on an inkjet printer, let the sheet dry for a few hours, clearcoat with an enamel gloss from a rattle can. I leave each coat to dry for an hour or so and spray another one or two coats the same way.
Leave for a day or so to properly dry, cut out closely round the image, and dip in warm to hot water. Don't leave in too long.
Wet the surface your going to lay the decal onto, lay up, move into the correct position and dab carefully with some kitchen towel to soak up the excess water, don't leave the paper on the decal because it may come back off on the paper.
I then after a day of drying, brush on or spray on the enamel clear gloss to stop it detaching from the surface.

[davevan1]

Ink jet printed need clear coating. Laser printed do not. Either way remember that the decal is placed on a dark surface will almost disappear completely. The decals are very translucent.

[patw]

Yes with printing decals make sure you use clear decal paper for a light background/paint and white decal paper for a dark background/paint. Also cut close to the images before dipping the decal in water.