Water Transfer Printing

[currifa]

Does anyone know of a place on the Gulf Coast that does water transfer printing? I am wanting to get a gun dipped in a Kryptek camo pattern.

 

[Savage]

TGD firearms on Barrancas Ave in Pcola

 

[7.62x39]

+1 on TGD

 

[currifa]

Thanks for the info. Im going to give them a call.

 

[Droshki]

So, I saw an ad for this, and wondered how durable it was. Does it lift or peel ever? Or more so, it seems that only ink is transferred. But still, what bonds it on?

 

[currifa]

In the water transfer printing process, the substrate piece to be printed is pre-treated and a base coat material is applied. A polyvinyl alcohol film is gravure-printed with the graphic image to be transferred, and is then floated on the surface of a vat of water An activator chemical is sprayed on the film to dissolve it into a liquid and activate a bonding agent. The piece is then lowered into the vat, through the floating ink layer, which wraps around and adheres to it. After removing the piece from the water, a top coat is applied to protect the design. With multiple dippings, hydrographics printing can achieve full 360° coverage of the part surface, including small crevices.

 

[Droshki]

Well, OK, base coat and top coat answer the adhesion and durability questions, but what about the seam, there must be a seam where the ink meest itself? For example, I saw then doing a gun with a Mossy Oak pattern and the plunged it in and the pattern went on the left side of the gun, and then the top and bottom, and then they rolled the gun...and...I dont know, maybe I need to watch some more videos!

 

[currifa]

Droshki, I would like to see how its done myself. I have read up on the process and watched videos but still would like to see how its done in person..

 

[Droshki]

This one is interesting



But it seems that for 3D objects you need a pattern that wont show where the overlap (ie random pattern) will be from the second dip (that needs to be done after this one, note the uncovered part)

 

[DMCharginghandles]

Yes there is a seam. This is a Remington R25 in mossy oak treestand.





That 3 years of light hunting wear, The metal parts are holding up well, The plastic I don't know if Remington base coat right or what, but it will come of with your fingernails.

David

 

[TraderDan]

That is the strangest thing to see. Almost magical.

 

[bcp280z]

If it helps, TGD let me run my knife across some dipped plastic. Its good stuff. Prob best bet for patterns.

 

[HEIST]

I want my pistol slide and my shotgun done to match but I cant decide on a pattern.

 

[bcp280z]

Various camo, dripping blood, lightning, tons of badass ideas. I just need the proper guns for each.

 

[Droshki]

If it helps, TGD let me run my knife across some dipped plastic. Its good stuff. Prob best bet for patterns.

Wish I could have been there to see that.