How To: Create a Decal Strip Bowl

Create a colourful bowl using decals and clear glass in this project.

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You will need:

To make a decal strip bowl:

Cut two pieces of Tekta 3mm glass to the desired size and shape to fit your mould, clean and set aside.
Tear strips of coloured decal paper in your chosen colours.
Remove the wax paper barrier, if any, from the decal surface.
Soak the decal strips in shallow tub of warm water until they easily slide off the paper. Change the water frequently to remove impurities.
Place your decals on both pieces of Tekta. Overlapping decals in some areas will result in a more intense colour.
After applying the decals, use a paper towel to blot excess water and gently smooth out any wrinkles or air or water bubbles. If bubbles are not gently rubbed out, a tiny hole will pop through the decal when fired.
All moisture must be removed prior to firing. Overnight drying is highly recommended.
Tack fire your Tekta layers separately to fix the decals.
Once tack fired sift a very thin layer of clear powder over your base piece of glass, place your next layer on top and fire to a full fuse (see schedule below).
After firing, slump into your mould according to your mould instructions.

Full Fuse Firing Schedule (for glass 6mm thick):

Tips:

It is easier to apply the decal directly from the paper to the glass piece. Leaving it in the water too long will result in the decal floating off the base paper and it will be difficult to apply.
Soft Silicone Rib tools are ideal for smoothing decals onto glass to eliminate bubbles. They are available on our website.
This technique works equally well whether you use many colours of decal or you stick to just one colour.
Slumping schedules vary according to the particular mould you are using. The slumping schedule is available on the product page for all the moulds we stock, on our website.