How to use High Adhe Waterslide Decal Paper

When making dishwasher-safe designs, Film-Free Waterslide Decal Paper, and High Adhe Waterslide Decal Paper are the go-to products for transferring your designs from home or office printer, to surface. No expensive equipment required. Great for home parties, personalized gifts, dishwasher-safe labels and kitchenware.

High-Adhe is a special version of our popular Waterslide Decal Papers. The adherence is much stronger, and it's curable, allowing you to make your designs dishwasher-safe

Film-Free is our multi-award winning decal paper that is also dishwasher-safe, creating "filmless" transfers where you peel the film, leaving behind cured ink. Also available in Metallic. Film-Free process comes with additional steps and glue. It's worth the additional effort, but if you prefer the convenience of High-Adhe Waterslides, follow along and we'll guide you on how to do it perfectly!

Instructions

Materials Needed:

Laser Printer
Scissors, Craft Knife or Cutting Machine.
Squeegee, Tissue or Popsicle.
Lukewarm Water.
Oven or Blow dryer (for dishwasher-safe results).

High Adhe Waterslide Decal Paper doesn't need mirroring (flipping the image).

Step 1: Print

Make sure your Laser Printer Settings have been set accordingly:

PAPER TYPE: Label Paper (175g or more) / Thick Paper / Decal Paper.

DPI: 600 or above. We recommend higher DPI for miniatures / dioramas.

Maximum Photo Resolution.

We advise you to use the manual feed in your printer (not the paper tray).

Print on the glossy side of the decal paper.

Step 2: Cut

Cut out the image using Scissors, a Craft Knife, or Cutting Machine.

If you are using the white version, then any edges left around the image will leave a white outline, so you may want to cut closer depending on your desired result.

Step 3: Submerge the Decal in water

Submerge in lukewarm water until the image has separated from the backing paper.

You'll know it's ready if the two layers glide between your fingers. Don't leave in the water for too long as this can ruin the decal.

The backing is meant to slide, but do not take off the backing yet.

Step 4: Apply

TIP: Splash some water on the surface, it'll make it easier to re-adjust.

Place the decal down with the image facing away from the surface.

Gently slide the decal onto the surface, by sliding out the backing from underneath.

Waterslide:

You can now slide around the decal on the surface gently until you are satisfied with the position, then press down to start securing the image.

Step 5: Squeegee

Once the decal is in the desired position, gently remove any excess moisture by using a squeegee. A tissue is useful for wiping away excess water.

We strongly recommend using our squeegee or similar, as it has a large contact area, ideal for Waterslide Decals.

You can gradually press down harder to squeeze out any excess moisture, while the adhesion starts to secure the image.

The decal will start to look dry if done correctly.

At this step, your decal is now ready for non-dishwasher use!

High Adhe offers a stronger adhesion than our existing Waterslide Decal Papers.

However if you require dishwasher-safe results, you will need to cure it by following the next step.

Step 6: Heat Cure

To make the decal dishwasher-safe, heat cure is required.

Electric Oven is recommended.

Please choose the best drying method for your surface material.

These guidelines are based one 1 ceramic plate, and may vary for your oven, surface material, and quantity.

We recommend running some tests. If you suspect the decal will turn yellow, please decrease the temperature by 10°C.

Oven: 30 mins in preheated oven at around 160°C~180°C maximum (320°F~360°F).

Hair Dryer: at least 30min of heating the entire surface.

Curing using Microwave or Air Fryer is not recommended. Natural dry is not possible.

Finished!

Let the product cool down before putting in cold water, otherwise it might break due to sudden change in termperature.

Washing

After curing, the decal can be washed by hand and dishwasher.

Please avoid scratching the image or scrubbing with rough sponges (e.g steel scourer), while the decal is wet.

How can I maximise longevity and durability?

We recommend choosing an appropriate finish for your project, such as W1 Top Coat, Epoxy Resin, Clear Acrylic Sealant, Mod Podge, Clear Polyurethane Spray, Ceramic Glaze. This will protect your decal and allows you to make the finish glossier or more mattified.

How can I print white?

Domestic Printers are designed to print onto white paper, as such, white ink isn't included. You may need to use a White Toner Laser Printer, usually available at your nearest printing service.

How can I improve the visibility on dark surfaces?

600 DPI (Dots Per Inch) is plentyful even for transfering onto black ceramic. However if you want even richer colors and detail, a higher DPI printer will pack more pigment into an area with fewer gaps between the toner (dots). This is often unnecessary unless working on very tiny transfers (miniatures and dioramas), however is noticible side by side.

I made a mistake, how can I remove the transfer?

To remove the Film-Free decal, you will require acetone.

For this reaason, keep acetone away from the decal.

High Adhe Waterslide Decal Paper Structure

If you have any questions, difficulties or need some advice, feel free to contact us. We'll be more than happy to help.

Tutorials