Waterslide decals are a great way to customize all sorts of items! You can buy them pre-printed or create your designs like I did for this project. Today, we’ll show you how to make a custom dog treat holder with waterslide decals. It’s easy and fun, and your dog will love it!
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What are waterslide decals?
Waterslide decals are thin sheets of decal paper that are backed with water-activated adhesive. This adhesive is what allows the decal to be applied to surfaces. They’ve been around for years and have been super popular in the hobby/model world. Crafters have recently taken a liking to them because they are versatile and able to be created with just a few supplies.
Waterslide decals are perfect for customizing dog treat holders because they’re easy to use, and you can create any design you want. Plus, they’ll make your treat holder look unique and stylish.
Supplies you need to make waterslide decals
- Waterslide Paper – There are a number of options for waterslide decal paper but they definitely aren’t all created equal. I was super happy with the quality of Hiipoo Waterslide Decal Paper. The colors printed vibrantly and the adhesive worked perfectly. They have both clear decal paper and white decal paper.
- Inkjet Printer – I may sound like a broken record but I seriously adore the Epson EcoTank ET-8550! The quality of the print is like no other home printer I’ve used (and believe me, I’ve used a ton!) and I love that it prints as large as 13″ x 19″. Plus, since it’s an EcoTank, I don’t have to replace cartridges as frequently.
- Cricut Digital Cutting Machine – depending on the complexity of your waterslide decal design, you may want to leave the trimming to a professional – your Cricut! I used the medium cardstock setting to cut out my decals.
- Cricut Design Space is a great option for different designs you can print onto waterslide paper.
- Looking for the font I used in this project? It’s called “Monica” and I got it from FontBundles.
- Want to design your own water decals from scratch? I’ve used Adobe Illustrator for years and still absolutely love it!
Not sure which Cricut machine you should buy?
Check out this article:
Cricut Maker Vs. Cricut Explore: Everything You Need To Know!
Objects to Add Waterslide Decals To
- Glass jars
- Coffee mugs
- Vases
- Phone cases
- Laptops
- notebooks
- picture frames
- Candles
- The possibilities are endless!
How to make a waterslide decal dog treat holder
- Choose your waterslide decals: The first step is to choose the waterslide decals you want to use. You can find waterslide decals online or at your local craft store. If you can’t find the perfect design, you can always create your own!
- Seal with acrylic coating spray: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply the spray. You’ll be doing three coats of spray, allowing for drying time in between each coat.
- Apply the waterslide decals: Once you’ve chosen your waterslide decals, it’s time to apply them to your dog treat holder. Trim off the excess material, leaving at least 1/4″ around the printed section. Submerge in water for 30 – 60 seconds or until the paper backing slides off easily. Place on the surface and gently wipe away excess water with fingers and paper towels.
- Dry decal: Allow the decal to dry for at least three hours. Depending on the surface material, you may be able to shorten the dry time by placing it in an oven at the temperature of 100-110 °C / 212-230°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Fill your dog treat holder: Now that your waterslide decal dog treat holder is complete, it’s time to fill it with treats! Your dog will love their new custom treat holder, and you’ll love how easy it was to make.
Tips for making your waterslide decal designs
You can always create your waterslide decal designs if you’re feeling creative! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Use a graphic design program like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to create your design.
- Set your printer to the highest quality of inkjet printing.
- If you plan on cutting your design out by hand, keep it simple.
- Use a Cricut machine to cut more complicated designs
- Pressing out as many of the water bubbles as possible will create a stronger adhesive bond.
- Finished waterslide decals can be sealed with epoxy or dishwasher-safe Mod Podge.
- If you’re not planning on sealing the decal, make sure to wash it by hand only.
Waterslide decals are a great way to add a personal touch to any project, and they’re perfect for customizing dog treat holders. You can find waterslide decals online or at your local craft store, and there are no limits to what you can create. Get creative and have fun!
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