With decals you can transfer an image to any surface. Whether the image is a company logo, a detail piece for a model or even your business name, once applied they become permanent additions to your application surface. There are two primary transfer methods for applying your decals. The water-slide method, used primarily for smaller decals, and the pressure application method for larger decals typically made of vinyl. Each method requires a different type of decal created especially for its use. Either method, though, can give you a colorful, detailed graphic, applied in minutes.
Instructions
Water Transfer Decal Application
1. Cut the decal from the sheet of paper it's printed on. Make the cut as close to the outside edge of the decal as possible.
2. Place the cut sheet containing the decal into a warm bowl of water.
3. Wait between 30 and 60 seconds for the decal to begin to slide from the paper. The water will begin to turn a milky white at the edges of the decal from the activated glue, indicating the decal is ready for transfer.
4. Remove the decal paper from the water and place against the intended application surface.
5. Hold the decal against the surface and slip the paper from beneath the decal, transferring the decal directly to the surface.
6. Use a squeegee to lightly pat the decal, working any air bubbles from beneath the decal and removing any excess water on the surface of the decal. Allow the decal to completely dry on the new surface to remain in place.
Pressure Decal Application
7. Place the decal paper onto a flat surface with the decal face-up. Burnish the surface of the decal while it remains on the paper by using the edge of a credit card to apply pressure to the decal.
8. Place the decal against the intended application surface.
9. Burnish the surface of the decal again to loosen it from the paper.
10. Pull the clear transfer paper containing the decal from the paper and discard the paper, placing the decal directly against the application surface with the side of the decal formerly protected by the paper down against the surface. Burnish the surface of the transfer paper from top to bottom to apply the decal to the surface.
11. Peel the transfer paper from the surface, leaving the decal behind against the application surface. Remove any air bubbles in the transfer by puncturing the bubble in the center with a needle and applying pressure to the bubble from the edges to the puncture removing the air.
Tags: application surface, paper from, Burnish surface, decal from, from paper, surface decal, transfer paper