Thread: Names Applied to Turned Pens

Originally Posted by P Durbin

Does anyone have any experience or ideas for adding names (to personalize a pen)/ I have tried heat transferring of laser printer names....but have not been very successful. Need help on methods (If Any) for adding names to turned wood and/or acrylic pens. Thanks for any help P Durbin

Using decals is one method. Need to select blanks which allow contrasting print. Works OK for me.
Bruce

Or you could look for someone in your part of the world who does what these guys do over here.
http://www.perfectpensandpencils.com...sort=priceDesc

Decals will allow names and photos etc to be put onto pens. As stated you need to make sure the colours contrast or you wont be able to see them. Usually a lighter coloured timber or acrylic blank is better. If you use the water transfer decal paper, spray the paper with clear acrylic top coat car paint (a spray can from Super Cheap Auto) after you have printed the decals on it. That stops the colour running. Apply 2 or 3 coats of CA to the turned blank and then sand it smooth. Apply the decal according to the instructions and allow it to dry. Then spray with blank with 2 - 3 coats of the top coat paint again and allow to dry. This stops the colour being removed from the decal from the heat of the CA drying. Apply the normal number of coats of CA to the blank and finish as normal. The first couple of coats of CA should be applied gently so you dont burn straight through the top coat paint.

Hi
The process for decals was great. I'll give it a go.
just a few things I was unclear about. Let's see if I got thing right ...

1) transfer decal to paper
2) acrylic spray to stop ink running
3) apply 2 coats CA to pen blanks
4) sand CA smooth
5) apply decal to pen and let dry
6) apply 2-3 coats of acrylic spray
7) apply CA coats as normal - make sure slow cure reduced heat

Did I get this right ?

Where do you get Decals from ?

Randal

Goggomobile , you buy the decal paper from suppliersin a4 size then use an inkjet printer to print your decal ,these are like the old water slide transfers so when you have printed what you want ,spray first with clear acrylic from a spray can ,a couple of coats as this will seal the printed side (its water inks) so when you put in a dish of water to loosen the transfer ,the ink wont run .once positioned on the blank and allowed to dry ,you then seal again with thin CA as stated above ,then do your normal CA finish on top of that, will give you a lasting sealed finish . Like all these things a little practice and great results will be your reward cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by Goggomobile

Hi
The process for decals was great. I'll give it a go.
just a few things I was unclear about. Let's see if I got thing right ...

1) transfer decal to paper
2) acrylic spray to stop ink running
3) apply 2 coats CA to pen blanks
4) sand CA smooth
5) apply decal to pen and let dry
6) apply 2-3 coats of acrylic spray
7) apply CA coats as normal - make sure slow cure reduced heat

Did I get this right ?

Where do you get Decals from ?

Randal

That's it. After you print out the decal paper let it cool and spray the paper with the acrylic topcoat before cutting the decals out.

I get my decal paper from http://www.decalpaper.com.au/

Guys

Thanks I think you nailed it.

I'll post some pens in the new year.

Randal