How to Make White Water Slide Decals

A water slide decal uses water to help slide the decal into place. Decals can be used to mark an item as yours, or to advertise your affiliation or business. Decals can also be used for personal expression. You can print out your own custom decals at home.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl of water
• Decal paper
• Roller
• Paper towel
• Gloss clear lacquer
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Print your custom decal on decal paper with your word processor or image editing program. Color prints should be a resolution of at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) when the image is at the dimensions you want.

2. Spray two or three coats of gloss clear lacquer on the decal. This will add stiffness to the decal and help protect the image. Let it dry to manufacturer's specifications.

3. Cut out the decal and soak it in water for three minutes.

4. Apply a small amount of clear lacquer and water to the surface of what you want to apply the decal to.

5. Slide the back of the decal off about a third of the way. Your decal will have a removable paper backing; slide it off part way so you can properly position your decal.

6. Slide the decal onto surface of the object you wish to apply it to and remove the paper backing; slide the backing out from under the decal as the decal is being pressed onto the surface of the object.

7. Gently run the roller over the decal to flatten it to the surface.

8. Blot any remaining water or lacquer from the decal gently. Allow the decal to dry for at least 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Printing at a lower resolution than 300 dpi will result in less clear images.

References

• Lumber Jocks: How to Make Custom Waterslide Decals