Decals and Transfers with Pat Nelson
Join Pat Nelson for an in-depth study of using decals with enamel! In this workshop you will learn how to work with premade commercial decals, as well as learning how to make your own by laser printing and silkscreening! Pat will take you through the unique abilities and attributes of each style of decal- from commercial, silkscreened, laser printed black, and full color digital decals- a journey from the technology of yesterday through tomorrow!
For each style of decal, you will learn how to prepare, apply, and fire them successfully. Then we move into what else you can do with them creatively!
Samples of each style of decal are included with the kit for this class, and Pat will also talk about where to obtain and create the different types.
Techniques covered include:
- A short history of various types of decals including makeup of colorants and manufacturing methods
- How to transfer commercial, screenprinted, laser printed, and digitally printed decals.
- How to fire all types of decals including detailed temperature information.
- How to create your own screens for making decals, including making inks and cressning
- How to use your own black and white images for screens or laser printed decals
- Preparing artwork for digital printing
- Using decals effectively with enamels- firings, color selection, etc.
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Recordings of this class are available for 30 days from the final class session.
A kit of materials is included with this class.
Tools
Classes at our school include use of tools, with each student having their own bench to use during class. Online students will need to have their own tools (see the list below). Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Tools for this Class
This is a list of tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class. A list of tools with recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
- Variety of Transparent and Opaque Enamels
- 6-8 Pre enameled tiles or copper shapes approx. 2” square- flat or low dome.
- Kiln
- Mesh firing rack
- Firing fork
- Old magazines or glossy pages that can be destroyed
- Trivets
- Heat protective gloves or similar
- CHEAP toaster oven
- Assortment of Brushes in a variety of sizes- Including a small pointed tip detail brush (0, 2/0, or 3/0)
- Sifters- 100 and 150 mesh
- Scriber or other pointed needle tool
- Precision tweezers
- Small sharp pointed scissors
- Container for water
- Rubber or plastic rib
- Golden OPEN Acrylic Gel Medium, matte or gloss
- Paper towels
- Drawing supplies including paper and pencil
- Dust mask
- Alundum stone or 3M Diapads for grinding
- Klyrfire A-1
- If you will be enameling domed forms you will also need a Fine Mist sprayer or Preval sprayer
- Lint free Paper towels
- Scotch brite (green scrub pad from grocery store)
- Dawn dish detergent
- Bowl for soaking decals
- Tray or aluminum foil to rest pieces on for the baking process
- A computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class
Prerequisites:
Basic enamel sifting and firing experience is required.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
We remain committed to keeping everyone as safe as possible while continuing to move forward and adapt to the current circumstances for our in person classes and open studios.
We recommend that in person students be vaccinated, but it's not required.
Face masks are encouraged while at the school, but no longer required. Students must bring a particulate face mask (N95, KN95, KF94 or similar) to protect against dust and particles when needed and required during class work time.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.