I am making a couple simple step-stools for the neighbor’s grandchildren. I would like to print their names and some clip art on Avery clear Inkjet labels, put the labels on the stools and top them with a few coats of Minwax polyurethane. I am concerned about possible conflicts between the finish and the labels. I intend to make some trials but was wondering if anyone had experience along these lines.
Thanks in advance for any advice/comments, George
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. – Michael Pritchard <!—-><!—-> <!—->
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Replies
George,
The solvents in the finish may cause a problem with the glue on the labels. You may need to find a clear label that is not adhesive, and merely "glue" it down with the finish of your choice, then topcoat again.
Good luck,
Lee
Try this on scrap first. print something at the highest saturation you can set your printer for. Tape the paper with the printed side against the wood surface, and run an iron over it set to the cotton heat. The ink may transfer. I know laser printer ink will transfer from the paper to the wood, enough to transfer patterns for scroll sawing. Not sure on the ink jet, but I would try it.
Alternatively, I think the T-shirt transfer printer paper could be used to transfer the image onto the wood, and then be sealed with a finish. Not certain it would work, but definitely worth trying. Avery, HP, Epson, and others make it for about $15 per ten pack. If it does work, I think you would get really good saturation, and image quality.
I have read that it works better to print in "mirror image" if your printer has the option, then place the graphic face down and iron it in.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
the reverse image option works, but only if you have a laser printer. with 26 yrs of working in data processing behind me, laser printer ink is bound to the paper with heat. the "ink" is basically a powder that is liquified by the heat roller, then cooled a bit. if you take something thas has been printed that way, and transferred it using an iron, you are reheating the ink, and it is binding to the other surface. you cannot do this with inkjet print, because the ink is a liquid.
"you cannot do this with inkjet print, because the ink is a liquid."
The transfer paper I was talking about is coated with something that seems like a very fine plastic powder. The inkjet ink is captured by the powder. The iron melts the plastic powder on to your substrate, carrying the inkjet ink with it.
A fresh photocopy works too, if you only have an inkjet.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Well, I've done it. See attached. I didn't see any sign of a conflict between the label and the finish. However, Avery "clear" Inkjet labels are not really clear. They are kind of milky. You can see the grain through them but you still definitely see the label. Still they did the job. Holly and Zachary will be able to tell which stool is theirs.
The iron-on concept sounds interesting. It might be worth trying in the future.
Thanks again for all the advice and comments. GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->
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A little late to the game, but here's an old surfboard builder's trick:Print the label on rice paper. Place the paper on the object, and cover with spar varnish. The rice paper is then almost invisible under the varnish...
George -
I've never tried the clear labels, but I've used rubber cement to attach a business card to a piece (in a hidden location) before applying the finish and that works quite well.
You can buy "transfer paper" for your inkjet printer. You print on to the paper, then put it face down on the wood, and use a clothes iron to transfer the image to the wood. This stuff is intended to make custom tee-shirts, but works on other substrates too. Check at your local office-supplies place, or in the on-line stores.
Make a decal. Go to a hobby shop and buy decal paper for the computer, and a can of decal sealer. Print your artwork on the decal paper. After it dries you spray the decal with the decal sealer-several light coats are better than a heavy coat.
Put a few coats of finish on your project (decals work better over gloss surfaces) apply the decal, and put you final coats of finish over the decal. The top coats can be gloss, satin, or dullcoat.
John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
Thanks John. I wasn't aware of decal paper. Amazon.com has clear Inkjet decal paper. That may be the way to go if I need to do something like this again.
GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->
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Frankly, I think you will do a good job, but you better use special tools for that. Speaking about labels you can use a printer for labels and the most important thing is label tape. Because we are speaking about kids this label need to be durable for scratches. You probably will need a laminated tape with a good adhesive. I found a good one here http://www.mrdepot.ca/ this label tape can stick on any surface and it is perfect for everyday use. This can fit perfect all your needs and I think it will make your job a little bit easier
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