Waterslide decal paper is a special transparent transfer paper that is useful for transferring images and text to any smooth surface. Very fine prints are also possible. It is commonly found in the craft field, whether for commercial or DIY use.
Unlike in the past, the advent of printable decal paper for color inkjet and laser printers has made it possible for hobbyists to create custom decals.
But is finding the right decal printer for you stressful? Are the questions in your mind left confused? Whether you enjoy DIY as a hobby or are self-employed, this article will be your savior.
What is decal paper?
Table of Contents
In addition to using high-quality decal paper, it is also important to use a compatible printer. Water-based decal paper comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is a transparent paper designed to apply images, text, or patterns to a smooth surface.
The result is an extremely detailed print that is second to none for craftsmen, artists, and hobbyists. Lamination reduces the risk of damage to the watercolor.
Watercolor decal sheets are designed on inkjet printers. They are called slip decals or struck water decals. They are used because the decal paper applied to the surface can be transferred to the remainder of the decal sheet.
The residue of the decal sheet contains glucose, which is the sugar content of corn. Few companies make decal paper for users. However, it is recommended that you use high-quality decal paper to achieve the best results for your artwork.
Best Printer For Waterslide Decals
We know how you feel but fear not because we are going to show you some of the best printers for waterslide decals on the market today and some tips to keep in mind before making your purchase.
Best Printer For Waterslide Decals | Comparison Table 2022
| Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP ENVY 6055e All-in-One Wireless Color Printer, with bonus 6 months free Instant Ink with HP+ (223N1A) | HP | Check Price | |
| Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Color Inkjet Printer with Mobile and Tablet Printing, Black, 2.6 | Canon | Check Price | |
| Epson EcoTank ET-3760 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier and Ethernet, Regular | Epson | Check Price | |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer with bonus 6 free months Instant Ink with HP+ (1K7K3A) | HP | Check Price | |
| WorkForce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer with Copy, Scan, Fax, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready | Epson | Check Price | |
| HP Envy 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, HP Instant Ink & Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready (M2U85A) (Renewed) | HP | Check Price | |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2750 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier and Ethernet, Regular | Epson | Check Price | |
| Canon Pixma Pro-100 Wireless Color Professional Inkjet Printer with Airprint and Mobile Device Printing | Canon | Check Price | |
| Epson Stylus Photo R2000 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer (C11CB35201) | Epson | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Printer For Waterslide Decals | Products Overview
1. HP ENVY 6055e
- BEST FOR BUSY FAMILIES – Print documents, borderless photos, homework and creative projects
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, automatic 2-sided printing, borderless photos, mobile and wireless printing
- HP+ SMART PRINTING SYSTEM – The optional HP+ system enables your printer to think ahead so its more secure, more productive and ready when you are. Requires an HP account, internet connection and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer
- 6 FREE MONTHS OF INSTANT INK & AN EXTRA YEAR OF HP WARRANTY – when you activate optional HP+ and Instant Ink when setting up your printer. Only with HP+
- EASY SETUP – Get started fast on any device with the HP Smart app that guides you step by step
- CONNECT THE WHOLE FAMILY – Easily connect everyone from virtually any device. Self-healing Wi-FiTM helps keep you connected and reduces interruptions
- HP SMART APP – Print, scan and copy from your phone—whenever, wherever. Get advanced features for 24 months with HP+
- PRINT FROM THE CLOUD – Print and scan to and from your cloud accounts like Dropbox and Google Drive in a few taps
- INK DELIVERED BEFORE YOU RUN OUT – Never run out of ink with an optional Instant Ink subscription. Try free for 6 months with HP+. Credit card required; change or cancel anytime
2. Canon Pixma MG3620
- Mobile device printing: Easily print from your iPhone, iPad, Android or tablet
- Quick and easy wireless setup
- Powerful printing options: Airprint, Google Cloud Print, NFC, Mopria and Canon Print
- Compact and space-saving design
- Print on both sides of the page with auto 2-sided print
- Form factor: Print, copy, scan
- Max print speed color: 16
- Max print speed black white: 9.9
- Connectivity technology: Wi-Fi
3. Epson EcoTank ET-3760
- Your busy office needs a printer that’s fast, affordable, easy to use, and has great features. That’s why we developed the EcoTank ET-3760 – an innovative cartridge-free solution that uses high-capacity, easily refillable ink tanks. So you’ll worry less about running out of ink, and save a lot on replacement ink (1). The ET-3760 features an auto document feeder, fast printing with outstanding print quality, productive paper handling, a high-resolution flatbed scanner, and a large color display – making it the perfect printer for your home office.
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges1 – that’s enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (2), equivalent to about 90 individual ink cartridges (3)
- Stress-Free Printing — Up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) – and with every replacement ink set – for fewer out of ink frustrations
- Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
- Impressive Print Quality ― Unique PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology and Claria ET pigment black ink produce extremely sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
- Robust Paper Handling ― Auto Document Feeder, paper-saving auto 2-sided printing and a 250-sheet paper tray for high productivity
- Built-in Scanner and Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a 2.4 color display for easy document copying and navigation
- Modern Connectivity ― Features Ethernet and wireless, plus hands-free voice-activated printing (5). Easily print from your smart device (6) with the intuitive Epson Smart Panel App (7)
4. HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e
- 6 FREE MONTHS OF INSTANT INK with HP+ – Print up to 700 pages a month. Ink ships to you automatically so you never run out. After 6 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled, and youll save up to 50% on ink.
- HP+ SMART PRINTING SYSTEM – HP+ makes your printer Smarter with advanced features that make it easy to print from any device or app. Requires an HP account, internet connection and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND HOME OFFICES – Print professional-quality color documents like forms, reports, brochures and presentations
- KEY FEATURES – Fast color print, copy, scan and fax, plus 2-sided printing, mobile and wireless printing, and an auto document feeder
- FAST PRINT SPEEDS – Print up to 20 pages per minute in black and 10 pages per minute in color
- DUAL BAND WI-FI – Self-healing Wi-FiTM automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- HP SMART APP – Print, scan and copy from your phone—from anywhere. Get advanced features for 24 months with HP+.
- SECURITY ESSENTIALS – Protect sensitive data with basic encryption, password protection, Wi-Fi security and document protection. Get enhanced cloud-based security features with HP+.
5. Epson WorkForce WF-7710
- Storage Dimensions: 22.3 W x 19.1 D x 13.4 H
- Epson all-in-one printer can print, scan, copy and fax
- PrecisionCore technology lets you create borderless prints up to 13 x 19 in size
- 250-sheet paper tray can also hold up to 20 sheets of photo paper or 10 envelopes
- Automatic 2-sided print speeds of 8.7 ppm (ISO) in black and 6 ppm (ISO) in color
- 4.3 color touch screen
- Wireless printing and networking from iPad, iPhone, Android tablets and smartphones
6. HP Envy 5055 Wireless
- Brand New All in one wireless printer upgrade for 2018 - Replaces the HP ENVY 4520. Now with Bluetooth smart, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, faster Print speeds & more
- Step up and create projects at home Print, scan, and copy borderless, high-quality photos and documents with crisp, sharp text using this versatile all-in-one printer
- HP instant ink: Ink ordered by your printer and delivered to your door So youll never run out. First 2 months Free, monthly plans start at just $2. 99/MO. After that. Print photos for less than 5 cents (on 100 page plan) and recycle used cartridges for free
- Stay connected, no matter what whether connecting to your network or your mobile device, reliable dual band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart deliver a stable connection for steady performance
7. Epson EcoTank ET-2750
- Epson strongly recommends the use of Genuine Epson inks for a quality printing experience. Non Epson inks and inks not formulated for your specific printer may cause damage that is not covered by the Epson warranty.
- Cartridge-free printing — Comes with upto 2 years of ink in the box (1)
- Includes enough ink to print upto 6,500 pages black/5,200 color (2) — Equivalent to about 30 ink cartridge sets (3)
- Save upto 80 percent on ink with low-cost replacement bottles (4) — plus easy-to-fill, supersized ink tanks. Operating Systems - Windows 10, 8, 8.1 (32-bit, 64-bit), 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Mac OS X 10.6 – Mac OS 10.12.x10
- Easy wireless — Easily print from iPad, iPhone, Android tablets and smartphones (5); Includes Wi-Fi Direct (6)
- Auto 2-sided printing — Save upto 50 percent of your paper supply. Maximum Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi
- Genuine Epson Ink for Genuine Epson Quality― Epson strongly recommends the use of genuine ink to ensure optimal print quality and performance. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
8. Canon Pixma Pro-100
- 8 Dye based inks for amazing gradients and color, 3 of which are dedicated grayscale inks for beautiful black & white prints
- The Optimum Image Generating System reproduces colors as you intend them by logically selecting the optimum ink combination and placement. Output tray capacity auto sheet feeder: 150 sheets of plain paper; 20 sheets photo paper (4x6); 10 sheets (letter/8x10); 1 sheet (A3). Manual feeder: 1 sheet of photo paper (all sizes)
- Compatible with individual CLI 42 ink tanks (Black, gray, light gray, cyan, photo cyan, magenta, photo magenta, yellow). Save even more on value packs. Only replace the inks that run out
- 4800 x 2400 dots per inch with fine technology for incredible detail. Print your vision up to 13 inches x 19 inches: Print professional quality photos on various media up to 13 inches x 19 inches
- Weight: 43.2 in bullet point. Number of nozzles: 6,144. Number of nozzles: 768 per color 6144 total
9. Epson Stylus Photo R2000
- Industry-leading pigment ink technology - Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 pigment ink for colorful, vibrant prints
- Individual, larger ink cartridges - change cartridges less often and get up to 50% more prints2
- Professional media versatility - accommodates cut-sheet and roll paper in sizes up to 13 wide
- Unparalleled connectivity - Hi-Speed USB 2.0, wireless 802.11n and 100 Mbit Ethernet support
- Auto-selecting Black inks:Achieve optimal black density & superior contrast on glossy,matte/fine artpapers from either Matte/Photo Black ink
- Beautiful skin tones and a smooth, glossy finish
- Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 pigment ink for beautiful skin tones and a smooth, glossy finish
- Industry-leading pigment ink technology - Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 pigment ink for colorful, vibrantprints, beautiful skin tones
- Professional media versatility - accommodates cut-sheet and roll paper in sizes up to 13 wide, and a smooth, glossy finish
- Support sphotographic and fine art paper, canvas, 1.3 mm thick board and ink jet printable CD/DVDs
Water-based Decal Printer | Detailed Buying Guide 2022
When choosing the best printer for water-based seals, you know that not all printers are the same. Each has its own features and specifications. Here are some tips for choosing a water decal printer.
Customer Needs
This is the first thing to consider before making a purchase. If your decal printing needs are only occasional, we recommend sticking with a local store to do the job.
It makes no sense to spend extra money on features you don’t need. The more sophisticated the functionality, the more expensive it is and the higher the maintenance and running costs.
Therefore, if you need it for regular use, whether for pleasure or work, only then should you decide to purchase it.
Printing speed:
For water-based decals, printer speed is critical. You need a machine that can get the job done quickly. You don’t want it to break down or stop working in the middle of a job. This is annoying.
It depends on the amount of work. If your needs are high, you need a reliable device. But you may have to invest in a slightly more expensive machine. However, buying a cheap printer can slow down your work.
Resolution:
The resolution of a water-based decal printer is the most important part of any machine. Having a high-performance unit is a great advantage for the cause. Using a high resolution can greatly improve the detail of a decal.
With a printer, you can print text at a resolution of 1200×1200 dpi. For medium-sized images, a resolution of 4800×1200 dpi can be used to achieve the desired effect for the artwork.
Paper Support:
The printer must have sufficient paper support. In addition, it should be able to support a variety of print media types and sizes. Indeed, if you are going to have your document designed using a variety of sizes, it must be able to do so.
This may be the case if you are a professional decal designer and want to have great images. The type of printer should be able to handle at least medium to high volume paper.
Budget :
The price of the printer you are considering is also important. You may think that a special machine is the only way to go because it has top-notch specs. Additionally, you can take advantage of the operations it offers.
It also costs a little more in terms of features. However, a mid-priced machine can get the job done effectively. However, it depends on the type of workload, resolution, and configuration that the user requires.
Quality, functionality, and specifications
Make sure the target device supports printing on decal paper. It is always wise to choose a model that can handle a variety of paper sizes to reduce paper waste for small print runs. The higher the resolution, the finer and more vibrant the results will be.
It makes no sense to choose a printer with a very fast print speed when your printing needs are only occasional and personal. Choose a decent speed and do not compromise quality.
You can choose between inkjet and laser printers, but color laser printers are too expensive. Inkjet printers are probably the best choice for all needs, whether color or monochrome.
Reviews and Ratings
It is always a good idea to research before you buy, check its specifications, and understand its performance. The best sources of information are customer ratings and reviews to learn about the pros and cons of a product.
Once you identify the pros and cons, you can confidently choose the best water seal printer. Studying reviews can also help you spot flaws and defects, and if they are essential, you can avoid that model.
Maintenance Costs
Finally, appliances must be within budget and cost-effective. You should be able to get the best product at the least cost. In addition, water slide decal paper will increase costs due to ink changes and increased power consumption.
Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the paper and ink for the target model are readily available and inexpensive. Machines with energy-saving features are always a plus. Also, check for maintenance and services offered by suppliers and other sources.
FAQs about the best printers for water decals
What kind of printer do I need to make water decals?
To print decals, an inkjet printer must be used. They give a great job. However, users have told us that inkjet printers are sometimes very convenient. So you need to make sure that the printer you choose can meet your needs.
To do this, you need to check if the inkjet printer supports the appropriate paper size, if it supports water-based decal designs, and if it is durable enough. Decal printers are affordable, but if handled with care, some can last 10 years or more.
Can any printer print decals?
We found that the Epson WorkForce WF-7710 printer can handle water-based decals without any problems. Of course, the other printers on our list are exceptional.
To be able to print decals effortlessly, you will need a compatible PC or smartphone.
Often, users tend not to check the compatibility of their PCs or smartphones with their printers. This results in unnecessary problems and confusion. Printers on the market are designed to work with most operating systems and smartphones, but it is best to check.
How do I print water-based decals?
It is also important to know how to best print decals on your printer. Printing decals is not a difficult process. First, you need to make sure that your watercolor paper is set to a high print quality photo paper print setting.
It is also important to print on paper. Therefore, make sure that the printing paper used for watercolor decals is of good quality. After printing on water decal paper, it is best to wait 5 minutes before allowing it to dry before proceeding to the next step.
How can I protect my watercolor decals?
It is also important to protect watercolor stickers so that they do not lose their quality. Decals and surfaces can be spray-coated. Accuracy is a must. It is best to use a reliable sprayer, as it is not worth taking unnecessary risks.
The coating spray must not contain very aggressive chemicals. Otherwise, problems with the decal may occur. It is best to apply a thin coat at first, let it dry, and then reapply several times.
Is the best water-based decal printer worth the price?
As I said earlier, it would be much easier if any printer could print these wonderful decals. Unfortunately, this is not true. It takes some commitment to purchase the best decal printer.
If you run a small business or a company whose livelihood depends on it, we recommend that you purchase the printer described in the above article. This will allow you to use the decals without any loss whatsoever.
Conclusion.
In this article, we will recommend water-based decal printers to eliminate any doubts you may have when purchasing a water-based decal printer.
We hope that by considering these examples and a few pointers, your purchase quest will be easier than it was a few minutes ago.
Whatever the reason for your purchase, business or personal, you can finally dip your feet into the printer pool and start creating!
Leave a Reply