I also had the idea to put waterslide decals onto pens but I was uncertain how to make the finish. Then fortunately I found your video. Thank you very much for the helpful instructions.
Thanks mate although I'm from us ill be lookin for holly my grandfather used sometimes for Christmas trees. Thank you very informative. I just started experienced with Celtic knots on my pens if you have interest UA-cam very easy looked like z until turned. Thanks again. Have friend in new Zeeland. You Aussies are very talented.
Thanks for the kind words Kevin. I use a spreadsheet to print the decals. I set the cell size in the sheet to 5mm shorter than my Barrel and maximise the font to fit inside the cell. Then the size of the name will determine font size.
Hi OW, I don't have a problem with build up except a little ca build up on bushings which I gently touch my tool to. I regularly clean the bed down with RP40.
Great help and thanks one question when you use the final mesh is it used dry couldn't tell in the video. You have given me the courage to try this thanks
Rob, just attempted my first decal on a pen blank and had a problem getting the decal to stick. Per your suggestion, I finished the blank with CA and sanded up to 12,000 micro mesh. Tried several decals and and they all just curled up and wouldn't stick. I wondered if the blank was just too glossy? Thank, Jim
Hi Jim, I am wondering if it is the type of decal you are using. I don not think anything can be too glossy. you may have a faulty batch.. not enough stickyness.. try a decal on some thing else .. a piece of old ceramic etc..
Hi Roger, yes, I do get ca build up. But i just touch my square face carbide tool to them when spinning. I know some use vasoline or similar, but I dont like to risk contamination. Every few months, I will buy a new set of bushes.
Great Jordan, hope to see your applications. Because you can print in colour, you can replicate logos etc. you can get white and transparent decal paper as well.
is this the right paper? www.ebay.com/itm/LASER-Water-Resistant-Adhesive-Decal-Paper-2-Sheets-Glossy-1-Clear-1-White-/272571523447?hash=item3f76876177:g:jikAAOSwjDZYjOzu
Hi Lionel, sorry for the delay, had a hospital stay. The paper is available on ebay. search for laser or inkjet water decal paper. you can print on a laser printer or ink jet printer. with ink jet, you have to seal with acrylic spray before immersing in water.
Nice job! I've done this a few times but have ended up being able to see the clear film under the writing. Any suggestions on how to hide the film? Take care, Dave
+David Morgan Use one drop boiled linseed oil on a dry paper towel and lightly go across the decal. The whitish haze will disappear. Use 3 drops of thin CA on the same paper towel and go over the same area. Let it dry. Then do your usual CA finish avoiding accelerator until the 4th coat. Easy on the accelerator. Have your dust collector running to remove fume build up. Sand as you would for any other CA finish to the shine you want.
I have not used nail decals, but did you seal the decal with acrylic spray before applying? Other than that it may be the paper itself. I use the dedicated decal paper.
Don't know why people use a paper towel for final polishing. Might as well use sand paper. Go to Harbor Freight and get soft polishing cloth for a couple bucks and use that soft cloth to polish. The results will astound you.
so much work for 1 pen what if someone ordered 1000 pens well my purpose of searching for video like this i wanted to knw how to do pens with decals. wish it was easier, plus i dont have that jig it is in and what if i was doing it on plastic pen ???
Decals will work on plastic, but you will not get the finish sealed like on wood. The process will be the same for 1 or 100, but if you did them in batches it will be easier. If you want to do on plastic, why not contact a printer. they can give you a price
I also had the idea to put waterslide decals onto pens but I was uncertain how to make the finish. Then fortunately I found your video. Thank you very much for the helpful instructions.
Great video Rob, very cool idea!!!
Fascinating stuff Rob, the pens look beautiful mate.
Take care
Mike
Hi Rob very Useful Information and nicely explained. Thanks for sharing.
Super stuff Rob, great way to personalise pens. By the way you have really good presentation skills, take up telly.
Thanks mate although I'm from us ill be lookin for holly my grandfather used sometimes for Christmas trees. Thank you very informative. I just started experienced with Celtic knots on my pens if you have interest UA-cam very easy looked like z until turned. Thanks again. Have friend in new Zeeland. You Aussies are very talented.
Thanks for sharing the process. Even in 2020 I was looking for a way to easily, and cheaply add a name upon a client's request.
Thanks for the kind words Kevin. I use a spreadsheet to print the decals. I set the cell size in the sheet to 5mm shorter than my Barrel and maximise the font to fit inside the cell. Then the size of the name will determine font size.
Awesome video! Can you tell me the exact kind of gloss acrylic spray that you used before submerging the paper into the water?
Hi OW, I don't have a problem with build up except a little ca build up on bushings which I gently touch my tool to. I regularly clean the bed down with RP40.
Great looking pen,where did you get your ca glue,and printing paper,I would like to try it,again great pen
Excellent ...just what I needed to know ....thank you
what size font did you use? Seems to be the perfect size for the pens...
beautiful work .
Thank you Eric
If you will rub wax, beeswax is what I do, on the bushings the CA glue will not stick. It also helps to keep the bushings from gluing to the blank.
Thanks for this Rob, it has given me a few ideas
Great help and thanks one question when you use the final mesh is it used dry couldn't tell in the video. You have given me the courage to try this thanks
Hi, yes I use the micromesh dry. If I am polishing acrylic, I use it wet.. Good luck with your efforts.
Hi Antonio, Thank you for your comments and I am glad this has been of help...:o)#
Rob, just attempted my first decal on a pen blank and had a problem getting the decal to stick. Per your suggestion, I finished the blank with CA and sanded up to 12,000 micro mesh. Tried several decals and and they all just curled up and wouldn't stick. I wondered if the blank was just too glossy? Thank, Jim
Hi Jim, I am wondering if it is the type of decal you are using. I don not think anything can be too glossy. you may have a faulty batch.. not enough stickyness.. try a decal on some thing else .. a piece of old ceramic etc..
I used the Testors Decal Paper that others have had success with. Followed their instructions but no luck. I will try one on another surface.
what speed ?
So was the label soaking in water before the application? If so, do the instructions for soaking come with the labels?
Jeremy H. Yes, the abe was in the water about 30 secs.. And yes instructions in the pack.
Thanks
Did you have any problems with the ca sticking to the bushings
Thanks
Roger
Hi Roger, yes, I do get ca build up. But i just touch my square face carbide tool to them when spinning. I know some use vasoline or similar, but I dont like to risk contamination. Every few months, I will buy a new set of bushes.
Great Jordan, hope to see your applications. Because you can print in colour, you can replicate logos etc. you can get white and transparent decal paper as well.
Can you tell me where to purchase the decals and how do you get them personalized. Awesome pens.
You can get the decal paper (Clear) from ebay and print with inkjet or laser printer. You order either type of paper, depending on your printer.
is this the right paper? www.ebay.com/itm/LASER-Water-Resistant-Adhesive-Decal-Paper-2-Sheets-Glossy-1-Clear-1-White-/272571523447?hash=item3f76876177:g:jikAAOSwjDZYjOzu
Very informative. The out come was nice. I will be trying this soon. Thank you for the video. Bob T
Thanks Bob, good luck with your project.
where do you get the paper for the decals, and how do you print the wording, our son is getting married in June, would make an awesome gift. Thanks
Hi Lionel, sorry for the delay, had a hospital stay.
The paper is available on ebay. search for laser or inkjet water decal paper. you can print on a laser printer or ink jet printer. with ink jet, you have to seal with acrylic spray before immersing in water.
Nice Video!
Is laser better than inkjet paper? Also how do you select the image or words you print on to the paper?
I hope all is well, thanks for the info, how do I print the words?
Have you ever tried this on acrylic pen blanks?
Nice job! I've done this a few times but have ended up being able to see the clear film under the writing. Any suggestions on how to hide the film?
Take care, Dave
+David Morgan Use one drop boiled linseed oil on a dry paper towel and lightly go across the decal. The whitish haze will disappear. Use 3 drops of thin CA on the same paper towel and go over the same area. Let it dry. Then do your usual CA finish avoiding accelerator until the 4th coat. Easy on the accelerator. Have your dust collector running to remove fume build up. Sand as you would for any other CA finish to the shine you want.
+Joe Spina Thanks Joe! I'll give that a try.
nice, was searching for this.... thanks
I've tried some nail art water slide decals and they disintegrated when I applied CA. Is there a step I'm missing?
I have not used nail decals, but did you seal the decal with acrylic spray before applying? Other than that it may be the paper itself. I use the dedicated decal paper.
Thans for the comments Richard, I do have a good head for radio...haha, Cheers
Thanks Mike, I am pleased with the result
Don't know why people use a paper towel for final polishing. Might as well use sand paper. Go to Harbor Freight and get soft polishing cloth for a couple bucks and use that soft cloth to polish. The results will astound you.
Thanks Joe, will give it a try
Did you use decal paper to create the decals then sprayed them with clear acrylic?
Pens look great as well
Thank you
I was prejudiced against decals - (cheap and nasty) but your results have made me try it. Well done!!!
Thanks man, hope it worked for you.
so much work for 1 pen what if someone ordered 1000 pens
well my purpose of searching for video like this i wanted to knw how to do pens with decals. wish it was easier, plus i dont have that jig it is in and what if i was doing it on plastic pen ???
Decals will work on plastic, but you will not get the finish sealed like on wood. The process will be the same for 1 or 100, but if you did them in batches it will be easier. If you want to do on plastic, why not contact a printer. they can give you a price
Kevin, thanks for that. I will give it a try...:o)#
one thing you didn't show was ow the decal is slipped off the paper before it is put on the pen other wise good show
16 coats of ca glue is better