Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful Stuff - Beautiful Results
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2017
This is a detail review with tips on usage. For all the negative posts, I understand and can relate. I will share my tips/tricks to avoid disaster. I had my reservations after reading the reviews, however, I need to transfer about 300 images onto ceramic plates for my nonprofit organization fundraising event to support the victims/survivors of LV shooting and to help raise funds for inner city art programs. This is the best option (cost effective) method. And yes, you've read correctly, I transferred all 300 images onto plates by myself (the plates were donated to us) as you can imagine, I became an expert.
TIPS & TRICKS (this is my personal experience and it works perfectly for me - see image)
1) Mirror your image when printing. Once you have printed your images - you MUST spray fixative (I use Krylon Colormaster Covermax -Clear Satin (non-yellowing). This is the one area you cannot go McFrugal - you have to coat your prints generously. I used 2 fairly heavy coats. Do not go stingy on this stuff. If you use a light coat, the inkjet ink will run and smear your work.
2) After it's dry & cut, the instructions said to soak in water for 30-60 seconds. DO NOT follow instructions. Soak only 15-20 seconds. I've discovered that if I let the transfer soak for 30 seconds, the film become too flimsy and difficult to work with; and if I let it soak for 60 seconds, the film begin to deteriorate and rips easily - hard to handle at this point. I discovered, the sweet time is about 18-seconds. When you put the transfer in water, it curls up and as it begin to unfurl to a taco shell shape, it is ready - normally around 18-seconds mark. (NOTE: shorter time for smaller transfer image. When I transfer the student's name on backside of the plate, the image was about 1.5 inch wide and it only required 10-12 seconds of soaking.)
3) Placing. Take the transfer and placed face down (reason why you want to the mirror your image). With the paper backing still in place, I smooth the transfer. Then I slowly slide the transfer off the surface (do not peel - slide it off). TIPS for NO Air Bubbles: You will discover that the backing leaves behind a slimy residue. At this time, I re-use the backing (with slimy side facing film), I slide it around the images to remove the air bubbles and access water. (I discover, my fingers would stick to the film and cause wrinkles, with using the backing, the film doesn't stick and create a smooth surface).
4) Drying. Let air dry for a few hours. If you need to remove water, dab only with damp paper towel. Do not wipe with dry towel. Instructions says to bake 10-15 minutes in oven at 100-degree or let sit for 1-3 days air dry. I find after 3 days, the film was still tacky. I baked the plates in oven for 20 minutes and it was still tacky. I discovered that if I microwave the plates for 30-seconds per plate on High, it sealed the film perfectly. My microwave is small, so I can only place 3 plates and microwave for 1-1/2 (30 seconds per plate).
Overall, just a few tricks and I think you will enjoy this product. The longest process was selecting, printing, and cutting images. The transfer portion was quick, I did transfer images on both side of the plate (art in front & names on back), I was able to transfer about 2 dozen (24 plates) in about 30 hour - granted I was doing both sides. I would use it again. I've attached images of the plates (showing different art medium use so show the quality and details). Be patient, test before you get too involve with your project. A little playing around goes a long way with this stuff.
