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Bleeding red on decals

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  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Vernon
Bleeding red on decals
Posted by DMACWW2 on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:40 PM
I posted this on the Scratchbuild forum before I knew there was a decal forum, so I have repeated it here in case anyone else has some ideas.  Thanks to the responses so far.

I recently embarked on creating my own decals. I create the images I want, in several different software tools, bring it together to fill a page of Micro-Mark Decal Paper and print on my HP Deskjet colour printer. The page comes out of the printer looking great, sharp images and text and vibrant colour.

However, when I spray on the 'Decal Bonder' from Testors, most of the red on the page starts to run. If I have a red image or text it shows small bleeding in different areas. Worse is the fact that even the items that are black, run with red. I have discovered that when my printer prints in colour, there is some red in the black.

I experimented by printing some of the same items again and telling the printer to use the Black cartridge only. That worked, even after the bonder/fixer was applied.

So I am left with 2 full decal sheets now with no usable black text and any image with red in it useless. It appears that the red is the only colour that reacts this way. It does not matter if I apply the fixer/bonder soon after the printing, as the Micro-Mark instructions state, or if I wait up to 12 hours for the ink to dry.

SO, anybody had this problem? Am I using the wrong bonder? Is there a different ink I should use?

Thanks for your help.
  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by Scorpiomikey on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:55 PM

Are you using the right decal paper? Check to make sure its for inkjet and not laser.

Also let the ink dry overnight (12 hours) before you even look at it funny or it will turn into the rebellion and use x-wings to mess your plans up (sorry i got carried away with the analogy)

Once the ink is really dry go over it with a misting of the testors stuff. Really light like. If its too heavy it will run taking the ink with it.

Hope this helps.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar"

Recite the litanies, fire up the Gellar field, a poo storm is coming Hmm 

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  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Vernon
Posted by DMACWW2 on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:06 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I am using  Micro-Mark Decal Paper for Inkjet printers, clear.  I used the Testors Decal Bonder.

I applied the spray both just after it came out of the printer, as the instructions say, and I tried one were I waited more than 12 hours for drying before spraying.  I tried a very light first coat.  Light coats are difficult with a spray can.  I got the same results every time, no matter what I did different.  The only page that worked was the one I printed with the black cartridge only.

I was going to do some research to see if there are any different inks available for my HP printer.

I was curious if anybody has ever used Future to seal decals?  That I can apply in very fine mist with my airbrush.

Thanks

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by Scorpiomikey on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:52 PM

Try using the micro mark decal fixative. It might be something in the Testors spray that doesnt like the paper. 

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar"

Recite the litanies, fire up the Gellar field, a poo storm is coming Hmm 

My signature

Check out my blog here.

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