How to Make Decals with An Inkjet Printer?

Kyle Adam
Kyle Adam
Founder at - Printers Guider

Kyle Adam is a printer technician and the founder of this site. After completing his graduation in Computer Science and Engineering, he started work for...Read more

Imagine making decals for your walls, windows, laptops, computers, and cars. It seems like a very tiring process, right? Making your decals is easier if you have an inkjet printer.

All you need is to get a quality waterslide decal transfer paper, some photo editing skills, and knowledge of proper printer settings. First, make the design of your decal using photo editing software (Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop) then simply print the design using the inkjet printer.

Sounds easy, right? If not, then stick with us. We will provide a thorough tutorial from scratch on how to make decals with an inkjet printer? So, read on!

What is a Decal?

In layman’s terms, a decal is a type of sticker with which you can transfer its print on other materials. Remember the tattoos we used to get as kids with bubble gums? Those were decals.

What is a Decal

Decals are intended for long-term outdoor use and come with a cover sheet. So, they will be transferred from one sheet/medium to another when applied.

One can use decals in various places. Nowadays, it has a massive demand in the automobile market. Especially if you are a biker, and you are very passionate about modding your bike’s aesthetics, decals are a go-to.

Is It Possible to Make Decals with An Inkjet Printer at Home?

It is possible to make decals at home. All you need is an inkjet printer and other widely available tools.

However, you need to have some essential graphics editing software skills. It allows you to create the digital file of the decals.

Materials Required for Printing Decals on Inkjet Printers

The things which you will need for printing decals on inkjet papers are pretty handy. They are available in almost all stationery shops. If you cannot find them, you can order online. The required materials for printing decals on inkjet papers are:

  • Inkjet printer
  • Decal paper
  • Decal sealing spray
  • Transparent Plasticware (with lid)
  • MS PowerPoint (or any other graphics editing software)
  • Decal solution (microset, microsol)
  • Stationeries: scissors, tweezers, hobby knife, paper, tape, etc.

How to Make Decals with An Inkjet Printer—Step-by-Step Guide

The first few steps are the most crucial ones. Make sure to follow them properly, or their proceeding steps will not be pristine.

How to Make Decals with An Inkjet Printer

Step 1: Make the Digital Sticker

If you already have a ready-made picture that you want to print out as a sticker, that’s great. But if the photo needs cutting or editing, you may want to use Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop.

Make the Digital Sticker to Make Decals with Inkjet Printer

In the adobe suite, you can use the lasso tool to cut out the picture. Then you need to export it as a .png file and create multiple copies on the PowerPoint canvas.

Or, you can even use different pictures on one canvas. Even one picture will suffice if it meets your needs. Since you are using PowerPoint, you should print the file at 8.5” x 5.5”.

Step 2: Insert the Paper into Inkjet Printer

There are multiple types of paper you can use. Let’s assume you are using regular decal paper. Point the glossy side upside down and insert it inside the paper tray.

Insert the Paper in Inkjet Printer

Step 3: Print the File

Press Ctrl+p on your PowerPoint while the canvas is open. Then, change the settings to “best quality” (if you wish) and “glossy paper” or “photo paper”. Then proceed to print it.

How to Print the File with An Inkjet Printer

Step 4: Spray the Printed File With Decal Spray

Gently apply a few drops of decal spray on the top side of your printed paper. Could you not make it too wet? It will be damaged if you do so.

Spray the Printed File With Decal Spray

Step 5: Cut the Decals with scissors

Use scissors to cut the decals. There is no separate rule on how to cut them. Use your preferences and creativity.

How to Cut the Decals with a Scissor

What Type of Papers Should You Use for Printing Decals on Inkjet Printers?

Printing on decals requires a different type of paper than printing on standard paper. You can use numerous paper types to make decals on your inkjet printer.

Among them, regular sticker paper and decal paper are the most common. Here is a list of the best papers you can use to print decals using an inkjet printer:

  • Sticker paper or Decal Paper
  • TownStix Printable White Sticker paper
  • Avery Printable Sticker Paper for Inkjet Printers
  • Limia’s Care Printable Vinyl Sticker Paper for Inkjet Printer
  • Dotac Printable Clear Sticker paper
  • WeLiu Printable Sticker paper for your Inkjet Printer
  • ZICOTO Premium Printable Vinyl
  • iLable 8.5” x 11” Full Sheet
  • JOYEZA Premium Printable Vinyl
  • Koala Printable Glossy Sticker
  • Neato Clear Sticker paper – Vinyl Full Sheet Label

Get to know the difference Between: Printable Vinyl Vs. Sticker Paper

Some Tips To Follow Making Decals With Inkjet Printer

While there are so many methods you can follow to print decals with an inkjet printer, there are still some essential things you should ensure.

First, make sure you are using the correct papers. Apart from regular decal papers, you can use TownStix Printable White Sticker paper, Dotac Printable Clear Sticker paper, or ZICOTO Premium Printable Vinyl.

Then, learn some basic techniques on graphics designing software, such as the Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.). It will give you extra benefit in designing your decals.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some facts regarding printing decals with inkjet printers:

Can Regular Printers Use Decal Paper?

You don’t need a particular sticker printer because an ordinary inkjet printer will suffice. But you should prepare ahead to prevent wasting ink or inkjet sticker paper.

Now you might be thinking if you could use a laser printer to make decals. Well, the answer is a yes! Just be sure you use the proper sticker paper for the task.

What Kind of Printers Can Make Decals?

Both kinds of printers, an inkjet or a laser, can print decals. Just make sure you also have a few other materials besides your printer. These materials include decal papers, decal sealing spray, plasticware, etc.

Are Inkjet Printers Better for Stickers than Laser Printers?

Inkjet printers are better for stickers and decals than laser printers. Inkjet printers can produce significantly crisper lines, making them ideal for text, logos, stickers, and decals.

However, laser printers can also easily print decals. They are no less efficient than inkjet printers.

How Can I Print My Own Decals?

You can create your decals at home with a few essential pieces of equipment.

First, print your stickers onto vinyl printer paper after designing them on the computer with image editing software. Then, laminate your stickers to protect them from water and the sun’s UV rays.

What Paper is Good for Decals?

Inkjet printable vinyl paper is the most durable of the sticker paper types available. It provides a cheap solution for manufacturing vinyl stickers and decals at home.

Vinyl papers are ideal for various decals, including manufacturing labels, bumper decals, laptop decals, water bottle decals, promotional and marketing decals, etc.

Is a Decal Same As a Sticker?

Decals are a type of sticker. So, all decals are stickers, but all stickers are not decals.

They both differ from each other. A traditional sticker is stuck everywhere and is stripped from the backing paper. You can transfer decals from the backing paper to a smooth surface.

Conclusion

That’s a simple step-by-step method for making decals with an inkjet printer. Remember that you may not master this the first time, but you can create perfect decals with practice.

Learning the techniques of sticker printing can save you both time and money. If you have an inkjet printer at home plus if you know how to make decals with an inkjet printer, you can easily print decals with it.

Just make sure you use the right paper for it. A simple glossy paper for stickers should suffice. But, there are other types of papers you can use as well.

Kyle Adam is a printer technician and the founder of this site. After completing his graduation in Computer Science and Engineering, he started work for a renowned printer manufacturing company as a printer technician. Besides his job, he also loves to do research and write about what he is dealing with in his everyday life; Printersguider is the result of that. Kyle created this site to educate those who need a specialized printer but don’t have proper knowledge about it.

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