Thread: A few dragon labels

Love 'em, Neil! Very fun looking.

Cheers,
Dave

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Gawdelpus (John) gave me the heads up on some clear water decals, so I thought I would give them a try. I love my dragons, so downloaded a few from the net, including one from my old martial arts style Zen Do Kai (the first one - shows dragon symbol, Bushido, Ishoo and Kyunnin crosses).

Would have preferred a black background, but unfortunately clear transfers can't be seen on black, so need the white background. I used etch primer then white acrylic paint on the tubes before attaching the transfers and casting in clear resin.

they look great but it is not clear to me how you did them .. are you prepared to explain?


regards david

You have done a top job well done.
David

Great Job Neil
Cheers Tony

David ! you take a sierra tube or whatever pen kit you are wanting to create .clean the tube and paint with etch primer to allow the white acrylic paint to bond when sprayed on. You need to get some sheets of water slide "Decal " paper .You print direct to this paper on your normal inkjet printer the design you have chosen .The instructions come with the Decals usually . Once you set the decal with some clear acrylic spray it is ready to be applied to the white painted tube , Once its on the tube you then cast it in clear casting acrylic, small amounts are available at places like Bunnings my first lot was "diggers" .
After the cast has cured you then turn and polish as a normal acrylic, The curves in the acrylic tend to magnify the picture or embedded object so they really do look good . Seems a lot of mucking about at first ,but easier than it sounds .hope that helps you understand the process a little better ,its a bit like label casting which has been gone into at length in the "casting " subforum at the top of the page , cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

David ! you take a sierra tube or whatever pen kit you are wanting to create .clean the tube and paint with etch primer to allow the white acrylic paint to bond when sprayed on. You need to get some sheets of water slide "Decal " paper .You print direct to this paper on your normal inkjet printer the design you have chosen .The instructions come with the Decals usually . Once you set the decal with some clear acrylic spray it is ready to be applied to the white painted tube , Once its on the tube you then cast it in clear casting acrylic, small amounts are available at places like Bunnings my first lot was "diggers" .
After the cast has cured you then turn and polish as a normal acrylic, The curves in the acrylic tend to magnify the picture or embedded object so they really do look good . Seems a lot of mucking about at first ,but easier than it sounds .hope that helps you understand the process a little better ,its a bit like label casting which has been gone into at length in the "casting " subforum at the top of the page , cheers ~ John

thanks for the explanation .. i will investigate the "casting" forum a bit more tomorrow ... thanks again


regards david

Thanks John, good explanation, and saved me typing it

Wonderful pens Neil!!!

They look great. My son's Kung Fu club would love them I reckon.

Great pens Neil. As usual, excellent standard.

I'm thinking of doing these so the kids can give to their hockey coaches at the end of the season

Really like the dragons

Originally Posted by robbygard

they look great but it is not clear to me how you did them .. are you prepared to explain?regards david

Some information that may help regarding Water Slide Decals

I too like the look. The yellow and white especially stand out, although it's a bit near to a manufactured type look, of witch I would like to stay away from (not that i have started yet).
Looking around for a good option for printing names on pens I did find this site that might allow you to keep the wood grain and retain the colours of them dragons, although it will probably be muted. i haven't tried it out yet, just got it as a future option .it uses a ink jet printer and two types of glue

matsutake

also if in UK can get the water slide decal for both inkjet and laser paperhere

Print your own decals using your inkjet or laser printer, UK supplier

but they recommend the dry rub off decal paper for wood. all options above will need sealing and dont know if the friction of the spinning could wipe off the image . Up till now I haven't any practical knowledge of any of the papers above as still waiting to get lathe. Just trying to contribute

Originally Posted by munruben

Some information that may help regarding Water Slide Decals

thanks for that ... if anyone also can post a link to the casting forum, which i cannot find with the search, i would appreciate that


i have in mind to make a couple with musical motifs which are not commonly available

regards david