WHEN WORKING ON A CURVED SURFACE, IT HELPS TO PLACE THE DECAL IN VERY WARM WATER. YOU MAY ALSO WARM THE SURFACE OF YOUR PIECE BY FILLING IT WITH HOT WATER. THIS MAKES THE DECAL VERY DELICATE. BUT EASIER TO FORM TO A CURVED SURFACE.
GLASS DECALS:
THERE ARE SPECIAL DECALS MADE FOR GLASS PIECES. THESE DECALS MATURE AT CONE 022. DO NOT TRY TO FIRE REGULAR DECALS ON GLASS. THE GLASS WOULD MELT AT ANY HIGHER TEMPERATURE, AND THE DECALS WOULD NOT MATURE AT ANY LESS.
Decal # 014055 - China Painted Roses
PREPARATION:
Decals are generally applied to a fired glazed surface. You may use Gloss, Satin, or Matte
glaze, but they must be fired before the decal application. Each type of glaze will give a
slightly different appearance to the fired decal. Select light colored glazes as most
decals will be lost on a dark background.
After you have picked the decal you plan to use, trim around it closely. Submerge the
decal in tepid water. As the decal becomes soaked with water it will curl up. As it
releases from it's backing it will begin to uncurl. Once it has done this, it is ready to
apply to your piece. You may remove it from the water and place it on some toweling until
you are ready to place it on your piece. Do not allow it to float off in the water.
APPLICATION:
Make sure the fired glaze finish on the article you have picked is free from dust or
residue of any kind. Moisten the area, then slide the decal directly from it's backing
onto the piece. Slide the decal around until you are satisfied with the placement. Work
gently from the center outward to remove all water and air from under the decal. Begin by
using a damp sponge, then a soft piece of paper toweling. Finally, use a decal squeegee to
be absolutely certain nothing remains under the decal. Any water or air that is not
removed will cause the decal to burn off in that spot. Once the decal has been set, use a
clean damp sponge to clean off the entire surface. Allow drying overnight before firing.
FIRING:
If you have used a ceramic piece, your firing cone should be from 017 to 015.
When firing on commercial tiles or china, it is necessary to fire to cone 015. The finish
on the commercial pieces is so hard; the decal cannot properly set into the finish with a
cooler firing. Always allow pieces to cool before removing from the kiln.
NO FIRE FINISH:
The butterfly house pictured here was finished without firing the decals. To
accomplish this, first base coat your piece with acrylic stains. Spray with a sealer
before applying the decals. Trim the decals of your choice as close to the pattern as
possible. Lay them on your piece making sure they will fit the chosen area. Immerse in
water, as usual, and slide off the backing onto the stained finish. Work the air and water
out from under the decal as you would with a fired application. Allow the piece to dry
thoroughly, and then spray again to seal the decal. This same procedure may be used on
wood. Shellac may be used as a final sealer.