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Learn all about waterslide decal paper, a unique image transfer technique that you can use to beautify almost any object by simply adding your favorite graphics or text!
What is the waterslide decal paper and where to use it?
The waterslide decal paper is a special transfer paper that you can easily use to transfer an image or text. The best things about this paper is that is translucent and can be used on almost any smooth surface.
You probably already know by now that I love using this paper on Dreams Factory’s decorations, the main reason being the clear final aspect that you get both on the image being transferred but also on the surface transferred on.
I have successfully used the waterslide decal paper to transfer images to wood or HDF (High Density Fiberwood), bamboo objects, glass or porcelain coffee cups, metal tins, metal & terracotta pots, book covers, furniture, jars and even polymer clay and candles. You can find below all about waterslide decal paper transfers and some of our French and Shabby Chic decorations, made with this amazing transfer paper, as you will see, the possibilities are endless.
Good to know before applying the waterslide decal paper
Decide on the images you want to use. I’m such a big fan of The Graphics Fairy’s amazing free images, I’m sure you love them too. I use them a lot on my projects because they have a high resolution and I can easily resize them to perfectly fit my needs. I also love making (mostly French) digital collages, you can check my graphics for more inspiration.
You can save your image/images on your computer, copy them into a Word document or in Photoshop and adjust them as you wish. I usually print multiple images on the same decal paper, not to waste any inch of this magic paper! :)
Tips and tricks
> For a good quality final result try printing on decals clear, high resolution images.
> If you use decals on any painted surface, you can use a matte finish spray after applying them, to seal both the surface and the decals.
> If you are using your decals on glass, ceramics or porcelain, it is recommended that you choose a border for your images, so they would sort of blend in on the surface.
> To better fix the decals onto glass, ceramics or porcelain you can bake the decorated object in the oven for 8-12 minutes at 110 Celsius degree, but make sure you check them constantly because they can easily burn. You will know the decals are ready when they will start to get a ‘glassy’ look. Even if you bake the decorated objects like this, they will not be safe to wash in a dishwasher machine, only by hand.
> If you want to make them dish washing safe, you will have to fire them into a special oven called kiln* – like the one here – which is especially used for burning objects at higher temperatures. This special oven will practically burn the decals and permanently print your image onto the object.
> There are different types and brands of waterslide decal paper, some are for inkjet printers, others for laserjet printers so make sure you also carefully read their instructions before using them, because there might me some differences.
How to apply the waterslide decal paper
This is a demonstration on how to apply decals on a painted surface, but the principle are the same for all other surfaces. So print your images on the shiny side of the decals and let them dry for a few minutes. Prepare a bowl of water and set aside.
Cut the images with the scissors, close to the borders.
Remove the waterslide decal paper from the water and apply it on your object. Slide and gradually remove the paper base of the decal, leaving the translucent top foil with the rinted image on your object.
Use a paper towel to remove any excess water or any air bubbles under the decals. Wipe gently and try not to move the decals from position, starting from the inside of the image and gradually going to the outside of the image. Set aside, let them dry.
Apply on all your tins that you can find and you are done! :)
Where to buy the waterslide decal paper?
I usually use the waterslide decal paper from Forever (suitable for laser printers) if you find this type of paper, I really encourage you to use it, I had the most amazing results with it so far!
For my friends in the US – HERE is a list with some of the distributors that sell Forever products. You can also find Forever on Facebook and Instagram.
LATER EDIT:
I finally found a company in the US that sells the exact type of paper I’m using from Forever! I even contacted them … and they confirmed! Yoohoo! :)
You can find them on Amazon, here is the link –> waterslide decal paper for laserjet printers.
If you can’t find this exact type of paper, I’m listing below a few similar products.
I haven’t used them myself, just remember to always check the manufacturer’s instructions before buying and applying the decal paper, most of them recommend different ways of applying this type of paper.
WATERSLIDE DECAL PAPER
- Waterslide Decal Paper 10 Sheets Pack, Clear or White, Inkjet or Laser Printer
- Laser Waterslide Decal Paper WHITE 10 Sheets Package
- Waterslide Decal Paper, Clear For Inkjet Printer, 10 Sheets
LASERJET PRINTER (THE ONE I’M USING NOW)
Home decor inspiration: Dreams Factory’s top DIY projects and handmade decorations made with waterslide decals
Wooden French tray
French Shabby Tool Box
Wooden boxes and crates
French Bamboo bowls
French Made Pots
Liquid soap dispenser (porcelain)
Shabby French Painted Jars
Shabby French cake stand
French coffee cup
Shabby decorative books
Painted & distressed upcycled cardboard boxes
Metal pots
Decorative signs
{click on the image to see a step by step tutorial/ click pe imagine pentru tutorial}
I’m sure you are convinced by now , like I am, that you can do millions of things with waterslide decal paper transfers and you can easily add a personal touch to an object, whether it is a small Vintage, Shabby Chic, romantic … or any other lovely detail. :)
If you need further informations or just want to say ‘hi’, leave a lovely comment below.
Don’t forget to smile! ♥
Diana
Ika
Prekrasan post, sve si lijepo objasnila!!!
Pozdrav iz Hrvatske.
Dreams Factory
I'm glad you like it, Ika!
Hugs,
Diana
Shirley Smith
This is so cool but where do you buy that transfer paper? Love all the projects !!
ligia
buna … ma intereseaza sa cumpar acest tip de hartie … nu am cont de breslo si nu intentionez sa imi fac momentan … exista o alta posibilitate sa o pot achizitiona de la voi? multumesc
Diana / Dreams Factory
Buna, Ligia
Scuze de intarziere, momentan noi nu mai comercializam hartie de decal, doar o folosim :)
Daca te intereseaza, as putea insa sa-ti comand data viitoare cand mai comand de la furnizor, ne putem auzi pe mailul shop@dreamsfactory.ro pentru detalii suplimentare.
Diana
Pat
Where do you buy the transfer paper? So want to do this
Diana / Dreams Factory
Pat, sometimes you can find waterslide decal paper in craft stores.
You can also find it online, here are a few links from Amazon: http://www.bydreamsfactory.com/products-i-use/
Hope this helps!
Jacki
Hi – Thank you so much for the information!! I have a couple of questions, I’ve never used this before but ordered some and just got it :)
* all that I’ve seen/read has used B&W images, I want to do full color – do you know if it will transfer well?
* I will be printing with an inkjet and that’s the paper I ordered – will my ink run when I place in water before transferring? How long should I let the ink jet decal dry before applying?
* I read on another tutorial that the painted furniture needs to be varnished before applying the decal but I read another blog post that you commented NOT to varnish first? Which should I do?
I have a sweet little desk I have painted
and want to apply a beautiful bird image from the graphics Fairy onto…
Again – thank you SO much for any advice you can give me!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hi Jacki, I hope my answer doesn’t come too late, I had some crazy busy days and somehow missed your comment.
*I have successfully printed both black & white and colored graphics on waterslide decal paper, with great results, full colors should work, but the final results may vary depending on your printer (it has to be a good printer, one that would recognize and print all the colors from the image).
*I mostly use a laser printer for my projects and do not have a great experience when in comes to inkjet printers, but if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions from the package, all should be fine, the inkjet decals are made especially for inkjet printers. The drying time and the applying time should also be specified under the instructions, these are small things that might be different from manufacturer to manufacturer.
* I always apply my decals directly onto the painted surface and apply the varnish afterwards. I like it better this way, but this will also depend on what type of decals you are using and what type of paint you are using. You could make a test and apply a small portion of the decal paper on a piece of wood, painted with the same paint that you used on the dresser and see how it goes.
Hope this helps :) If you have any other questions, let me know!
Lu
Beauty..
Jill Peterson
I dont usually write posts but I felt compelled as we just bought a new home and since my husband is french, I wanted to do chabby chic with french themed accents which are usually pricey and hard to find. I love doing crafts and it was extremely gracious of you to share how to go about doing these projects. Not only will I include trays, boxes and pillows for my home, but will be buying or repurposing things I would never use and making them into personal christmas and birthday gifts. I was wondering how to go about transferring onto material so I could make pillow inserts but I am sure I will eventually find it.
Thank you so very much!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Jill, thank you so much for your lovely comment!
How exciting to have a new home and decorate it as you wish! It’s like using a blank canvas and starting to play with colors, patterns and different textures!
I agree with you, buying home decor items can be pricey, that was one of the many reasons I started making them on my own … and when I started, I couldn’t stop! ;)
I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make or transform items I had around my home into high-end looking pieces of decor.
Plus there is nothing more fulfilling than making them on your own, the satisfaction you get is incredible!
I remember sharing in one of my older posts a list with a basic set of French decorations that you can just adapt to every season and use all year in your home – you can click here to go to that post.
For materials you can use iron on paper or Citra Solv (you can find more on Pinterest), hope that helps! :)
Have a lovely week,
Diana
Rita
Love these ideas, look superb and can be easily adapted to any theme. Where exactly do you buy the Forever paper? the link you have seems to be a general information page and not an ordering page.
Thank you!~
Marcy91
I see your page is similar to my blog. Do you
allow guest posts? I can write high quality & unique articles for
you. Let me know if you are interested.
Valarie Jolly
Hi Diana,
I have tried the slide decals before, but there is always an edge around the image. In your beautiful photos I never see an edge and I am wondering if you use a special type of film or sand the edges? How do you make it appear that the image is actually transfered and not just adhered? Thank you so much for your help. Valarie
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hi Valarie,
If I apply the decal on a smaller portion of a painted object, for example, I use a sealer afterwards and cover the whole surface (you can choose either a glossy spray or a matte one). This will help the decal ‘blend in’ and you can hardly see the borders afterwards. But you can see them still … if looking closely :)
Tamara Mitchell
I loved this and I tried it last year on some flower pots to sell at our local Garden Club’s plant sale. I used both plastic and clay pots. I painted the pots with primer and then with either dusty blue or moss green. I used waterslide decals for ink jet printer and then fixed the decals with clear Krylon spray. Sadly, the dccals didn’t fare well at all. I brought the pots home that didn’t sell. Some were left out all winter and the decals completely washed off. The printing washed off and faded badly on others. Even the ones that were not exposed to rain and snow mostly peeled off. Some survived, but had yellowed and didn’t look very nice. I’d have to say that this might be a good technique for items that don’t have to be washed and are kept inside, but it doesn’t work well for things that must endure weather of any kind or repeated washing.
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hi Tamara,
Water and humidity may not be decals’ best friends, that’s for sure!
But have you tried using the Krylon spray to protect the whole surface? One or two coats that would seal both the decals and the painted surface?
I do that will all of my painted decorations, after applying the decals, and had no problems like this so far.
Connie Hulsey
When using the kiln to make the item dishwasher safe—does the BRAND of the paper make a difference? I do not have a laser printer—and can’t find info as to whether the printer makes a difference too? I have some original designs that i would love to put them on some mugs! Can’t find answers as to the brands of paper or if inkjet decals can also be fired. Help please!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hi Connie,
I’m sorry, but I cannot help you with this, because I haven’t tried the kiln firing myself so far.
I have only seen people doing it online, but like I said, I haven’t tried it.
One thing you could do is try to get in touch with the company producing or selling the inkjet decals and ask them if their decals can be fired in a kiln.
Please let me know how it works, would love to know more details about this.
Tommy Gosselin
Hi, I bought some WHITEs waterslides decals papers and I got problems with it. When I put it in the water I leave it for about 60 sec and the decal don’t want to slide off… what should I do?
Jane Coomes
Just wondering if you have used the waterslide decal paper on the acrylic tumblers? I want to personalize a couple of them but wasn’t sure if it would work. I’ve used the decal paper for several projects and absolutely love it!!! Thanks for any help you can provide.
Diana / Dreams Factory
Jane, I think you could use the decals on acrylic tumblers too – you can basically use them on almost any plane surface.
I’m not sure what you could use to seal them though, maybe a matte finish spray? You should give it a test first maybe on the bottom if using the spray, some of its component might react in a strange way when in contact with the acrylic.
If you are only trying to make the tumblers look good – aesthetically speaking – and don’t care about sealing them, I think you should be fine. As a personal preference, I would use a design with any type of border around it. I always do that when applying the decals on a clear surface because it helps them to sort of blend in better.
Hope this helps, please let me know if you try them on your tumblers :)
Teresa Bridges
I love all of the decals you place on the glass jars. I did one already and in the process of doing 2 more I love your website and love doing the projects you teach us. Thank you
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you for your lovely comment, Teresa!
I’m really happy you like them and even tried them yourself, it’s always great to see people are trying my projects!
Have fun creating .. some more! :)
WILLIAM TRESFGAR
HELP!!! I am trying to print decals that have white lettering. I have used the clear and whit backed decals. Neither worked. Is there a special type of decal paper I have to use???
If so, what is it and where can I purchase it.
I am model railroader and trying to print my own decals.
Diana / Dreams Factory
William, as far as I know, you cannot print white letters /white writing on decals.
The white as we see it on our computers is actually seen as a blank/transparent space by a printer and will most likely print a blank page on decals.
You can try to modify the hex code and maybe turn the white into a light grey? Not sure if that will work for you, but it could be a starting point if using it on a darker object.
Hope that helps!
Rebecca B.
I read this and got super excited about trying this. I ordered my paper and my first project was a old sewing box. I painted it with chalk paint and the vintage thread images look great! I was so excited and couldn’t wait to try my next project. I wanted to make a sign for my kitchen that said Reservations Only. It was an epic fail! I don’t know what I did wrong. I thought I did the same thing as before. This time the image cracked and smudged really bad. I had sprayed sealer in it just like before. It wanted to stiick to my hand instead of the wood and it ended up tearing and was just a big mess. Now I afraid to waste anymore.
Pat deyoung
I too have enjoyed the projects that you have published. I tried decal paper on my inkjet printer and they printed beautifully. I soak them in water and the ink came right off. I ordered the paper from Amazon. I am wondering what went wrong. I am teaching a class to 15 women on this and need to know desperately what to do. Pat
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hi, Pat!
I have never tried printing inkjet decals (I own a laserjet printer), but I’ve seen other people struggling with the ink coming off after printing, when using this type of paper.
You could try using this Krylon matte finish spray after printing the decals and before actually submerging them into water.
Hope this works for you and your presentation is a huge success! :)
andrew buckles
What if you were to seal the waterdecals and leave them outside.. Will they fade in the sun?
Diana / Dreams Factory
If they are properly sealed, they should be fine, the sealer would protect the decal!
eatfrysmith
Simple but beautiful. :)
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you! :)
Susi Franco
Is there a reason why you use only Laserjet printers for this? I often do inkjet waterslide decals so I’m wondering if there’s some particular reason you use laser jet over inkjet. A LaserJet printer is pricey and I can’t speak for most folks but I’m not going to invest in a laser jet printer to make these things; it’s not feasible when I have an excellent Epson printer. Just hoping for some clarification and thank you for sharing such wonderful projects!! Best Regards, Susi
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hello, Susi
Thanks for stopping by, I’m happy you like my projects!
I have a laserjet printer and that’s what I’m usually using for my projects, but of course, everyone should use what they have around.
I’m always mentioning the type of printer because I want people to be aware that there are significant differences when in comes to the two types of printers and the actual decal paper for these two.
Inkjet printers are simply not something I’m familiar with, that’s why they don’t get mentioned very often! :)
Cyn
Thanks so much for this helpful information!
Could you tell me if you have embellished laser decal paper with pencils and/or pens? I am trying to figure out which art medium is best for my laser waterslide paper. I have found that a Sharpie works, but when I wipe with alcohol to distress the image, the alcohol removes all Sharpie marks (or course! sigh).
I don’t mind experimenting… I love it, in fact! I was just hoping for some expertise in the area of art mediums who can give me information about the compatibility and maybe the “chemistry” of it all.
Again, thank you so much for sharing your talent and inspiration. I love ALL the products you have made~
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you so much, Cyn! I’m happy you like my projects!
Not sure on what type of surface you are using your decals, but you could use an acrylic spray to seal them first, let everything dry and then try embellishing them. I sometimes use a matte acrylic spray from Krylon or a water based sealer on a painted and then decorated with decals surface, and I found that some markers work really well after this, while others don’t at all. So I guess it’s all about experimenting after all! :)
Cyn
Interesting idea. I use color LASER decal paper, so sealing is not called for, but a layer of sealer might provide a “ground” that would hold the embellishment. I’ll have to try that!
I was really hoping to learn of some kind of art medium that was able to bond permanently with the color laser decal (waterslide) film. I may have to accept that such a medium does not exist! … at least until our art supply stores open back up again and I can consult with their staff!
Thanks for sharing your art and creativity with us and thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question. You are SO kind!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Sealing is not a must for colored or black & white laser decal paper, I know, it was just an idea of what you could try:) In this case the sealer would actually replace the acrylic medium but could just act and work like one.
Gabi
Hello there from Austria!
You have no idea how much joy you and the Graphics Fairy brought me. I really love workings with you technique.
But I have a problem. I tried some normal laser printers (not the versions for companies) and my decals only got smudged. It because of the heat such a laser printer produces. So you need to print it fast. But as we all know, all printers for homes ar not as fast as the ones for the office (I only can use the printer in my office). As I only can print in black and white in my office, I wanted to know, if you know a printer, that you can use with water slide decals. I know that you postet your printer, but this printer is of course not available anymore. Just wanted to know if you have a hint.
Thank you so much.
Gabi
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hey, Gabi, so happy you like my projects!
Decals specifically designed for laserjet printers should be able to withstand high temperatures when printing. I usually make a few settings on my printer before printing the decals (setting the type paper to high gloss or choosing the weight of the decals in grams or the heavy paper type – it really depends on the printer), this will assure a perfect printing. The smudging usually happens when the decal is going too quickly through the printer – that happened to me a few times, when I forgot to make the settings I mentioned earlier and I printed the decals as regular paper, the default setting on my printer.
If you want to buy a laserjet printer you need to check (before buying it) the weight of paper it could support. You will also need to know the weight of the decal paper or any other special paper that you would want to print. For example, I can print with my printer different types of paper until 220g and my decals have around 170g. If this part is covered, theoretically any printer should be able to print any decal paper! :)
Hope that helps, if you have any more questions, please let me know!
And sorry it took me so much time to get back to you, I just found a lot of comments that went straight into my spam folder … not sure why.
Sharon Rooney
I wonder can anyone help me please? I’ve applied my decal onto my chalk painted coffee table top.. but unfortunately I didn’t realise I should have cut around the images before applying, so unfortunately I now have a very visible a4 sheet appearance. Iis there any way I could rectify this please?
I would be very grateful for yiur help..
take care, Thanks so much. Sharon
Diana | Dreams Factory
Hey Sharon,
Not sure if you managed to make this work somehow, decals tend to look a little bit off on chalk paint sometimes.
What you can do is try to peel the decal off using some water, but this only works if you haven’t added a final sealer!
Another thing that you can try is to create some sort of border around your decal to mask its edges – maybe some gold paint. You could also use a stencil and some texture paste, but it really depends on the final look you are envisioning for your decorated object.
One last thing that comes to my mind if you absolutely hate how the decal looks is to just paint over it and try to hide it. I’m guessing you will need to apply a few layers so you can completely cover the decal’s edges, but it should work!
But again, it really depends on the object you decorated and your preferences!