Where can I get waterslide decals?

[PowerTube]

I'm customizing a headstock.

Thanks.

[rjohnstone]

eBay... and most of them suck.

If you're not set on water slides, Best-Decals has great vinyl decals that are super thin.

[PowerTube]

eBay... and most of them suck.

If you're not set on water slides, Best-Decals has great vinyl decals that are super thin.

Thanks. I've never done this before. So I can't just go out to a craft store and buy them, I guess?

[rjohnstone]

There are water slide kits (special paper) for ink jet printers, but the quality and durability suck terribly and can't make anything with white in it as a color.
This is pretty much all you'll find on eBay.

True water slides are hard to find and would require a significant order be placed if you wanted a professional printer to make them for you.

[PowerTube]

There are water slide kits (special paper) for ink jet printers, but the quality and durability suck terribly and can't make anything with white in it as a color.
This is pretty much all you'll find on eBay.

True water slides are hard to find and would require a significant order be placed if you wanted a professional printer to make them for you.

A local hobby shop sells the Testor's brand, so I'll try those and see what I can do. The decal I'm doing is only in black.

[sully]

A local hobby shop sells the Testor's brand, so I'll try those and see what I can do. The decal I'm doing is only in black.

I've used the Testors kit and had success. JCF member Krimson makes great waterslides. Even gold or silver metallics.

Sully

[Brian]

I ordered one from this guy http://decaldudemy.co.nr/ for a refinish I was having done.

Took about 2 weeks to get to the USA but it was the best looking water-slide decal I could find. I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

[rjohnstone]

I ordered one from this guy http://decaldudemy.co.nr/ for a refinish I was having done.

Took about 2 weeks to get to the USA but it was the best looking water-slide decal I could find. I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

That's a pro quality water slide.
Nicely done too.

[PowerTube]

Well, crap. I got some Testors waterslide sheets today and they printed beautifully. But the instructions say to apply their "Decal Bonder." I only bought the waterslide sheets, not the whole kit. Sure enough, after three hours drying time, the ink just disintegrates in water. So, I guess I'll have to drive back across town tomorrow and get that.

That is, unless any of you know a workable substitute.

EDIT: Never mind. I sprayed it with the same clear acrylic coating I used on the headstock. Worked beautifully! Once it dries for 12 hours, per the instructions, I'll put another coat of clear acrylic over the top and be all set!

[Newc]

I bought some rub-on transfer paper from BelDecal a few years ago. They have both Clear and White (so you can get white areas) and they do pretty good IMO. I tried the Testors before that, and yeah, the ink dissolves in water.

Rub-ons work best as the paper contains a coating that lays down over the decal to seal the ink.