Decal and transfer printing technologies allow users to create customizable images and adhere them to various items from coffee mugs, to T-shirts and mouse pads. For printing production business owners, learning decal and heat transfer printing techniques will increase revenue and allow you to create promotional items for other businesses as well.

Consider adding bumper sticker printing as another feature of your education and your business since it is a great way to increase sales and to promote your business capabilities. Here are some additional things to consider about decal and transfer printing education and training:

1. Take classes to learn decal and transfer printing production from art schools and colleges.

2. Learn decal and heat transfer printing by attending online classes.

3. Gather information about decal printing supplies by attending seminars and using videotapes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend art and graphic schools to learn about decal and transfer printing production

Home-based entrepreneurs can use software programs and a decal printer or bumper sticker printer to create their own items, so to set your business apart, it's important for you to know more about these techniques so that your capabilities for creating custom items will draw customers to you. One of the best ways to do this is by attending art or graphic design schools where you can learn about decal and heat transfer printing techniques as well as digital photography, and other printing production methods.

I recommend: Visit the U.S. Government Printing Office website to learn about training opportunities available at the Institute for Federal Printing & Electronic Publishing. Go to the University of Houston College of Technology to read the information about the printing courses offered there as well as their degree program. Learn decal and transfer printing production methods as well as many other printing techniques at the Andrew J. Gress Graphic Arts Institute.

Get decal and transfer printing production education by taking online classes and using videos

For busy business owners the ability to take online classes is a great option since they can study from the comfort of their home or office, as well as create their schedule and learn at their own pace. There are colleges and universities that offer online training classes so that students can earn degrees and certification. Some colleges create videos to demonstrate printing techniques and these are another great way to learn about decal and transfer printing production.

I recommend: Attend online classes at the Rochester School of Technology School of Print Media for all facets of digital and lithographic printing including decal and heat transfer printing methods. Read the directory of online classes available through various seminars and classes at many art schools and graphic institutes at Training Classes.com. Use the videotape lessons offered by Murray State to learn about printing production applications and techniques.

Continue your education with videotape lessons and by attending seminars on decal transfer printing

Since it's important to keep up with any new developments in technology, printing supplies and printing methods, it's also important to continue your education. Attending seminars is a great way to learn about new developments as well as to network with other business owners.

I recommend: Attend one of the symposiums or seminars offered by Clemson University to learn about new printing production methods. Go to events hosted by the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts to network with other creatives and learn about industry innovations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Since technology is always changing and there are new developments in decal printers and other sticker printing supplies, read trade magazines and join organizations for professional printers.

Decal and Transfer Printing Production is a tool businesses can use to customize a wide variety of products. Transfer printing allows you to adhere an image directly onto objects, such as sweatshirts or mouse pads. A decal printer places your company logo or other message onto a variety of paper products used in business. There are many options available right from your computer. Use one of many online decal printers to produce your design.

Generate your own decals with special decal printing supplies, design a sticker or decal and upload it. Make customized labels for filing, stickers to remind or call attention to important information on office forms, and special instructions for important tasks. Use stickers on marketing mailings, and shipping orders to remind your customers about a special sale or thank them for their business.
Types of printing using decal and transfer methods:

1. Use water-slide decal paper to transfer images to objects, such as glass, candles, wood, tile, ceramics and enamel
2. Make labels and stickers using digital printing
3. Create decals and custom apparel such as t-shirts with transfer printing

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase decal printing supplies to make your own decals

Many types of decal and label-making paper exists to help you make stickers yourself. Sticker printing can aid in filing, mailing and other common business tasks.

I recommend: Purchase inkjet printer media at Texas Craft. Buy water-slide decal paper for ink-jet and laser printers DecalPaper.com.

Enlist the services of a decal printer for decal and bumper sticker printing

Use decal transfer-type printing to produce bright, vibrant colors on stickers and decals of all shapes and sizes. Decal transfer is a process that can produce vinyl or paper decals. Professionally printed labels with your company logo in bright colors encourages potential customers to open your corporate mailings. In some industries, stickers can be a fun gift for the customer while also promoting your corporate name.

I recommend: Choose from 3 processes and many decal sizes at Planet Label; ask for a free quote for custom sizes. Inkchaser prints stickers, bumper stickers and window clings. Upload your own file to get custom stickers printed at GotPrint. Get a price quote for decals and bumper stickers at PsPrint.

Obtain transfer printing services to create custom apparel and other items

Company employees and customers like to wear shirts or caps with the company logo on them. Mouse pads and mugs with the company logo or slogan make good gifts for current or potential customers. Tote bags are another way to gain visibility for your company.

I recommend: Order transfer printing onto apparel, mouse pads, award plaques, fabric products and more at Image Wizard. Buy custom-imprinted tee shirts for low prices at Cheaptees.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Broaden the scope of your advertisement by making custom apparel for your employees. Give out t-shirts, mugs and mouse pads at company sponsored events with the company logo or slogan.

A decal (also called decalcomania) is a transfer made of plastic, cloth, paper or ceramic with a design printed on it. Makers then transfer the design to another surface. The four main methods of transferring designs are:

1. Slide off - where the image slips off the backing sheet onto the surface.

2. Face down - where the maker places the decal, printed in reverse, against the surface. When the paper backing is removed, the design sticks to the surface.

3. Duplex or varnish - where the maker uses a coat of tacky varnish to transfer the design from the face-down design.

4. Face up - similar to the slide-off decal, but it is on the inside of a glass surface and can be viewed through the glass.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Dry rub-off decals

The simplest decals to use are dry rub offs. The inked side of the design is placed face down on the surface. Pressure is then applied to the back of the transfer paper until the design is imprinted on the surface.

I recommend: Crafty Computer Paper gives instructions for using dry rub-off decals; they also have a video. Craftbits explains how to create dry rub-off decals.

Water transfer imaging

Water transfer imaging or printing is also sometimes called curve coating printing because it is used on rounded, irregular or textured surfaces. This process must be used on surfaces that are water resistant, such as fiberglass, plastic, stone or ceramic.

I recommend: Burdette offers step-by-step instructions for water transfer imaging as well as a video showing the process.

Heat transfer

In the heat transfer process, the decal is placed face down on the surface. Heat and pressure are then applied to the back of the decal until it is imprinted. This can be done on a large scale using a machine or on a smaller scale using an iron.

I recommend: BestBlanks answers a list of questions about the heat transfer process. Feihong shows the heat transfer process on a large scale.

Foil stamping

Foil stamping can provide a glittery look on fabrics or other surfaces. These transfers are done with several types of machines (a hand press, a pneumatic stamper or a foil fuser) that use heat and pressure to attach the foil. The choice of machine depends on what surface you are attaching the metallic design to.

I recommend: Geno Jezek supplies basic information about foil stamping, including its history and uses. Additional links on the site offer information about the equipment used and the various processes involved in making foil transfers. Screener's Choice has a video that demonstrates the process.

Screen printing

In screen printing, a squeegee is rolled across a finely woven screen to force paint into the openings between the mesh. For silk screening, or serigraphy, a stencil is made by coating parts of the mesh with an impermeable substance. The ink only penetrates the uncoated parts of the screen.

I recommend: Ryonet Corporation has a video on the silk screening process as well as a question-and-answer section that helps with troubleshooting. Reuel's Distribution covers the step-by-step process and materials used to create the designs.

Simplex or duplex paper

Two kinds of paper can be used for decals - simplex or duplex. Simplex, or single paper, is an earlier style of decal paper. It consists of one sheet of heavy, porous paper. Duplex, or double paper, has one layer of non-porous paper with a sheet of tissue attached. Both types of papers are coated so the image will separate easily during the transfer process.

I recommend: The Complete Book of Silk Screen Printing Production by Jacob Israel Biegeleisen describes both types of paper and explains how they are used.