Decals

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING DECALS

1.  Cut out the decal as required from the sheet with scissors.  Many of our customers are now using computer controlled die cutting machines to produce silhouettes and complex designs using our solid colour sheets.

2.  Dip the decal in cold water and leave for a couple of minutes on a clean surface until the film releases and easily slides on its backing.  Now lightly wet the surface of the porcelain and position the decal including the backing sheet over the area where you want the decal to sit and gently slide the film about 5mm over the edge of the backing.  Press this protruding edge down on the porcelain and gently withdraw the backing paper from underneath the film.

3.  Slide the decal to its intended position and using a tissue, or a rubber kidney, gently sweep out any trapped bubbles from underneath the film.  Leave for 10 minutes to allow the glue chance to dry a little and burnish down more firmly with the kidney. Angle the china to the light and carefully inspect for the smallest trapped bubbles. To remove you can either prick with a very sharp needle or carefully lift a portion of the decal, using a scalpel blade, and sweep down again with the kidney.

4.  Allow 3 hours to dry thoroughly in a warm room.

5.  Finally wipe the whole item with a damp cloth to remove any dried glue residue which may still be on top of the decal. This is very important, especially when applying gold decals, as any remaining glue burns away to form carbonised particles which drop down causing unsightly black spots to form on the gold.

Be aware: as more and more decals are dipped into your water container it slowly becomes more contaminated with the water soluble glue

6.  The kiln should take about 3 hours to reach 450C and then you can heat up at 150C per hour until 760C to 820C depending on the colours used in the transfer.