Talk to me about water slide decals

[pisquee]

We are looking at developing a few new products, and think that water slides will be the way to go, but as we've not done them before can someone give me some pointers please.

Firstly, you have a sheet of transfer stuff that you print on - are ones which work on standard pigment inkjet printers OK, what's the difference with the laser printer ones?

I see some that need varnishing to seal and others which need over curing, or heat pressing - what's best?
Assuming we don't have a print and cut machine - do you just cut them out with scalpel/knife/scissors?
Are there self weeding types?
Can you get it in 24/36/44" roll format instead of sheets?

Anything else you think we should know before we venture into the unknown?!

Thanks

[socialgiraffe]

I was looking at these recently for a job that I am working on. I only tried TMT's laser printer version which printed well and stuck to the ceramic. However, there were quite a few air bubbles in the decal so it appears that there is a bit of a knack to get this right.

I do know that these particular decals need to be cured for 10 mins in an oven to be completely stuck, they should not need varnishing afterwards, the item will then be dishwasher safe, but how long it would last is anyone's guess.

I do not think you would need a self weeding one as you simply purchase transparent decal paper to start with.

I have no idea about ink jet decals and would be interested to hear of anyone using decals on a regular basis

[GoonerGary]

I was looking the magic touch's decal paper for a product.

http://www.themagictouch.co.uk/acata...fer_Paper.html

I didn't get as far as testing it, but I received a test purchase of a mug which looked like it had been printed with this paper and was put into a heat press to cure it. It doesn't appear to immediately scratch off. You can see a clear film around the edge of the design though.

As for sealing, I researched tons of products, it depends if your item is a household product or worn against the skin? A lot are toxic, smell or peel with age.

[logobear]

i don't think TMT waterslide is very resiliant, - even after cure you could easy scratch it off.
The backing is cloudy so don't look great on glass

[GoonerGary]

Found my email from TMT:
The DCT paper is to be used with Oki toner printers.
The DCT can be cured on hard surface items (mugs, metal, pottery) using a domestic oven.
Once heat cured it is waterproof but not totally scratch proof.

[weston]

Best way for water slide is: ceramic lithos and kiln fire to approx 800.. litho fires into the ceramic glaze and will never scratch off etc..

[ArferMo]

he he thats why I bought a kiln

You can use a laser printer but the carts with special powder for firing make sawgrass ink look as cheap as rain, the firm that sells them also offers a service of printing your designs for you which you can then apply and fire.

[JMugs]

I keep looking at Kilns.....then runaway because it looks like something I would enjoy too much!

Janners