Using Lazertran Waterslide Decal Paper for Artists

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING LAZERTRAN WATERSLIDE DECAL PAPER FOR ARTISTS

To Fix To Glass, Ceramic Tiles and Shiny Sheet Metal and Foils
To Bake on Ceramics, Metal and Glass to give a Hard Waterproof Finish
Instructions for Using Water Based Adhesive Method for Paper or Canvas and for Decoupage
Pure Turpentine Method - To Fix Lazertran to Paper, Wood, Wax, Stone, Plaster, PVC, and Difficult Surfaces without Acrylic
Transfer a Stamped Image onto a Difficult Surface or Curve using Lazertran
Lazertran Ironed onto Fabric
Lazertran on Metal Foil
Lazertran as an Etch Resist

Purchase Lazertran Materials: Click Here


Images must be copied onto a sheet of Lazertran using Color Photo Copiers only. Canon, Xerox, Ricoh, Minolta, etc, that run at or below 200 degrees C./392 degrees F.

Lazertran is a water slide decal paper that allows you to transfer your own full colour images onto almost any surface including, paper, canvas, fabric, wax, ceramic tiles, glass, sheet metals and foils, plaster, wood and stone. It can also be used as an etch resist and to make stamped and embossed decals and as a way to put images on vacuum forming plastic.

To Fix To Glass, Ceramic Tiles and Shiny Sheet Metal and Foils

For non-absorbent shiny surfaces, no glue other than the gum on the back of the transfer is required. Simply soak Lazertran in water and slide the transfer onto the carrier. Expel all air bubbles with a rubber squeegee and allow to dry for 24 hours. The image can be varnished for protection with either acrylic or oil based varnish.

To Bake on Ceramics, Metal and Glass to give a Hard Waterproof Finish

  1. Print your image on the shiny side of a sheet of Lazertran in reverse.

  2. Put the printed sheet in a hot oven for a minute or so, or use a heat gun to make sure the toners are completly fused on the paper. The image should go very shiny. This will ensure you do not get any tiny bubbles in the image later in the process.

  3. Cut the image to size and soak in luke warm water until the transfer loosens on the backing sheet.

  4. Place the transfer face down onto the surface and slide the backing sheet off. Wash away any gum as this may go brown later on during the baking then squeegee flat to remove any excess water and air bubbles.

  5. Put into a domestic oven at the lowest possible heat setting with the door open for 15 minutes.

  6. After this close the door for a further 15 minutes.

  7. Now increase the temperature very slightly and continue to do this over the next 45 minutes until the transfer becomes shiny like a glaze.

This will happen at about 200 degrees C or 420 degrees F. As domestic ovens are not very accurate, rely on the look of the transfer rather than temperture. The image will now be protected by the clear transfer.
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Instructions for Using Water Based Adhesive Method for Paper or Canvas and for Decoupage

  1. Stretch your paper or canvas over a flat board. Prime canvas the with acrylic primer. For paper, seal with clear acrylic medium, or craft glue to avoid cockling and increase mobility of the transfer. Allow to dry.

  2. Trim your image to size and lower, into clean water. The paper will roll up. Allow to soak for a minute or so.

  3. Using a short haired roller or brush, apply a fresh coat of acrylic onto the area to which you wish to fix the image.

  4. Lift the Lazertran out of the water and partly slide the transfer off the backing sheet.

  5. Lay the Lazertran onto the wet acrylic. Position and slide out backing sheet from under the transfer.

  6. Position your image, then carefully expel air bubbles with the roller.

  7. Allow to dry flat overnight. Matt acrylic medium can then be applied to give a matt finish.

The application of overlays and decoupage is as above. To apply images over oil paint see Fixing with pure turpentine.
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Pure Turpentine Method

To Fix Lazertran to Paper, Wood, Wax, Stone, Plaster, PVC, and Difficult Surfaces without Acrylic

  1. Trim your image to size and lower, wide edge first, into clean water. Allow to soak for a minute or so.

  2. Lift the Lazertran out of the water and make sure you have wiped away any excess moisture.

  3. Soak your receiving surface with pure turpentine and slide the transfer onto the surface.

  4. For paper, carefully roll flat with a soft roller moistened with pure turpentine and leave overnight. The transfer will melt and migrate into the surface. Do not over work the transfer, as it will smudge. Any bubbles will disappear overnight.

  5. For surfaces other than paper, for instance rough wood, the melting of the image into nooks and crannies can be helped by brushing the image with pure turpentine. Do not force into holes or curves, as it will do this itself overnight.

  6. For putting over existing oil paint, wipe the painting or brush over with pure turpentine. Then lay transfer onto the surface. If too much turpentine is used the image will break up. Always lay flat until dry. n.b. Turps substitute or white spirit will not work.

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To Transfer a Stamped Image onto a Difficult Surface or Curve using Lazertran

Stamp your image directly onto a sheet of Lazertran using waterproof stamping ink. Dry using a heat gun or iron then apply to surfaces using craft glue or any of the above methods..
You can also use embossing powder with Lazertran. Use an iron through the backing paper or heat gun to set. When using embossed image you cannot use the pure turpentine method it is best to use craft glue to apply the stamped or embossed transfers.

Lazertran Ironed onto Fabric

  1. Copy your image in reverse then place the Lazertran face down on the cloth.

  2. Set iron to hot and iron onto the cloth until it is well stuck.

  3. Wet the backing paper and peel off. Wipe away gum from image and allow to dry.

  4. Place baking parchment, not grease proof paper, over image and iron. Allow to cool then peel off baking parchment and repeat until the image sinks into the cloth.

This method can be used for needlepoint canvas and tapestry canvas as a guide.
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Lazertran on Metal Foil

Simply iron onto the foil. Turn over and iron again to make sure it is well stuck. Immerse in water and remove backing sheet. When dry the foil can be reheated to make sure of full adhesion.


Lazertran as an Etch Resist

  1. Copy image in black and white and negative using a colour photocopier onto a sheet of Lazertran.
    (Now you should make sure the toners have been melted onto the Lazertran properly by putting the sheet into a hot oven. In a short time the black toner will go shiny. This will avoid bubbles forming later in the process). Now cut to the size of your etching plate.

  2. Soak in water for a minute or so, then place the transfer, image side down, onto the degreased plate, slide off the backing paper, then, using a soft rubber squeegee, expel all air bubbles, creases and moisture.

  3. Put in a domestic oven and increase the temperature from zero as slowly as possible up to 170 degrees C until the transfer melts and becomes sticky, then allow to cool. This will take at least half an hour. The first 100 degrees are crucial and must not be rushed as this can cause bubbling.

  4. Place the plate in a bath of pure turpentine and wash away the decal, leaving only the toners on the plate. All traces of the slimy decal must be removed. A soft brush can be used. This will take about 20 minutes.

  5. Lift out and carefully wash off turpentine in warm soapy water.

An aqua tint can now be applied. You are now ready to etch. Before printing remove toners with solvent, nail polish remover or wintergreen oil or heat until melted and wipe off with rag and white spirits

Note. This method can also be used on glass and metal if you want a full colour image and wish to remove the decal.

Purchase Lazertran Materials: Click Here

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