Underglaze transfers

There are two types of transfers: underglaze transfers, applied to the leather surface; and 3rd fire decals, applied over the already glazed surface using waterslide paper. On this page we will talk about underglaze transfers.

Underglaze transfers are printed using the screen printing process and are subsequently stamped onto the surface of the clay , as already mentioned, in a leathery state . We can cut them out and use them to make compositions or fill in the chosen areas.

These decals can be purchased or we can make our own decals using the screen printing technique. The process is simple: we place our screen printing mesh (or frame) on the paper and use a spoon to add a little ink to one side of the image. Then we hold the mesh over the paper with one hand (so that the mesh doesn't move out of place) and with the other hand we spread the paint using a scraper.

About the paint

- We will have to use a paint with very fine particles, such as underglazes. High-fire paints only work on more open meshes (80M for example). For the vast majority of meshes (even those you buy already engraved) you need to use underglazes.

- The paint to be used must be thick , like cream. Leave it in the air to dry or add a little Mayco AC-310 medium powder. If it's too liquid it will smudge.

- In summer the paint will dry faster than in winter. This causes the mesh to become clogged with dried ink after 2 or 3 prints. To prevent the ink from drying too quickly, we can add a screen printing medium to the ink (Speedball's transparent base, for example); about 1 part medium to 4 parts paint. This medium will make the paint more liquid. We may have to adjust again.

Paper Types

- Newspaper type paper : for application we must moisten the decal with a few splashes of water before applying it (on the back of the paper and not directly on the ink), but we have to wait until the paper loses its shine, otherwise the Excess water will make the drawing smudged. Then we apply the decal and pass it with a rim over the paper to transfer the paint well to the clay. If the clay is too hard, the paint doesn't transfer as easily and we have to insist (we can lift a corner of the decal and confirm that all the paint has come off, if it hasn't, we return the decal and continue applying the kidney). Moistening the paper with a damp sponge may help. But the extra water, whether on the paper or what we add with the sponge, will blur the image (especially if the clay is softer, this water also counts).

- Tissue paper : transferring the image is much easier, as the ink comes off the paper more easily. Industrially made decals are printed on this type of paper .

Recycle the paint

I have a habit of wasting as little material as possible, especially underglazes. When I finish the prints, I clean the meshes, the spoon and the scraper with a damp sponge, which I squeeze into a small container of water, leaving the paint there. I leave this container in the air and the next day the paint rests at the bottom; I drain the water and pour the paint from the bottom into a glass. Even if there is still excess water, after a few days it will evaporate.

This way I don't waste paint, and sometimes I'm surprised by how much material would have gone down the drain if I hadn't used it. Here's a suggestion.

Search suggestions : screen print transfer pottery; underglaze sanbao transfers