PREPARATION: Prior to applying your decals, use alcohol to thoroughly clean your glazed piece where the decal will be placed.
APPLICATION: Place the decal in a bowl of warm water. The decal will curl. Leave it in the water until it relaxes - approximately 20 seconds. Remove the decal from the water. With the use of your thumb and index finger, slide the decal from its paper backing onto the glazed ware. Position the decal with your fingers to the desired location. Absorb the excess water with a paper towel or soft cloth. Using a latex squeegee, working from the center of the decal outward, work out all the air bubbles and water. Any air remaining under the decal when fired will result in "pop" marks that will spoil the look of your finished piece. Once you are satisfied that the decal is properly applied, and has thoroughly dried (up to 24 hours), you are ready to fire your glazed ware.
TIP: Do not leave decals in the water once they have released from the backing. It will make them hard to use and will become more fragile. If you have several decals that have been soaked, take them out of the water and place, with the paper backing, on a surface that will not dry them out.
TIP: When applying decals to a rounded surface, follow the same procedure, except pre-warm your glazed ware in your oven, or run under warm water. A warmed surface will help keep the decal relaxed for ease of application.
Note: When using ceramic decals on surfaces other than glazed ware, be sure the decal does not need to be fired for the colors to mature and that it has no precious metals (e.g. gold) in the design.
DECALS ON STAIN/ACRYLIC:
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Clean, fire & stain your piece in the usual manner.
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Trim the decal close to the design.
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Apply decal in the usual manner. Note: wetting the area to be decaled will aid in the mobility of the decal.
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Spray the finished piece with 3 to 4 wet coats of porcelain spray to seal the decals and the stained surface. Any water-based sealer can be used. Spraying is the best method for sealing because brushing can move &/or tear the decal.
DECALS ON WOOD:
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Paint the wood with the desired color of stain and allow to dry. If you are leaving the wood a natural color, it will be necessary to seal the wood with a ceramic or porcelain spray or brush on sealer, before applying the decal.
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Trim the decal close to the design.
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Apply decal in the usual manner. Note: wetting the area to be decaled will aid in the mobility of the decal.
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Spray the finished piece with 3 to 4 wet coats of porcelain spray to seal the decals and the wood surface. . Any water-based sealer can be used. Spraying is the best method for sealing because brushing can move &/or tear the decal.
DECALS ON PLASTIC OR METAL:
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Leave the plastic surface as it is, paint the metal with acrylic paint.
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Trim the decal close to the design.
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Apply the decal in the usual manner.
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Spray the finished piece with 3 to 4 wet coats of porcelain spray to seal the decals and the entire plastic or metal surface. . Any water-based sealer can be used. Spraying is the best method for sealing because brushing can move &/or tear the decal.
DECALS ON PORCELAIN OR STONEWARE BISQUE:
DECALS ON BISQUE (NO GLAZE):
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Clean greenware as usual.
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Fire greenware to cone .03 or .04.
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Sand bisque smooth.
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Apply 3 coats of apt-II ceramic enhancer. Allow to dry between each coat.
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Apply decal in the usual manner.
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Apply one coat of apt-II and let dry.
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Fire to decal cone .017.
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Spray a matte or gloss sealer on bisque.
DECALS ON MOUNTED TILES
I have received a lot of questions about application of decals on mounted tiles (not to be fired). You can use decals on tile that will not be fired but it takes time/care to mount them properly. Do NOT use in a tub/shower without firing. First, you must be sure the tile is clean. You need to find an appropriate glue/sealer that will not yellow, peel... (I do not know of one to recommend - you may want to try calling a tile place) Use this glue/sealer under the decal as well as over it to seal it to the tile. If the tile is anywhere near water, be sure the sealer can handle the moisture. You cannot scrub a tile that has un-fired decals applied. I am going to find/test some sealers, but this will take awhile.
Most ceramic decals fire at 017 (1341 deg. F/727 deg. C). If you are working with industrial tiles or china, the decals will need to be fired hotter 016 or 015. Always test fire a piece first. It can save a lot of headaches and waste. Decals with gold fire at 017/018.
These directions were compiled from several sources. Although I am providing these directions, I have not tried them all (yet).
Mary
Artful Balance
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