Ceramic Laser Toner Decal Success
Eat Crow decal side view
This is one of those processes that I have been dying to try, I don’t know why I didn’t do this earlier. I think it may be because it seemed so complicated and to be honest, it required the purchase of a laser printer. This bowl has been waiting ever so patiently on a shelf in my studio for at least 2 months now for bit of embellishment. Last Thursday, I decided to do the test firing because I plan to add decals to Jean’s custom box and I don’t want to screw it up.
Why “eat crow“? I’m eating a piece of my own humble pie right now and, well, I think a lot of people can identify with the phrase. Haven’t we all made mistakes in our lifetimes that we’d rather forget? This is a not so subtle reminder not to make those same mistakes again.
Eat Crow decal on interior of bowl
There’s always a bit of planning and research (for me at least) before I can jump into a project. I always get frustrated with my husband because he doesn’t read the instructions and then gets irritated and grumpy when things aren’t working. But, I found a ton of great information on ceramic decal firing including from Paul Wandless’ book, Image Transfer on Clay, Justin Rothshank’s website, Linda Arbuckle’s website and also fellow Etsy Mud Team member, Keith Phillip’s blog.
Colorado Art Studio Bar Code decal
So, after reading and reading and reading some more, I did it. I finally took the time to print a page of decals and used a few pots for test firings. I found that the simpler image of the “Eat Crow” decal printed clearer than the water lily or bar code. The bar code began to disintegrate a bit in places, so I’m not sure it will actually scan. It is on the bottom of the pot and was fired upside down – not sure if that makes sense or a difference.
Here are some photos of “how to apply a decal”:
So, I took everyone’s advice and fired the kiln slow at ^04 since I the glazes are ^6. Here are a few highlights from my firing log – wish I had taken photos (maybe next time). I used a small manual AIM 88T test kiln with kiln sitter – the temperature goes from low 1-8 to high. I followed the firing instructions on Linda Arbuckle’s ceramic decal handout available on her site – she recommends leaving the lid cracked until the kiln reaches red heat and I left the peep open for the entire firing.
- 6:30 am started the firing on low, lid cracked.
- 8:30 am lid cracked, moved temp to 2 – decal is beginning to burn off and it’s turning brown around the edges.
- 10:30 am lid cracked, moved temp to 4
- 11:30 am I couldn’t help peeking an hour early – the decal is completely black and I can barely see the image – a slight panic sets in
- 12:30 pm moved temp to 6 and closed the lid – the kiln is glowing red – the decal cover coat must be almost burned off, I can see the image clearly and the black is practically not visible anymore.
- 1:30 pm moved temp to 8 – just waiting…
- 2:30 pm – eek – the kiln is off and the electricity to my garage is off – the circuit breaker must have blown. That’s never happened during a firing before. The Aim kiln is a 120 volt and I had my space heater plugged into the same outlet – doh. Unplugged heater, reset circuit breaker. Luckily the kiln is pretty hot – so I just turned it back on at the temp where it was before.
- 3:30 pm moved temp to High.
- Kiln turned off around 4:30 pm. Normally the kiln wouldn’t take quite as long, but the tripped breaker added some time.
- Next morning at 6:00 am, I opened the cool to the touch kiln and smiled a big smile!
I’ve tried scratching the decals off – the iron oxide decal is truly fused to the glaze. I haven’t run these through the dishwasher yet, but it’s on my agenda.
So, there you have it in a nutshell. I have a full day today and must run – I’m going to a in house plate/platter workshop at the Colorado Potters Guild and am taking my daughter to see Coraline this afternoon. Forgive my typos – no time to edit….
Have a good Sunday,
~Cynthia
Robert Lorenz
February 22, 2009 at 10:40 am //
Congratulations on the success with the decals. They look great; I love the “eat crow” bowl. Are these decals supposed to be food safe? I know you said they would not scratch off, but would they be safe for dinner ware?
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 1:50 pm //
Hey Robert – decals are food safe, the only thing that remains after firing is iron oxide which you probably already know is a glaze ingredient. I think the key too these is firing them at the correct temp for the glaze/clay cone your work has been fired to so that the decal fuses into the glaze. So food safe, yes – I do wonder about durability with utensils so I would be cautious with plates and other types of functional work where cutting and scraping of knifes would leave scratches. Next time I run the dishwasher, these two pieces are included and I’ll try running a knife over them too.
Eva
February 22, 2009 at 11:24 am //
This posting has given me a new idea for a photo transfer experiment on cloth. Not using a kiln, of course.
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 1:52 pm //
I’ve printed photos onto fabric using Bubble Jet Set, Eva – runs right through a printer.
Michele Davis
February 22, 2009 at 12:04 pm //
Holy magnolia, I can’t wait to try this. Your bowls came out fantastic. Great job.
Beautiful!!
xxx
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 1:53 pm //
denise
February 22, 2009 at 1:46 pm //
These look great. I really love the eat crow decal on the bowl. Nice.
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 1:54 pm //
Thanks Denise – I think the simplicity of the decal makes it a bit more successful than the more detailed water lily.
Mary T.
February 22, 2009 at 3:05 pm //
The scanner decal started to come apart, but it still look pretty good. I wonder if the smaller ones just fall apart because they are smaller? Haven’t a clue, but neat experiments. I’m doing experimenting with the scratch board too. It is a week for experimenting.
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 1:55 pm //
I think it was partly due to the finer lines and possibly the firing/glaze on the bar code. Scratch board is cool!
Ben Stark
February 22, 2009 at 5:07 pm //
Decals look awesome! Came out so much better than my first attempt! I think a slow fire is critical. Still can’t wait to see the finished jewelry box!
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 1:56 pm //
Thanks Ben – I think after I read about your firing experience, I decided to read up on it more. I sure hope it turns out, Ben – I’m a bit nervous….
Lynette
February 22, 2009 at 6:32 pm //
What gorgeous bowls and the decals look great!
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 1:56 pm //
Thanks Lynette
ang
February 22, 2009 at 6:42 pm //
eat crow… what a beautiful simple piece…nice work cynthia..
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 7:44 pm //
Thanks Ang – I like the process but need to experiment a bit more.
Linda Starr
February 22, 2009 at 8:37 pm //
No crow for your to eat here, your decals look great.
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 7:45 pm //
A day later, I am eating a bit of crow.
LB
February 22, 2009 at 11:57 pm //
Cute!! I have some dinnerware from Crate&Barrel that has something like that. There are small pictures of a fork twirling a piece of spaghetti on the pasta dish, a sunshine on the inside of the coffee mug, etc… I really need the whole set, but I will need to seriously hunt down the pieces i don’t have!
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 7:47 pm //
I’m a big fan of Crate & Barrel, Diana!!
Cynthia
February 23, 2009 at 7:04 am //
Thanks for the comments everyone! I will respond more thoroughly later on today – I’m subbing this morning and am away from my computer.
Undaunted
February 25, 2009 at 12:57 am //
Wow, they turned out great!
I think the bar code looks pretty cool as a signature even if it won’t scan!
andrea
March 2, 2009 at 8:15 pm //
Brilliant! Really made me smile and it’s so contemporary looking.