Laminated Water Slide Transfer paper for dials, labels, logos etc. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

David G4EBT · 27th Jan 2017, 2:38 pm

I recently mentioned in another thread that dial scans or your own artwork such as makers’ logos or your own text and designs, can be printed onto water-slide transfer paper (‘decal paper’) and printed on a normal ink-jet printer, (or a colour laser printer if the correct paper is bought), to apply to a glass or metal dial, or a cabinet. Many forum members may know this and will have experience of creating their own transfers.

I thought it worth mentioning that in addition to normal water slide transfer paper, if you own a laminator you can spare yourself the hassle and time it takes to seal your decal with a clear acrylic varnish. Crafty Computer Paper now stock laminated inkjet water-slide decal paper in A3 & A4 sizes. The advantage of this paper is that unlike the normal decal paper, there’s no need to seal your decal with a spray varnish - you just run it through the laminator before applying it. The paper is available in white or clear background and can be applied to any non-porous surface - painted or varnished wood such as a logo on a radio cabinet, glass or plastic, as with radio dials, and metal, for dials which are printed onto painted metal panels.

I’ve not tried the laminated paper yet, but I’ve used the normal ink-jet decal paper on an off for about ten years or so. More info about it here:

https://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.u...l-paper-p11237

Someone mentioned that they wondered if the transfers would withstand the heat when applied to a radio valve. I've had no problems in that regard, and Crafty Computer Paper claim that when applied to ceramics such as drinking glasses and mugs, the transfers will withstand hot water when washed, but aren't dishwasher proof.

It's true that on a conventional ink-jet or laser printer you can't print white, gold, copper etc, but you can certainly fool the eye. The attached logo isn't mine - another forum member created it some time ago, so I claim no credit for it. Even on normal paper it looks very realistic so as a water-slide transfer to attach to a cabinet, I think it would look quite respectable.

Hope this info might prove useful to someone.

JayBee66 · 27th Jan 2017, 6:31 pm

Also available for laser printers too, which is of more use to me.

I was going to use the iron-on method for some panels I am making for a DIY modular synth but I'll give this method a try for comparison.

Thank you for alerting me to this.

PSValves · 27th Jan 2017, 10:59 pm

Interesting. I wonder how well it would work with this product:

https://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.u...r-foils-p11244

I've used the foil before on card and found it extremely effective, allowing you to print in true metallics with a mono laser.

David G4EBT · 27th Jan 2017, 11:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBee66

Also available for laser printers too, which is of more use to me.

I was going to use the iron-on method for some panels I am making for a DIY modular synth but I'll give this method a try for comparison.

Thank you for alerting me to this.

For things like front panels, the film is surprisingly durable and as I said earlier, the printing looks much more solid on a painted background such as a painted metal dial or equipment front panel than it does on glass. The only paper I've experience of is the water-slide decal paper, but they sell a wide range of specialist papers, including iron-on, and dry rub-off decal paper such as this:

https://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.u...l-paper-p11207

Station X · 7th Jul 2021, 1:30 pm

Has anyone tried using the laminated WST paper? What was your experience with it?

I have to print some transfers and as I need a laminator anyway it would be better to spend money on that rather than Acrylic spray.

Electronpusher0 · 7th Jul 2021, 5:44 pm

I must admit that I just cannot get on with water slide decal. I print it and spray laquer it and water slide but I just cannot get the air bubbles out and it looks dreadful.
I am using my last few remaining sheets of letraset Safmat, brilliant stuff but sadly discontinued.

Peter

Goldie99 · 7th Jul 2021, 6:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electronpusher0

I must admit that I just cannot get on with water slide decal. I print it and spray laquer it and water slide but I just cannot get the air bubbles out and it looks dreadful.
I am using my last few remaining sheets of letraset Safmat, brilliant stuff but sadly discontinued.

Peter

Are you spray laquering it before you apply (water slide) it ? I always assumed you printed it, applied it, and then spray laquered it in place as the final step, the same as in the old airfix days.

Electronpusher0 · 7th Jul 2021, 7:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldie99

Are you spray laquering it before you apply (water slide) it ? I always assumed you printed it, applied it, and then spray laquered it in place as the final step, the same as in the old airfix days.

The instructions say to laquer (2 coats) before using water to slide, I assume thats because the ink from the inkjet printer would run.

Peter

Goldie99 · 7th Jul 2021, 7:16 pm

Sorry - I was referring to laser printed water slide transfers - that explains the difference.

27th Jan 2017, 2:38 pm	#1
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,766	Laminated Water Slide Transfer paper for dials, labels, logos etc. I recently mentioned in another thread that dial scans or your own artwork such as makers’ logos or your own text and designs, can be printed onto water-slide transfer paper (‘decal paper’) and printed on a normal ink-jet printer, (or a colour laser printer if the correct paper is bought), to apply to a glass or metal dial, or a cabinet. Many forum members may know this and will have experience of creating their own transfers. I thought it worth mentioning that in addition to normal water slide transfer paper, if you own a laminator you can spare yourself the hassle and time it takes to seal your decal with a clear acrylic varnish. Crafty Computer Paper now stock laminated inkjet water-slide decal paper in A3 & A4 sizes. The advantage of this paper is that unlike the normal decal paper, there’s no need to seal your decal with a spray varnish - you just run it through the laminator before applying it. The paper is available in white or clear background and can be applied to any non-porous surface - painted or varnished wood such as a logo on a radio cabinet, glass or plastic, as with radio dials, and metal, for dials which are printed onto painted metal panels. I’ve not tried the laminated paper yet, but I’ve used the normal ink-jet decal paper on an off for about ten years or so. More info about it here: https://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.u...l-paper-p11237 Someone mentioned that they wondered if the transfers would withstand the heat when applied to a radio valve. I've had no problems in that regard, and Crafty Computer Paper claim that when applied to ceramics such as drinking glasses and mugs, the transfers will withstand hot water when washed, but aren't dishwasher proof. It's true that on a conventional ink-jet or laser printer you can't print white, gold, copper etc, but you can certainly fool the eye. The attached logo isn't mine - another forum member created it some time ago, so I claim no credit for it. Even on normal paper it looks very realistic so as a water-slide transfer to attach to a cabinet, I think it would look quite respectable. Hope this info might prove useful to someone. Attached Thumbnails __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

27th Jan 2017, 6:31 pm	#2
JayBee66 No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Kilkenny, Ireland Posts: 138	Re: Laminated Water Slide Transfer paper for dials, lables, logos etc. Also available for laser printers too, which is of more use to me. I was going to use the iron-on method for some panels I am making for a DIY modular synth but I'll give this method a try for comparison. Thank you for alerting me to this.

27th Jan 2017, 10:59 pm	#3
PSValves Pentode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 151	Re: Laminated Water Slide Transfer paper for dials, lables, logos etc. Interesting. I wonder how well it would work with this product: https://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.u...r-foils-p11244 I've used the foil before on card and found it extremely effective, allowing you to print in true metallics with a mono laser.

7th Jul 2021, 1:30 pm	#5
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Laminated Water Slide Transfer paper for dials, lables, logos etc. Has anyone tried using the laminated WST paper? What was your experience with it? I have to print some transfers and as I need a laminator anyway it would be better to spend money on that rather than Acrylic spray. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

7th Jul 2021, 5:44 pm	#6
Electronpusher0 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 2,300	Re: Laminated Water Slide Transfer paper for dials, lables, logos etc. I must admit that I just cannot get on with water slide decal. I print it and spray laquer it and water slide but I just cannot get the air bubbles out and it looks dreadful. I am using my last few remaining sheets of letraset Safmat, brilliant stuff but sadly discontinued. Peter

7th Jul 2021, 7:16 pm	#9
Goldie99 Heptode Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boston, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 995	Re: Laminated Water Slide Transfer paper for dials, labels, logos etc. Sorry - I was referring to laser printed water slide transfers - that explains the difference.