water slide decal

[Grizz]

Can you buy water slide decal in sheets that work in your printer? And will it work in a laser printer?

Grizz

[MikeH]

I used to use the inkjet variety, which worked out ok.  I think they have special types for laserjet printers because the inkjet stuff can melt in a laserjet printer.

[bipedal]

Yes.  Small Bear carries decal sheets for ink jet printers and laser jet printers -- you can find them elsewhere too.

For ink jet decal sheets, it's critical to clear coat the decals after printing (several coats), otherwise the ink runs/smudges badly when you dip the decal in water.

Much less of a problem with laser-printed decal sheets, in my experience...

[Grizz]

I would think you could get them at hobby store that sells model airplane and cars.

[Electron Tornado]

What kind of clear coat are you using on ink jet pages?

[danielzink]

What kind of clear coat are you using on ink jet pages?

Krylon for me.

[treadwm]

DecalPaper.com

25 laser decal sheets for $26.35 incl shipping. They just arrived today!

[Grizz]

Treadwm...I would like to see some pictures of the finished product.

[DanAngus]

DecalPaper.com

25 laser decal sheets for $26.35 incl shipping. They just arrived today!

how long does it take to ship

[Mick Bailey]

I use Lazertan.

[Mick Bailey]

Oops! should read Lazertran. There are two version, one for laser, one for inkjet. Plenty of postings on this forum regarding use.

[cpnyc23]

I use Lazertran Inkjet paper in an inkjet printer.  I've never once clear coated before soaking in water.  I usually let the sheet dry for a few hours.

Of the many many decals I've used, never once have they run.

Perhaps it is the printer?

-Chris

[treadwm]

DecalPaper.com

25 laser decal sheets for $26.35 incl shipping. They just arrived today!

how long does it take to ship

It took about 4 days to get to Maine.

[treadwm]

Treadwm...I would like to see some pictures of the finished product.

Just put the color coat on today (red Metalcast on a mostly polished aluminum case). It'll be a bit before I get to the decal but I'll post when I do.

[cpnyc23]

Treadwm - i love the look of the metalcast .  Very smooth and even work.  Nice job!

-chris

[treadwm]

Thanks. It turned out better than expected. The box prep was a lot of work. I sanded up to 1500 grit and polished with red/white rouge on a felt wheel. The more polished the surface, the better the translucent result.

I also tested it on alum sanded to 400 grit in one direction (to get the Zippo lighter brushed look) and sanded with a 2" disc sander. Over the brushed alum it was ok. On the 2nd, I sanded continuous arcs with 150grit discs. Pretty coarse. The result was interesting and odd. In bright sunshine, the combo of red Metalcast and the arcs gave it a cool 3-D quilted maple look. But if you changed the angle it turned really dark. Inside the effect was much less pronounced. Not my thing but food for thought for someone else.