An Introduction to Water Transfer Printing

Water transfer printing, also known as Hydrographicsis plastic, wood, or metal, different steps are taken
is the technology to transfer a flat, two dimensionalto get it ready for the print process. All objects must
photo quality print onto a three dimensional objectbe absolutely clean, dirt and grease free, as
using water as the transfer medium. That is thecontaminates will interfere with the adhesion of the
short explanation but most people aren't familiar withprint. Glossy finishes are scuffed or sanded to
the process, many have never heard of it, and mostprovide a mechanical bond between the object and
do not understand the concept of how it is done.the primer paint coats. Plastics are cleaned with
First let me tell you where you might have seen thespecial chemical grease removers, flame treated to
end product. If you own a late model car or truckalter the molecular structure of the plastic surface,
with woodgrain accents in the passenger interior,and sprayed with an adhesion promoter. Metal
these were most likely done using the hydrographicsobjects are washed in special chemicals designed to
process. Auto manufacturers are using the processremove residue, dried, and are then ready for
on their OEM trim pieces inside most new carspriming.
instead of real wood because it is cost effective,All objects at this point receive a coat of epoxy
more durable, and conserves natural resources.primer just as the body of a car receives when it is
Hunting equipment is also a major market for thebeing prepped for paint. The next step in the process
process. If you have seen rifles, shotguns, compoundis spraying a contrasting or complimentary base color
bows, and other hunting accessories done into give the object a uniform color and texture for
camouflage patterns, these were done using thethe print to adhere to. The following step is where
water transfer printing process in almost all cases.the actual printing magic begins. The PVA film with
Many equipment manufacturers are using this processthe pattern of choice is floated on the surface of
in house as part of their production line. ATV's, trailwater heated to 31 degrees C. At a prescribed time
bikes, and personal watercraft are other areas ofinterval the film has begun to dissolve in the water
sporting equipment taking advantage of thisbut still retains enough elasticity to hold the printed
technology. There are smaller categories and subink in the original pattern. At this precise moment an
categories of manufacturers using the process andink activator is carefully sprayed on the surface of
the possibilities are endless but the real interestingthe ink which softens it enough to make it stick to
note to all of this is that you can have the exactthe object being printed. The object is slowly passed
same process the manufacturers are using done onthrough the ink-film layer floating on the water and
your existing equipment to upgrade, update, orthe pressure from the water closing in around the
simply change and customize the look of yourobject forces the ink onto the painted surface of the
equipment to set you apart from the crowd.object. Once the object is submersed, any remaining
Water transfer printing is accomplished using a PVAink will not stick to the wet surface so the object
or polyvinyl alcohol film which has excellent adhesivecan be removed with no worries or overlapping the
properties, is nontoxic, odorless, and excellentprint. Residual PVA film is thoroughly washed from
emulsifying properties, which means it easily dissolvesthe object using heated clear water until all that
in water. An ink pattern is printed on the flat filmremains is the ink itself. The object is allowed to dry,
using rolling drums similar to printing a newspaper orinspected for flaws in the print, and touched up with
other print media. The repeating pattern can look likean airbrush if needed. The final step is spraying the
wood, metal, camouflage, carbon fiber, or prettyobject with two coats of UV protected urethane
much anything your imagination can dream up. Theclear coat paint exactly as used on new automotive
finished film is rolled onto drums and ready for use.finishes. This final finish can be high gloss, low gloss,
Preparation of the object to be printed is a majoror flat finish, depending on the customers desires. All
part of the process to insure correct adhesion and amaintain the same durability and UV protection to
flawless finish. Depending on the material, whether itgive many years of service to the finish.