Q
I purchased a package of Decal Paper, other than SuperCal®, at my local hobby store.
The clerk told me I could use Last Step Decal Spray with the paper to print
a decal with my color ink jet printer.
IT DIDN'T WORK!
The ink bubbled up on the sheet, did not dry and made a mess in my printer.
What did I do wrong?
A
WARNING - Last Step Decal Spray is designed for use ONLY with
SuperCal® Ink Jet Decal Paper
In this case the clerk was wrong!
Last Step Decal Spray will only work with SuperCal Decal Paper.
The reason is because this spray is actually one of the coatings which we have
place on the SuperCal Ink Jet Decal Paper.
SuperCal® Ink Jet Paper is specially coated so that the ink used in
color ink jet printers will adhere to the surface of the sheet.
For that reason ...
The words SUPERCAL DECAL PAPER
are printed on the back of every sheet of SuperCal Paper.
The SuperCal® Ink Jet Decal System was developed
after years of research. Don't be mislead.
The SuperCal® Ink Jet Decal System works great when used as designed.
Realize if you accept anything else - if you try and "mix and match" -
you do it at your own risk!

Q
Where can I purchase SuperCal® Ink Jet Decals locally?
A
SuperCal® Ink Jet Decals are now available worldwide.
Contact your local hobby store.
If they do not have SuperCal®,
send us an e-mail ~ include your city, state and zip code ~
we will send you the name of a store in your area.
If you send us the name and address of your favorite store ....
we will contact them and let them know about the growing demand
for SuperCal® Decals. Send an e-mail to
locations@supercaldecals.com

Q
I purchase ink jet decal paper from another company. I am very unhappy with the
results. It just doesn't work as advertised. How do I know that your product is different?
A
Steve Singer, the President of Micro Format, invented SuperCal and
the process of using decal paper with a color ink jet printer.
Unfortunately there are companies who have unsuccessfully tried to copy
the SuperCal system. We cannot be blamed for their failure to make a product
that works!
The SuperCal Decal System works! Try it for your self and compare it to any
other "so called" ink jet paper available. You'll be amazed at the results.
SuperCal Decals are now available all across the USA and in over 20 countries
around the world. This happens when a product works as advertised.

Q
I printed SuperCal® Ink Jet Decal Paper on my color ink jet printer.
I sprayed it and let it dry over night. In the morning I cut around the image.
When I placed the decal into water, the ink ran, coloring the water.
What did I do wrong?
A
It sounds like you did not put a thick enough spray coating on the decal.
It is very important to spray until the decal has an even shine across
the entire sheet.

Q
Can SuperCal® Decal paper be used in a Laser Printer?
A
SuperCal® Decal Paper is designed for use in COLOR INK JET PRINTERS.
It may work in Laser printers but it was not invented for that purpose.

Q
Can SuperCal® Decal paper be used in an Alps Printer?
A
SuperCal® Decal Paper is designed for use in COLOR INK JET PRINTERS.
It may work in an Alps Printer but it was not invented for that purpose.

Q
I followed the instructions, printing a background on
WHITE SuperCal® Decal Paper.
When I put the decal into water, the background ink began to run
into the water from the edge of the sheet.
A
It sounds like the seal was broken when the decal paper was cut.
We suggest you spray after cutting around the image.
This will seal the edges around the image.

Q
I printed my decal using my HP printer.
The black in has very thin lines in it that looks like cracks in the ink.
This is not happening with the colors.
A
The Black ink used in many of the color ink jet printers is a different
formulation than the colored ink.
We suggest putting the paper setting at PHOTO GLOSS PAPER -
Highest resolution (click on the first resolution button)
You can also consider changing the black to "composite black."
To do this change the black in the graphic to a combination of
90% cyan, 90% magenta, 90% yellow.

Q
Will SuperCal® Ink Jet Decals adhere to metal?
A
SuperCal® Decals can be used on Metal, Glass, Plastic, Ceramic,
Finished Wood, Eggs, Mylar Balloons, Candles and many more surfaces.

Q
Is Last Step Decal Spray the same as "Krylon®" Spray with a different label on the can?
A
No!
While "Krylon®" products work great for the applications for which they were
designed, we have found that these sprays do not work well when used in place
of Last Step Decal Spray. Last Step Decal Spray is actually one of the coatings
which is used in the manufacturing process for SuperCal® Decal Paper.

Q
Is there any way to air brush a coating to replace the Last Step aerosol spray?
A
YES
The Last Step Coating is available in a one ounce bottle for
use with an air brush.

Q
Do I need to dilute Last Step Air Brush Coating or can I use it straight
from the bottle?
A
There is no need to dilute the Last Step Air Brush Coating.
There is an adapter cap available from BADGER AIR BRUSH that can be used to attach the Last Step Air Brush Coating bottle direct to the air brush.

Q
Can I use the Last Step Air Brush Coating in a pump bottle?
A
We have successfully poured the Last Step Decal Coating into a small pump bottle.
We have been able to pump a fine spray on to the SuperCal Decal Paper.

Q
How many coating are necessary when using the Last Step Air Brush Decal Coating?
A
Air brush 3 light coatings. You need to coat the sheet with enought coating to seal the ink. The same applies to using a pump to spray.

Q
I would like to know how to use this Supercal paper to put on tiles. I am making coasters using 4x4 tiles and I keep getting a lot of bubbles underneath the decal when I put decals on tiles.
How do I go about eliminating the bubbles?
A
I too have had problems putting down a larger decal.
Assuming the tile is white, try using a CLEAR SuperCal Decal.
Print the image as a "reverse image" on the sheet.
After printing, spray with Last Step Spray. Then cut the decal to size.
next wet (dampen) the tile. Place the dry decal sheet face down onto the tile
in the proper position. Now wet the back of the decal sheet.
I use a wet paper towel and blot the water onto the decal paper.
Make sure you wet the entire deal paper. Let it sit for about 20-30 seconds.
The paper backing should begin to slid off the decal,
leaving the decal in position on the tile. Carefully rub on the decal
to remove any air that may be under the decal.
You probably won't have anything to rub out.
This should solve you problem.

Q
Can I put an acrylic coating over SuperCal® Decals?
A
YES. You can place the same coatings over SuperCal® decals as you can over any other water slide decal.

Q
Is there a recommended solvent for removing old SuperCal decals?
The decals are applied to a powder-coated surface, and have not been
over sprayed with any kind of top coat or sealant. These originals are
scratched and I want to put on fresh decals in the same location.
A
I have used a product called "Goof Off".
This product comes in a pink bottle and is water-soluble spray.
It seems to break down the adhesive. The more concentrated product in the
small bottle also works but the spray seems to work best.
It is available in hardware stores.
I think any of the liquid "label remover" products will probably work.

Q
Why are the SuperCal® Decal Sheets so small?
A
SupeCal® Decal Sheets are 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"
There are a few reasons for this size.
Before you can spray, you need to print images over the entire sheet.
Once you spray the sheet, you cannot print any more images.
It is more cost effective to use a smaller sheet - less waste.
This size sheet can be printed using all of the popular color ink jet printers.

Q
How to I print larger images?
A
We suggest that you "tile" the image.
Printing a number of sheets for a larger image

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decal Paper without the Last Step Decal Spray
A
You must spray the SuperCal® Decal Sheet after you print with a
color ink jet printer. Last Step Decal Spray is actually one of the coatings
which is on the SuperCal® Ink Jet Decal paper.
When you spray, you are sealing the ink between the coatings on the paper
and the coating in the spray.

Q
In the past, images printed on SuperCal®Ink Jet Decal Paper were sharp
and clear. I just printed images the other day and noticed they appeared
fuzzy and not as sharp as they had been in the past.
A
To obtain the same qualtity as you have had in the past,
it is best to do a "print head cleaning" prior to printing on
SuperCal Decal Paper. A build up of ink on the print head may cause
blurred images.

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decals on Wood?
A
SuperCal Decals will hold to "finished" wood.
They will not adhere to an unfinished "raw" wood surface.

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decals on Cloth?
A
No

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decals on Skin ... like a tatoo?
A
No (and yes) -
Decals will not stick on skin without the use of another type adhesive.
Be sure to check out Super Color® Body Art Tattoos.

Q
Will the SuperCal system work for larger decals
(bicycle or riding toy for 3 year old)?
A
You can print a SUperCal decal as large as the sheet of SuperCal Decal Paper
5-1/2" x 8-1/2". The problem is the same as you would have with any large decal,
sliding the very thin film on to a surface. It can be done.

Q
Can I overcoat SuperCal® Decals once they have been put on an object?
A
Yes .. After the decal has dried, you can over spray with a coating of
Last Step Decal Spray OR with any spray you would normally use over a decal
including urethane spray.

Q
I printed images on SuperCal Ink Jet Decal Paper using my color ink jet printer.
The images looked great.
However when I sprayed the sheets using Last Step Decal Spray,
on some of the images I found what looked like small tears in the ink.
What happend?
A
While this is a rare problem, we have seen this happen once or twice
when the ink had not dried and set completely before spraying.
To avoid this problem, let the ink set for a number of hours before spraying.
This should solve the problem.

Q
How do I protect SuperCal® Decals from fuel.
I need to put deals on rockets and model airplanes.
A
You can spray SuperCal® Decals with the same spray you would use to protect
any other decal used in this situation.

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decal on my car (or motorcycle)
A
Yes ... HOWEVER
Realize that the ink used in color ink jet printers may fade from bright sunlight
This is due to the ink ... not the SuperCal® Decal material

Q
Reading your FAQ's gave me a great deal of information,
however, I noted when asked about decals for motorcycles you said the
"ink in inkjet printers may fade from bright sunlight."
Would an additional application of "Last Step Decal Spray" help
alleviate this problem?
A
Unfortunately no. We have not found any product that
successfully blocks UV to prevent fading.
I believe this problem will have to be solved by the ink manufacturers.

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decals to make mugs with photographs
A
Yes ... HOWEVER
Hand wash - SuperCal® Decals are not dishwasher safe

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decal in a kiln
A
NO
The ink used in color ink jet printers will burn up when put into a kiln

Q
Can I use SuperCal® Decal on Lexon RC models
A
Yes ...
You can place SuperCal® Decals on the inside of the model and then paint
over the decal.
We suggest using White SuperCal® Decals for this application
Print a NORMAL image ... it is not necessary to print a mirror image ...
place the decal printed image up against the surface.
SuperCal® Decals, will hold from either side.

Q
Can I use this product on the headstock of a guitar and spray over it with
lacquer?
A
Yes ... this is an excellent way to put a custom logo on your guitar.

Q
Can I use decal "softeners" with SuperCal® Decals
A
Yes ...
When placing on a railroad car for example
Be sure to put the softening liquid down on the surface first -
then place the decal on to of the liquid.

Q
WHITE ... How do I print white letter on SuperCal® Decal Paper
A
You cannot print the color white with your color ink jet printer.
For this reason we created WHITE SuperCal® Ink Jet Decal Paper.
To make this product we put a white pigment into the decal film.
To print WHITE LETTERS and NUMBERS
-- or to print graphics which have white areas --
on the screen create a block (rectangle). Next color the block the same color
as the color of the surface on to which you will be placing the decal.
Next type the words on top of the colored block.
Make the words white on the screen.
If you are drawing a graphic, place it on top of the colored block.
Next, print on WHITE SuperCal® Decal Paper. After you spray, cut around the image
leaving a small colored border around the "white" letters or graphic.
When you slide the decal onto the surface, the colored border will blend into
the color of the surface, appearing like a small shadow.

Use WHITE SuperCal® Decal Paper when printing photographs which will be put on
any surface other than white.

Q
In the past I have used another brand of white decal paper.
After printing from a laser printer I went to cut the decal out
leaving a thin border around the actual decal.
While trimming I always seem to get some flaking or cracking of the dark border.
Will this happen if I use your "white paper"? Thank You
A
Since SuperCal® Decal Paper is designed for use with ink ... not toner,
I do not think you will experience this problem.
We have never heard of a problem such as this with SuperCal.
Logic tells me that toner may be flaking off the sheet.
This will not happen with ink.
Remember, this is not just "another brand" of decal paper.
This is a unique system for making water slide decals
with color ink jet printers.
SuperCal Decal Paper is specially coated so that you can
use a color ink jet printer.
Last Step Decal Spray is actually one of the coatings
used on the SuperCal Decal Paper.
Thus when you spray the sheet after printing, you are sealing the ink
between the coatings on the paper and the coating in the spray.

Q
Hi, I've recently purchased white supercal decals and wondered if it's
possible to get photo realism with a high quality epson printer? I was told by a photographer that the printer will only print as good an image
as the paper will allow. Is the Supercal paper as capable as the the
photo paper for high quality images?
A
Just like high quality photo paper, SuperCal Decal Paper has been coated with
special ink jet coatings so that you can print the highest resolution photos
using your color ink jet printer. The photographer was partially correct.
While the printer will only print as good a quality as the paper will allow ....
the image will only be as good as the ink jet printer can print.