Decal Application Tips Needed

[JFace]

I applied a laser jet decal to a powder coated enclosure and I'm not too impressed with the results. When looking straight at the enclosure from a distance, it looks great, but at an angle or close up, it is obvious that it is a decal. I used individual small decals for the controls and for the name. The decals appear to have micro bubbles that wouldn't come out, giving the appearance of light cloudiness. So I'm asking for some advice on how you apply your decals.

Here are some questions I hope to have answered:

Do you apply one single decal over the entire face, or is it possible to do multiple miniature ones as I have described above?
Do you apply any softening agent, such as vinegar, after application, or only during the soak?
Is the appearance of your decal good enough after application, or do you need to apply a clear coat to make it better?
Are the micro bubbles to be expected, or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for any advice.

[stringsthings]

I apply one decal that covers the face of the decal.  Sometimes, the decal looks slightly cloudy after it dries.  But after a few coats of clearcoat
the cloudiness goes away.  I use clearcoat to protect the decal and the painted finish.  It also makes your pedal look shiny! 

[karbomusic]

Do you apply one single decal over the entire face, or is it possible to do multiple miniature ones as I have described above?

I usually do the entire face of the pedal with a single decal.

Do you apply any softening agent, such as vinegar, after application, or only during the soak?

No but IMHO use cold or room temperature water or the label is more likely to stretch while working with it.

Is the appearance of your decal good enough after application, or do you need to apply a clear coat to make it better?

I always use clear coat to protect it an assume that is always expected.

Are the micro bubbles to be expected, or am I doing something wrong?

There should be no bubbles and if there are you should be able to rub them out.

With spray acrylic clear coat:



With epoxy clear coat:



^ Both using a full label which is also faster because I don't have to place lots of little labels. On rare occasion I do smaller ones but usually not.

[bloxstompboxes]

I do one decal. Make sure you get as much of the water out from under the decal as possible. Do this especially if you plan to put it in a toaster to dry your clear coat. If not, you can get raised places in the toner ink and bubbling. A clear coat is a must to avoid the toner being scratched off so easily and it gets rid of the cloudyness as already stated. I use luke warm water myself. Chromesphereson, i think i got his name right, has a youtube video on how he does it. I don't use a cap like he does to squeegy the water out from the decal as it does scrape off some of the toner. A good damp sponge or rag is good enough to smooth it out and remove any excess water.

[GGBB]

Ditto what others have already said, plus make sure the powder coat surface is glassy smooth before applying the decal. Tiny imperfections will trap water/air because the decal is unable sink into them to displace the water.

[bloxstompboxes]

Something I wanted to add. Use of a clear coat will also soften or slightly melt the decal. It doesn't distort it though. You'll notice this if you have your holes predrilled, it will sometimes melt through the holes when first sprayed. This may help soften the edges of the decal for you. A freshly cleared decal looks infinitely better than one not cleared. It suddenly has more contrast and visibility. Good luck.

[karbomusic]

Do this especially if you plan to put it in a toaster to dry your clear coat.

Just an addition that I also get them pretty darn dry by working out the water with a folder paper towel and then I put it in the toaster oven at 120F or so before I do the clear coat to make sure it is 100% dry. Then clear coat and baking to dry the clear coat.

[bloxstompboxes]

Do this especially if you plan to put it in a toaster to dry your clear coat.

Just an addition that I also get them pretty darn dry by working out the water with a folder paper towel and then I put it in the toaster oven at 120F or so before I do the clear coat to make sure it is 100% dry. Then clear coat and baking to dry the clear coat.

Exactly. I either wait a while before applying the clear coat or make sure it is dry with a paper towel and throw it in the oven a while. I used a paper towel the other day too and you just have to make sure that there is no lint/dust left behind before you clear. That goes without saying, I suppose.