Waterslide Decal Film: Technical Info With the advent of printable film for inkjets and laser printers, as well as color copiers, custom decal creation at home using waterslide film has become accessible. Waterslide decal film, or water slip, is a thin film used to transfer a design onto a surface using water as a transferring agent. The design is printed face up on the waterslide film, which relies on a dextrose (from corn) to release the film from the decal paper. The dextrose also assists in the bonding of the film to a new surface. Quality film also features a water-based adhesive layer to improve the bonding of the film to the surface. The film itself is typically made of lacquer.
Waterslide Film
ARF Digital Camo Clone Troopers. Helmets by Arealight. Note the red and tan figures feature pad printed helmets, all the others were created through the use of waterslide decals. I designed and created the decals, which were then applied by Michael “Xero” Marzilli.
When considering the various types of materials one can print on and use in the creation of custom figures waterslide film has a massive advantage over all the rest: its thickness. Because waterslide film is much thinner than the others it is capable of taking on complex curves, something that many other decorative techniques such as vinyl stickers and static cling stickers are not. This is also a challenge to some direct printing techniques (discussed earlier in design section). As waterslide film is printed, it can be produced with very high levels of detail. Because of all of these characteristics, waterslide film is the method of choice when it comes to customizing figures.
Decals and Printing This section will begin with the best advice I can offer: before printing on any expensive media always print a test page. Print your designs out on a piece of scrap material or paper. Confirm your color choices as colors on your screen will not exactly match printed colors (RGB vs CMYK typically, see color section page 16). Confirm your details, as you have been working on a magnified design in a vector art program that is actually quite small when printed. Are your details too fine to print or is your design overly cluttered? These questions can typically only be answered once you see the printed product.
Legend of Korra minifigures with decal details.
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We just discussed that waterslide decal film is not only very thin and clear, it (when applied correctly) appears as if it the design was printed directly on the figure. The result should resemble the appearance of a LEGO printed element. Waterslide film is available from hobby stores or online. I recommend the film sold by Micromark (www.micromark.com); they have a sample pack of clear and white film. Clear film will work well on any of the lighter colored LEGO elements; however dark elements create a problem which requires you to use a special printer or use white decal film. This is because the darker LEGO element will show through the printed regions darkening them and in many cases completely concealing your design. This is due to the fact that the inks don’t have the opacity to stand out on the dark elements, because they were designed to print on white paper. If you use white film this gives your design the ability to keep the vivid colors on dark elements, however you will now have to print the torso color or closely trim your decal. Printing the torso color will require a close color match to the torso (or the decaled element), be sure use to use the references listed on Peeron and Bricklink mentioned in the color section (page 16). As most people have access to inkjet and laser printers or color copies (Kinko’s, etc.), make sure you select the waterslide film that is appropriate for your printer or copier. Print your designs using the highest resolution possible for your printer (just like you did when performing your test print). Once printed be very careful not to handle the sheet of decals until the ink