I'm watching the TV program "Craft In America" and an artist who works in ceramics was explaining the application of decals...

[Brian Austin]

and she compared the process to applying temporary tattoos.

 

Struck me as a very contemporary way to explain it.  ?

Edited December 17, 2022 by Brian Austin

[Dave Van]

And the ceramics industry is why almost all decal paper manufactures in the USA were forced out of business. I am a decal maker, have been for almost 40 years. Decal paper has gone from 10 cents for a 18 X 24 sheet to a 8.5 x 11 sheet costing $2 and a lower quality.  I had a supplier in FLA that made GREAT paper in all kinds of combinations.  Bought from them for 30+ years, had maybe one sheet that was bad. Big company that had to close overnight. All due to the US patent office allowing a woman to apply for a nd get a patent for 'water slide decal paper'. A process that has been around for well over 100 years.  WHY a patent was granted....who knows. Good old American system!!!!

Now you know more than you ever wanted to know about decals. 

[BlackSheep214]

Is there a YouTube video on the “decal application” from that show? I am curious on her “expertise” of decal applications.

[Brian Austin]

Here's the pertinent portion of the program (55 min episode with several artists profiled).  This episode is titled "Inspiration."

Her decal commentary runs from around 3:45 to 4:35.

 

Edited December 18, 2022 by Brian Austin