How to Make Custom Guitar Decals
Whether you’re looking for a way to customize an instrument or simply dress it up, decals are a quick, affordable and permanent option. Unlike traditional stickers that may damage the surface of your custom guitar decals, dry transfers adhere to smooth surfaces and can be easily removed or replaced if you ever decide to change your look.
Do people still buy stickers?
Waterslide decals are a great option for guitars because they come in different sizes to fit your headstock and can be printed with a variety of images such as bands logos, signatures or modified pictures. To get started, design your image in a graphics-editing program such as Photoshop or Paint Pro and print it on decal water transfer paper (as opposed to normal printer paper). The special paper is meant to work with a laserjet printer for a sharper picture but an inkjet can be used too.
Once you have your design printed, cut it close to the size of the headstock and soak it in warm water for a few minutes. This will soften the adhesive and make it easier to apply by allowing you to slide the decal around, removing any wrinkles or bubbles.
After applying the decal, gently buff it with a dry cloth to remove any remaining water or adhesive. Once the decal is firmly set and dried, you’re ready to seal it with a clear coat to make it water and smudge proof. This will also protect your new decal from fading or scratching, giving it a high-end, professional finish.
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