Cool Tools | Applying Decals to Enamel Art by Karen Trexler

If you are interested in the products used in this video, please click this link: cooltools.us/collections/appl...
In this video, Karen demonstrates how to apply decals onto enameled pieces. This is a simple process that can give your enameled pieces a look that is next level! These decals can be used with ceramic, porcelain, glass or enamel.

[@Myfurevermemories]

Great job in explaining!!

[@aliceharvey3019]

Beautiful pieces. Love your videos, nice job.

[@couldwellbe4227]

Thank you so much. This has been so helpful ❤

[@HallingAdventures]

Do you know what the official name is for this process?

[@EllenJB]

Very cool! Your vocal quality is getting better; less "vocal fry." You give great instructions and explanations without being too wordy. Keep up the great work.

[@elaineware3969]

So is the there three or four firings? What’s the last firing? What temp and how long a hold?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Elaine, Sorry that wasn't clear. There are two phases for firing these decals. The first phase consists of 3 steps, or programing segments, as illustrated by the chart in the video, where the decal is slowly brought up to 800 degrees. For the first phase you start your enamel pieces with decals applied in a cold kiln, and program it with the three segments according to the chart. For the second phase, you are just firing your decals into the enamel now that the binders have been slowly burned away and only the ink remains. Once your enamels have been removed from your kiln from the preparatory 1st phase, program your kiln to 1420 and allow it to come up to temp. You don't need to program a specific hold, as you'll be pulling your enamels from the kiln while they are hot- so if you have lots to do maybe you program your kiln for a couple of hours as you can always cancel the program when you are done (there's nothing more disappointing than being ready to fire and realize your program timed out and your kiln is cold! lol) Once your kiln is up to 1420, you'll then place your enamel into the kiln, this time on a trivet, as if you were just refusing the enamel-- this will fuse the decal into the enamel. This will vary depending upon the color of enamel you are firing the decal into and the size of your piece, but will usually be somewhere around a minute or two. You just pull your piece out of the kiln once the enamel has achieved the orange glow typical of fusing enamel, so there isn't necessarily a hold for this final programing. Hope this helped clear things up, Karen

[@kyombik]

Do you need to apply a layer of enamel onto the copper disk - and fire, before you can add the decal??

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Kimberly, yes. You would need to fire the enamel onto the copper before applying the decal. Thanks for watching!

[@user-ot6kf1qz1b]

Where do you get your decals from?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hello, you can find these enamel decals here: cooltools.us/collections/enameling-decals Thanks for watching!

[@silenebio]

Is it possible to make decals with torch??

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Silene, you need a kiln for this technique. Decals need the specific slow ramp burn off and such and you don’t have the control like that with a torch. Thanks for watching!

[@aijadaukste8206]

@@cooltoolsvideos Hi! Thank you for the useful video. Is it possible to fuse a decal on enamel surface in an oven (max 950 degrees) so that it' not possible to scratch it off? Regarding described phases - do I need to take out enamels from an oven between the phases and wait till they are cold again? And in total there are 4 phases, right?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

@@aijadaukste8206 Hi Aija, I recommend following the instructions. You can find them here: www.cooltools.us/v/vspfiles/assets/pdf/Decals_on_Enamel_Instructions.pdf Thanks for watching!

[@aijadaukste8206]

Thank you for the pdf. Please precise which kiln you recommend? Paragon SC3? I want to fuse waterslide decals on enamel mugs. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the given instructions suit as well for my idea. Will be waiting for your reply

[@cooltoolsvideos]

@@aijadaukste8206 Hi Aija, the Paragon SC3 is essentially the same kiln as the SC2, just a little bit bigger. We like to recommend the SC2. You can find it here: www.cooltools.us/Paragon-SC2-Kiln-p/kln-101-p.htm If you are open to other brands than Paragon, we always recommend the Evenheat Kingpin 88. It is a comparable kiln to the SC2, but a little cheaper: www.cooltools.us/Evenheat-Kingpin-88-p/kln-971-p.htm If you plan on enameling, you will want to purchase a kiln with a window. Yes, you will be able to use these kilns for what you would like to do. Hope this helps, if you have any other questions feel free to reach out to us at [e-mail] or 888.478.5060