Bobcat's Favorite Sealers for Inkjet Waterslide Decals (Amazon Finds)
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Printing your own waterslide decals on an inkjet printer? Then this one's for you! Inkjet ink is water-based, so if you soak your decal without sealing it first, the ink will smear or wash right off. A few light coats of clear acrylic spray sealer fixes that. Bobcat, our shop cat and official product tester, rounded up the sealers we recommend most.
Quick note: the decals you buy from us are printed on laser waterslide paper, so they're ready to soak right out of the package with no sealing needed. These sealers are for decals you print at home on an inkjet printer, like our digital decal sheets.
Bobcat's Favorite Sealers for Inkjet Waterslides
1. Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer, Gloss
A crafter classic! It dries crystal clear, won't yellow, and gives your decals a nice shiny finish. Great for tumblers and mugs where you want your colors to really pop.
Shop Mod Podge Gloss Sealer on Amazon
2. Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic, Gloss
A clear, glossy acrylic spray that goes on smooth and dries fast, so you can get to soaking sooner.
Shop Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss on Amazon
3. Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X, Gloss Clear
An easy-to-find gloss clear spray with a comfort tip that sprays from any angle. Nice to have on hand if you're sealing a lot of sheets at once.
Shop Rust-Oleum Gloss Clear on Amazon
4. Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer, Matte
Same Mod Podge you know, in a matte finish. Pick this one when you want a soft, non-shiny look with less glare.
Shop Mod Podge Matte Sealer on Amazon
5. Krylon Crystal Clear, Matte
A matte clear spray that protects your print without adding shine.
Shop Krylon Crystal Clear Matte on Amazon
Gloss or Matte?
- Gloss makes colors look bright and shiny. It's a great match if you'll be sealing your tumbler with epoxy or resin.
- Matte gives a softer, low-glare finish. Nice for a more subtle, printed look.
How to Seal Inkjet Waterslide Decals: Step by Step
- Print on inkjet waterslide paper. Make sure it says inkjet, not laser. Use your printer's best quality setting.
- Let the ink dry completely. Give it at least 30 minutes (longer if the print is very dark or heavy on ink).
- Spray a light first coat. Hold the can about 10-12 inches away and sweep across the sheet in smooth, even passes. Light is better than heavy!
- Let it dry, then add 2-3 more light coats, letting each one dry before the next.
- Let the final coat dry fully before you cut and soak your decal.
- Apply like normal. Follow our Waterslide Decal Directions to soak, slide and smooth.
Bobcat's tip: Always spray outside or somewhere with good airflow, and do a quick test on a scrap piece first. A heavy coat can make the ink bleed, so slow and light wins every time! 🐾
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to seal inkjet waterslide decals?
Yes. Inkjet ink is water-based, so it will run or smear when it gets wet. Sealing it with a clear acrylic spray locks the ink in before you soak it.
Do I need to seal laser waterslide decals?
No! Laser toner doesn't run in water, so laser waterslide decals (like the ones we sell) can go straight into the water.
How many coats of sealer should I use?
We recommend 2-3 light coats, letting each one dry in between. A few thin coats protect better than one heavy coat.
Can I use inkjet paper in a laser printer?
No. Waterslide paper is made for one printer type only, so always match the paper to your printer. Not sure which you have? Most home printers that use ink cartridges are inkjet. Check out our laser vs. inkjet guide for more.
What waterslide paper do you use?
We print every order on Hayes waterslide paper, and Hayes makes both laser and inkjet versions. Shop Hayes Paper and use code SCINOT for 15% off!
Don't Want to Seal Anything?
Bobcat gets it! Our ready-made waterslide decals are laser printed, so there's no sealing needed before you soak. Just cut, soak, slide and smooth. Happy crafting! 🐾
