Water slide decal

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An example of a vintage water slide decal on its white backing paper Water slide decal.jpg
An example of a vintage water slide decal on its white backing paper

Water slide decals (or water transfer decals) are decals which rely on dextrose residue from the decal paper to bond the decal to a surface. A water-based adhesive layer can be added to the decal to create a stronger bond or may be placed between layers of lacquer to create a durable decal transfer. The paper also has a layer of glucose film added prior to the dextrose layer which gives it adhesive properties; the dextrose layer gives the decal the ability to slide off the paper and onto the substrate (lubricity).

Waterslide decal.JPG

Water slide decals are thinner than many other decorative techniques (such as vinyl stickers) and as they are printed, they can be produced to a very high level of detail. As such, they are popular in craft areas such as scale modeling, [1] as well as for labeling DIY electronics devices, such as guitar pedals.

Instructions for use printed on the back of the above decal Water slide decal instructions.jpg
Instructions for use printed on the back of the above decal

Previously, water slide decals were professionally printed and only available in supplied designs, but with the advent of printable decal paper for colour inkjet and laser printers, custom decals can now be produced by the hobbyist or small business.

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Decal Pattern or image that can be moved to another surface upon contact

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Sticker Type of label with adhesive on one side

A sticker is a type of label: a piece of printed paper, plastic, vinyl, or other material with temporary or permanent pressure sensitive adhesive on one side. It can be used for decoration or for functional purposes, depending on the situation.

Adhesive label

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Foamcore

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Postage stamp paper

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Wall decal

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Vinyl cutter

A vinyl cutter is an entry level machine for making signs. Computer designed vector files with patterns and letters are directly cut on the roll of vinyl which is mounted and fed into the vinyl cutter through USB or serial cable. Vinyl cutters are mainly used to make signs, banners and advertisements. Advertisements seen on automobiles and vans are often made with vinyl cut letters. While these machines were designed for cutting vinyl, they can also cut through computer and specialty papers, as well as thicker items like thin sheets of magnet.

Pressure-sensitive tape

Pressure-sensitive tape, known also in various countries as PSA tape, adhesive tape, self-stick tape, sticky tape, Sellotape, or just tape, is an adhesive tape that will stick with application of pressure, without the need for a solvent or heat for activation. It can be used in the home, office, industry, and institutions for a wide variety of purposes.

References

  1. "paint - 30 year old water-slide decals. Are they still usable?". Drones and Model Aircraft Stack Exchange. Retrieved 2022-08-14.