How to Create and Apply Water-Slide Decals for Ceramic Tiles

How do you create / apply your own water-slide decal transfer for wall tiles?

Decal preparation is simple and easy to do if directions are followed well. There are a few steps involved for successful decal preparation:

Remove as many sheets as you need for application on ware. It is important that you do not prepare more sheets/decals than necessary because they might spoil and result in wastage. (If they are put into water).

Remove the slip sheet that usually is on top of the paper. Carefully cut out the decals from the sheet, allowing enough room around the edges for handling during application.

Have a shallow pan (or any other clean non porous container) ready and filled with clean lukewarm to warm water.

Place the decals (one full sheets’ worth or the equivalent of that) into the water and allow them to sit for a minute or so. The decals should easily release from the backing paper.

Hint: Keeping extra cut up sheets handy will make preparation easier. You can store cut up sheets for long periods of time as long as they are not exposed to moisture.

If you require additional information or for any other inquiries please call our office Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM. Telephone (305) 593-0911.

How to apply decals

Decal application requires some skill and a lot of patience. It is a matter of getting used to the material, its capabilities and its limitations. A decal transfer is very delicate. It cannot be stretched or pulled and it requires proper handling. You might have to practice several times before you can actually master the application, but once you are successful, it will become a rather pleasurable task.

There are a few steps involved for successful decal application:

Make certain that all of your ceramic ware (tiles, cups, canisters, plates, etc.) are all thoroughly washed and cleaned. Have them set up near the soaking decals for easy access.

Make sure that your blank ware is slightly wetted so that the decal can be moved easily and positioned correctly.

Remove one decal at a time from water. Place decal (still on backing paper) on desired position and carefully place right hand thumb/finger on edge of decal whilst sliding away backing paper using left hand. If the decal does not fall into perfect position, then you can gently move it into place using the tips of your fingers.

In order to smooth out the decal and remove all of the water bubbles, you will need to use an object called a squeegee. This rubber device is used by holding the decal from one end with your fingertips (very gently) and gliding across it in the opposite direction with the squeegee making certain that there are no bubbles and no creases in the transfer.

If you are decorating ceramic tiles, and you are using a large size decal for the mural, then it is important to have the right number of tiles laid out as closely together as possible so that the entire decal can be applied to the set of tiles at once. When this is completed and when the mural is totally dry, then use a sharp blade to cut the decal along the lines of the tiles, separating the decal into several decorated tile pieces.

Once the decal is applied then put it aside in a cool dry place for it to dry. The ware needs at least 3-4 hours to dry. The ideal drying time though is 6 hours (or just allow to dry overnight).

The next step is the firing.

Firing the decals

The firing of the decals is the easiest part of the process. Once your decorated ceramic ware has completely dried, then you can load your kiln/oven with as many pieces as it will carry, making certain that the pieces are not interfering with one another. You might need to invest in "kiln furniture" which is basically stone racks or blocks used to hold the ware inside the kiln. It helps keep the ware positioned and out of contact with other pieces.

Bel Inc ceramic decals fire at 1400° -1450° F using ceramic CONE 017.

Once you have loaded your kiln, you must set it to the proper cone/temperature and press START. Make sure that your kiln is in a well ventilated area because you do not want anyone to inhale the fumes.

Once the firing is complete, allow the ware to cool off thoroughly before handling it. Opening the lid of the kiln can speed up the process.

If you require additional information or for any other inquiries please call our office Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM. Telephone (305) 593-0911.

Are they permanent?

Yes. All of Bel Inc’s fired ceramic decals are permanent. You will never have to worry about fading or losing color from the decoration. Ceramic wall tile decals cannot be applied to finished wall, because they need to be fired. Decals applied and fired correctly on any ceramic ware will result in permanency.

Tip: Any ware used for test firing may be used more than once. So if you fired a decal on one side of a coffee mug and you wanted to fire another decal on the other side, you could. Nothing would damage the ware, the first decal, or the second decal.

If you require additional information or for any other inquiries please call our office Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM. Telephone (305) 593-0911.

Various applications:

Our ceramic decals may be used on :

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic coffee mugs

Ceramic canisters/containers

Ceramic pot holders

Ceramic light switches (frames)

Ceramic photo frames

Ceramic collector ware/plates

Ceramic ornaments

Ceramic fixtures/trinkets

Ceramic dolls

And many, many more items.

If you require additional information or for any other inquiries please call our office Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM. Telephone (305) 593-0911.

10913 N.W. 30th Street Suite 103, Miami, Fl 33172 Phone: 305-406-9507 Fax: 305-593-1011

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