Transparencies for decals????

[grrrrrant]

Is it possible to use transparencies as a decal?  Has anyone here tried?  Let me know.  I bought transparencies and dark color iron on transfers but I heard the iron ons will ruin already painted boxes. SO......  I want to try the transparencies, but not sure how.

Grant

[Hanglow]

I do my boxes with transparencies, another couple of people here do as well. I'm completely lacking in patience and lack any form of artistic ability when it comes to finishing boxes, so this is a happy medium for me.

What I do, is drill the holes in the box, then scan in the box and do the design over the scanned in image. Once done I print it out, sand the box to get it smooth/bright, then apply a bit of clear coat to it, some more to the back of the transparency and place it on top when the clear coat is tacky. Then coat coat and coat until I think it's done.



Heres a couple done with that method


But the java boost one was one of the first ones (i didn't take much care when laying the transparency down and put it onto completely wet paint) and as you can see, under a reflection there are some air bubbles formed. You don't notice this otherwise.



From now on though, I will probably just do full colour ones like the phaseur, as it hides any possible air bubbles. Also it looks better I think (well, apart from the dodgily cut corners!)

as for doing it onto paint, I'm sure it would work as long as the paint is completely flat

[MarcoMike]

Hey, I made one of mine with adhesive transparent paper... Actually also Hanglow's method looks promising! I made just one box that way because my colour printer really sucks and I didn't like the result on wide monochromatic parts...
Well.. this is it:

[Pushtone]

I do my full face graphics just like Hanglow...

by using the clear coat as the adhesive that glues down the art.

I mostly use paper and the clear coat "adhesive" dries overnight.

When I tried transparency stock I noticed the clear coat trapped between the box and the transparency takes a lot longer to dry.
Twenty four hours after being applied the transparency could still slide around if pushed.
I think it took three or four days for the "adhesive" clear coat to dry before I could apply top layers of clear.
The plastic of the transparency impedes the drying.

I had the same trouble with small air bubbles too.

There is also "Window decal inkjet" stock from Staples.
It sticks on its own without adhesive and can be peeled up.

[micro]

What is this clear coat you guys use? Is it a spray?  Where do I get it?

[moro]

Hanglow, I've seen that phaseur of yours a couple of times now--it's very very cool. What kind of printer do you use?

[Hanglow]

Hanglow, I've seen that phaseur of yours a couple of times now--it's very very cool. What kind of printer do you use?

Just an HP PhotosmartC6100, inkjet. Cheers for the compliment, but it's no where near as good as some of the finishes on here. I don't know how some people have the patience! I think the picture I nabbed off some site makes it look quite cool

What is this clear coat you guys use? Is it a spray?  Where do I get it?

I use this stuff Simoniz acrylic laquer. You should be able to get something similar at a DIY store like B&Q or similar or a car parts supplier.