Waterslide Decals

legokilt · Post by **legokilt** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:54 pm

Folks,
Can anyone tell me who on Bricklink sells waterslide decals? I saw some folks have them on minifigs, but I am looking for just the decals. Thanks.

siabur · Post by **siabur** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:33 pm

I've found them at the local hobby shop where I buy my trains and rc car stuff.

-Niki's Husband

Quickblade22 · Post by **Quickblade22** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:10 pm

Jared at Fine Cloner has waterslide decals for sell. Fine Cloner. Roaglaan has a BL store also. Roaglaan's Customs. Hope this helps.

Roaglaan · Post by **Roaglaan** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:17 am

Quickblade22 wrote:Roaglaan has a BL store also. Roaglaan's Customs. Hope this helps.

Except that mine are stickers not water slide, all-though I am thinking about having them printed on decal paper but wont be for a while though.

Roag

Quickblade22 · Post by **Quickblade22** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:16 am

Sorry Roag, I had forgotten that yours were stickers and not waterslide. They are worth mentioning though. As far as being able to buy your own waterslide paper, I believe that they can be purchased online somewhere. I have asked a few hobby stores and they didn't quite understand what I was talking about.

Post by **Ye Olde Republic** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:32 am

A decent place to ask is your local train club. Not LEGO trains, HO scale etc. I'd wager that there isn't one far from your town if there isn't one right in your town.

Trevor

Roaglaan · Post by **Roaglaan** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:50 am

Quickblade22 wrote: Sorry Roag, I had forgotten that yours were stickers and not waterslide. They are worth mentioning though. As far as being able to buy your own waterslide paper, I believe that they can be purchased online somewhere. I have asked a few hobby stores and they didn't quite understand what I was talking about.

No worries, I have purchased decal paper before but for my inkjet. I need to get some for laser now and there are numerous places online to get em.

micromark

decalpaper.com

HPS LLC

I have purchased from all 3 of these, but only with inkjet. What I have learned is that with inkjet you need to seal the ink before you can use it, usually with an acrylic clear spray. I'm not 100% positive but from what I have read laser doesnt have to be sealed since it is basically burned on with the laser.

Roag

LEGOFREAK · Post by **LEGOFREAK** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:23 am

looks like all the bases have been covered here. I can vouch for Kamino - his stuff is DA BOMB!! seriously cool - plus he'll print your own designs. If you want to go and do it yourself, it's actually fairly simple. I find the laserjet stuff works better than the inkjet, but the inkjet is easily workable.
unfortunately I really dont have any advice on the topic that hasn't been given, so this might be considered a frivolous post... but I did want to give some encouragement.
Also, don't knock stickers. If you print on some nice paper (talk to the Kinko's folks.

) and use a glue stick, then you can soak them in water and reuse the torso's.. decals are pretty permanent.

Freak

TriUmp · Post by **TriUmp** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:19 am

If you're looking to have your own designs printed, I'll be able to help you out.
I've recently purchased an ALPS MD, like Kam's, and have several unused waterslide sheets.

ottoatm · Post by **ottoatm** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:28 pm

LEGOFREAK wrote:looks like all the bases have been covered here. I can vouch for Kamino - his stuff is DA BOMB!! seriously cool - plus he'll print your own designs.

I have to agree - Kamino's stuff is great, and he's a very good guy - go here first~

Lcuan82 · Post by **Lcuan82** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:44 pm

ottoatm wrote:
LEGOFREAK wrote:looks like all the bases have been covered here. I can vouch for Kamino - his stuff is DA BOMB!! seriously cool - plus he'll print your own designs.
I have to agree - Kamino's stuff is great, and he's a very good guy - go here first~

But Kam has been super busy though. It's much harder to get a hold of him nowdays to do special printing requests.

Roaglaan - if you start offering waterdecals, I think a lot of people will be itching to buy from you

shmails · Post by **shmails** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:11 pm

Jared uses an ALPS printer, which is another type of printer all together. It uses powdered ink on a tape that allows the decals to be printed and not need to be sealed.

Roag is correct about inkjet decal paper. I use a 5 step spray technique that works very well. Unfortunately, there are some downsides other than the spray smell.

1) The spray will cure and harden over time. Not much, but enough that white decal paper will show some minor crackling where you cut it. If you use them right away, and do not save extras, this is not a problem but becomes expensive.

2) The paper is sensitive to humidity. If it is left out before printing, it tends to curl when applied. This can be combated by using a dry, soft brush to flatten the edges. Use a brush as wide as the torso and hold the decal in place, do not brush, for a ten count. Do this on three sides, then brush any air bubbles to the fourth side, then hold the brush over the fourth side to seal the decal. If you print, spray, and then do not apply within 24 hours, it will curl more and more, eventually making it impossible to use.

3) Don't ask me why, but some colored torsos do not allow the decals to slide as well as others. I have put loads of setting solution on a black torso, but unlike white, it all beads up in one point. When the decal is placed, it has much less slide than a white one, and you must be accurate and quick to get it in place correctly.

4) Decals must be sealed after applied or the will come off quickly. I use a gloss lacquer spray, three coats. It dry wery quickly, but the smell will permeate everything. Spray outside, in a garage, or use a spray booth or you will regret it.

So inkjet waterslide decals will not work for sale, but maybe laser ones will. Again, you will have to do some tests to see how long they last before becoming difficult to apply.

I hope this helped. If you want to see examples of my minifigures, here is my brickshelf folder:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=321258

Roag, let me know how the laser decals work, and good luck to all