Decal print disaster, what am I doing wrong?

[The Rat]

Testors decal paper, Epson inkjet printer. When they first came out they looked fine, so I set them aside to fully dry.

Came back to this unsightly mess.

[PR19_Kit]

Ooooer, that looks terrible.

I've never used Testor's paper but I do use an Epson printer mostly, and it's never happened to me.

Could the paper have been slightly damp, or got damp maybe? That's just what it looks like.

[kerick]

I print on glossy decal paper and set it on glossy photo paper setting. Works for me.

[The Rat]

I print on glossy decal paper and set it on glossy photo paper setting. Works for me.

Exactly what I did. But... looking at the instructions, (maybe I should have read them first?) it says the settings should be "plain paper, normal quality." So now that I'm back home I'll try that.

[The Rat]

Could the paper have been slightly damp, or got damp maybe? That's just what it looks like.

Nope, only thing damp was the ink.

[The Rat]

Okay, did a second print at the settings suggested in the instructions - no spreading so far. I guess the previous settings dropped too much ink. 

[Spey_Phantom]

i think there are a few things that can cause this:

1. is the decal paper intended for inkjet or laserjet printers?
2. did you use photopaper quality settings (recommended)?
3. was it placed on a level surface to dry?
4. was there dust on the paper (decalpaper should be stored in plastic or a dust free envelope).

another tip i can give you is to spray the decalpaper with a fin layer of clear matt coating before using it.

also: my video tutorial on how to make your own decals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPaVORhJLKk

[The Rat]

i think there are a few things that can cause this:

1. is the decal paper intended for inkjet or laserjet printers?
2. did you use photopaper quality settings (recommended)?
3. was it placed on a level surface to dry?
4. was there dust on the paper (decalpaper should be stored in plastic or a dust free envelope).

another tip i can give you is to spray the decalpaper with a fin layer of clear matt coating before using it.

also: my video tutorial on how to make your own decals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPaVORhJLKk

1. Yes
2. Recommended setting in the instructions is plain paper
3. Yes, top of the printer
4. Fresh out of the plastic bag

I thought about spraying it, might do so on my next try. But the second attempt at the recommended settings is looking ok.

I will certainly have a look. Thanks!

[Dizzyfugu]

I'd suggest to try a printer setting that uses as little ink as possible - the paper seems to gave a strong inherent capillary action that "sucks" the ink from the printed areas into the dry sections. Had this at home (HP printer, Experts' Choice paper, which comes in clear and white, all matt) with High Quality settings, too, or when I later tried to fix the ink with varnish. I now use "Standard Paper, High Quality" setting, and it works fine, but I guess you will have to make experiments with various settings to see how your individual setup works.

[Weaver]

If you spray it with clear varnish, tape it to a firm surface first (I use a sheet of aluminium), otherwise there's a chance it'll curl as it dries.

[Dizzyfugu]

If you spray it with clear varnish, tape it to a firm surface first (I use a sheet of aluminium), otherwise there's a chance it'll curl as it dries.

...what IMHO indicates that you used too much varnish or fixative, because it affected the carrying paper under the decal film. From my experience, a thin "hush" with varnish is enough to fixate the ink. You just have to be careful later when you put the decal into water that it stays afloat at the surface, so that the paper soaks wet only from underneath, while the decal film stays above the surface and dry - at least with the decal paper I use. It becomes wet almost instantaneously, and then I place it quickly on the model and slide the decal film over to the surface. Delicate, but the best method I have found out so far.

[zenrat]

If you spray it with clear varnish, tape it to a firm surface first (I use a sheet of aluminium), otherwise there's a chance it'll curl as it dries.

...what IMHO indicates that you used too much varnish or fixative, because it affected the carrying paper under the decal film. From my experience, a thin "hush" with varnish is enough to fixate the ink. You just have to be careful later when you put the decal into water that it stays afloat at the surface, so that the paper soaks wet only from underneath, while the decal film stays above the surface and dry - at least with the decal paper I use. It becomes wet almost instantaneously, and then I place it quickly on the model and slide the decal film over to the surface. Delicate, but the best method I have found out so far.

Have you tried wetting the transfers on a wet sponge or cloth rather than in a bowl/saucer/whatever?
Strikes me that might be a more controllable way to prevent overwetting.

[Dizzyfugu]

Good suggestion. 

[zenrat]

Thank you.  I can come up with one occasionally.   

[Pellson]

Educational.
I was under the impression that in order for a decal to work, it cannot have any capillary connection to the carrier paper at all, as then it won't leave the paper. And also that the decal itself, whereas only ink or ink plus varnish (or even varnish-ink-varnish) normally isn't water permeable at all.